Wicklow Mountains bog restoration project gets go-ahead for next phase after key review
The Wicklow PeopleA review into a blanket bog restoration project currently underway in the Wicklow Mountains National Park (WMNP) has found the project is likely not to have a significant effect on the Special Area Of Conservation (SAC).
In May 2021 the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Intel Corporation launched a blanket bog restoration project in the WMNP that will initially see 60 hectares of drained bog re-wetted to increase water storage levels in part of the River Liffey headwaters by an expected 50-90 million litres.
These headwaters supply the Poulaphouca (Blessington) reservoir, a drinking water source for the Greater Dublin Area. The bog restoration will also protect biodiversity, improve carbon storage, and is likely to improve water quality.
There is an estimated 4,000 hectares of degraded blanket bog in the national park in Wicklow. Degraded blanket bog is caused by a range of land use activities including drainage.
It is more susceptible to damage from extreme weather events such as intense rainfall and extended periods of drought, which are projected to occur more frequently with climate change.
This public-private project collaboration is one of the first of its kind in Ireland for water restoration and the protection of biodiversity.
On August 22, 2025, Heritage Minister James Browne asked for a screening of the site to take place in advance of the proposed acquisition of LiDAR and high resolution ortho-imagery, which will allow the project to move to the next phase.
LiDAR and ortho-imagery data is required for detailed planning of bog restoration projects within the SAC. Currently there is an estimated 400 ha of bare peat, plus an unquantified amount of drained and cutover areas.
LiDAR data will inform the production of detailed restoration plans and will be a cost saving over traditional ground surveying.
This method provides the best accuracy and resolution for acquiring the height of both the terrain and any above ground features such as trees and other vegetation.
The proposed project will involve approximately 6 operational flights with a total of 66 flight lines expected to cover the entire site. All flights will be conducted at a cruising altitude of a minimum 1600 metres above sea level, with a minimum vertical separation of between 800m to 1000m maintained throughout.
Following an analysis of the activity, the review found the acquisition of LiDAR and high resolution ortho-imagery within the SAC is “entirely comprised of activities that directly support the conservation objectives of these European sites.”
“It can be concluded with certainty that the project is a necessary conservation measure that is directly connected with or necessary for the management of the sites,” it added.
In a parliamentary update provided to Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore in September 2025, junior minister Christopher O’Sullivan highlighted the 18 months of technical baseline investigations that were undertaken since the project launched over four years ago. He revealed that “due to the complexity of the ground conditions encountered during these baseline investigations, the project was split into several phases.”
“This project demonstrates best practice in peatland restoration and innovative financing to achieve our restoration targets,” he added.
Phase 1 of the works experimented with different management measures to optimise cost-benefits with respect to ecological restoration.
This experimental phase was completed in 2023.
Phases 2 and 3 included further geotechnical and geophysical investigations and the expansion of the restoration footprint to 100 hectares.
A separate project which involves the acquisition of helicopter support for the continued restoration of peatland habitats within a three-hectare site at Barnacullian ridge has also been given the green light, subject to certain conditions.
These peatland restoration works have previously been subject to an environmental assessment which include erecting grazing enclosures, gully blocking and bare peat re-vegetation.
To mitigate helicopter disturbance to breeding birds and species of SAC interest, pilots will be asked to create flight maps with exclusion zones around active nests and use buffer zones during the breeding season, which vary based on species and habitat.
During flight, pilots will be directed to maintain a high altitude of at least 1,000 feet (or higher if possible) over nesting and roosting areas, avoid flying during dawn and dusk, and be prepared to adjust routes to avoid known breeding territories.
Maps identifying sensitive areas will be provided to the flight team to facilitate the implementation of these mitigation measures.
During the works the site will be fenced off, heather brash will be cut and spread across all areas of bare peat, timber dams will be constructed in the gullies, and re-seeding will take place to encourage vegetation to begin to grow on the bare peat.
Helicopter support will be availed of for the delivery of core materials to the site.