Major Intel-backed peatland restoration project in Wicklow Mountains National Park to be expanded
The Wicklow PeopleA critical environmental milestone has been reached for one of Ireland’s most ambitious nature conservation projects, which has been backed by Intel Corporation.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has officially issued a determination on screening for appropriate assessment, providing the final legal clearance for expanded restoration works within the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The decision confirms that the proposed conservation measures, focused heavily on the Liffey Head Bog, will not negatively impact the integrity of the protected site. Instead, the works are now deemed to be “directly connected to and necessary” for the health of the mountain ecosystem.
Liffey Head Bog, the source of the River Liffey, has suffered decades of degradation from historical drainage, erosion, and overgrazing. The upcoming phase of the project aims to re-wet the landscape, transforming it from a carbon-emitting wasteland back into a vibrant, carbon-storing sponge.
Key actions scheduled for the coming months include using sustainable timber and stone dams to slow water runoff, utilising helicopters to transport materials into remote, sensitive areas to avoid ground damage from heavy machinery and implementing strict no-fly zones and seasonal work windows to protect nesting birds like the Merlin and Red Grouse.
The project is a flagship collaboration between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Intel Corporation, marking a successful public-private approach to water stewardship.
By restoring the bog’s natural water-retention capacity, the project is expected to safeguard millions of litres of water for the Poulaphouca Reservoir, a primary drinking water source for the Greater Dublin Area.
The move aligns with the newly launched Wicklow Biodiversity Action Plan 2026–2031. While the NPWS manages the high-altitude restoration, Wicklow County Council is coordinating local efforts to ensure these nature-based solutions improve flood resilience for downstream communities.
While the NPWS leads the on-the-ground restoration within the SAC, the local authority acts as a critical strategic partner, coordinator, and planning authority.
The council ensures that these high-level conservation projects align with local laws and long-term county goals.
Launched in February 2026, the council’s new Biodiversity Action Plan provides the local framework for nature recovery at scale. It identifies the uplands as a priority area for cooperative strategies to reduce overgrazing and support natural regeneration.
The council integrates these peatland projects into its Climate Action Plan 2024–2029, viewing the restored bogs as essential carbon sinks to help meet the county's goal of a 51pc reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
As the designated competent authority for many local developments, the council manages the environmental standards surrounding the SAC.
For any projects near the SAC (like new trails or local infrastructure), the council conducts its own appropriate assessment screenings to ensure they don't interfere with the NPWS conservation measures.
Through the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028, the council mandates strict ecological assessments for any development that could impact the sensitive mountain habitats.
Environmental groups including Rewild Wicklow have welcomed the determination, noting that the project serves as a blueprint for how the county can meet its 2030 climate and biodiversity targets through large-scale landscape recovery.