Glenealo | |
---|---|
Gleann Abhlach | |
| |
Location | County Wicklow, Ireland |
Coordinates | 53°00′40″N 6°23′24″W / 53.011°N 6.39°W |
Area | 4,838 acres (19.58 km2) |
Governing body | National Parks and Wildlife Service |
Glenealo Valley ( Irish: Gleann Abhlach, meaning 'The Valley of the Apple Trees') is a national nature reserve of approximately 4,838 acres (19.58 km2) located in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Glenealo Valley was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1988. [1] The reserve is primarily an open valley set within the Wicklow Mountains, with a large plateau area of peatland and mixed heathland. [2] The area was the site of a former mine, which was closed in the 1950s. A population of feral goats live in the area, descended from the goats the miners left behind in the valley when the mine was abandoned. [3]
The valley forms part of the 10km Spinc and Glenealo Valley Loop walking trail. [4] [5]