This Bellevue Land Is Finally Our Land

This land is our land…?

atest press release from Jennifer Whitmore TD, issued on Wednesday, November 26th 2025…

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed confirmation that the State has purchased the 100 acres of land adjacent to the Glen of the Downs. She has describeed this as a “a major and long-awaited step that finally secures public ownership of this vital land.”

“I have been calling for this for over a year now, going back to the petition I launched in October 2024 that garnered the support of 5,000 local residents and environmental experts. I have hosted public meetings and had my calls for this public purchase supported by An Taisce, the Irish Wildlife Trust, the Native Woodland Trust, and ReWild Wicklow,” Deputy Whitmore explained.

“Back in 2024, Minister of State for Biodiversity at the time, Malcolm Noonan, had stated that the National Parks and Wildlife Service would consider this purchase. Since then, I have tried to encourage and indeed invited new Minister for Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, to visit the Glen of the Downs, and have been repeatedly calling upon the Government to step in and finally get this purchase over the line,” Deputy Whitmore continued. “This is a really momentous day for me.”

The 197 acres at Bellevue

“This purchase is hugely significant. The Glen of the Downs is not only an iconic Wicklow landscape but also a vital ecological corridor. Over the past year, the community has been incredibly active and vocal in demanding that this land be protected, restored and placed firmly in public hands. Today’s announcement shows that sustained community pressure works.”

Deputy Whitmore noted that the newly purchased land forms an essential part of the broader 200-acre area that she has repeatedly urged the Government to secure in full.

“For far too long, this area has been at risk of fragmented private sales that would have undermined biodiversity, public access and long-term restoration efforts. The State’s decision to step in marks a turning point, one that must be built upon,” Deputy Whitmore added.

“Today’s news is extremely welcome, but it cannot be the end of the story,” Deputy Whitmore continued. “The remaining lands must now also be prioritised for public purchase. This is a moment of real opportunity, both for nature restoration and for ensuring that the people of Wicklow have lasting, meaningful access to this exceptional landscape,” Deputy Whitmore concluded.

“I’ll be engaging with the Minister for Biodiversity in the coming days to seek clarity on next steps and to push the Government to finally complete the job. Our campaign has shown what persistent community advocacy can achieve, and I will continue to push for full transparency and decisive action.”