Whitmore Pushes Government On Bellevue Land Sale

Those 197 acres…

atest press release from Deputy Jennifer Whitmore, issued on Thursday, May 22nd 2025…

Social Democrat TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has once again called on the Government to act swiftly and purchase lands adjoining the Glen of the Downs, during a Dáil debate on Biodiversity this week.

She has warned that the opportunity to protect this iconic ancient woodland could soon be lost.

“The Glen of the Downs is incredibly close to my heart,” Deputy Whitmore said. “It’s one of Ireland’s most iconic ancient woodlands, and we now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand and protect it for future generations. But the clock is ticking.”

Deputy Whitmore has urged Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, to expedite the Government’s decision to purchase these lands, citing fears that private bidders may move in and fragment the site further.

“We have some of the most beautiful and ecologically important sites in Ireland, but they are not being used or protected properly. Our National Parks and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) should be at the heart of our nature restoration efforts,” Deputy Whitmore explained.

“The purchase of this land would not only help us to align with our requirements to purchase and protect land for nature within the Nature Restoration Law, but it would also serve the generations to come by safeguarding this piece of natural heritage and allowing it to thrive. We must grasp these opportunities when they arise,” Deputy Whitmore pleaded.

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore has been actively campaigning for the public purchase of the Glen of the Downs lands since the 200 acres of land was first listed for sale, in autumn of 2024. She started a petition to call on Government to purchase this land to expand the Glen of the Downs, which garnered huge support, with over 5000 signatures. She then held a public meeting in late September, to bring the local community together with experts in nature restoration.

Her call for public purchase of this land was supported by An Taisce, the Irish Wildlife Trust, the Native Woodland Trust, and ReWild Wicklow, who wrote a joint open letter to then Taoiseach Simon Harris expressing that support. Minister of State for Biodiversity at the time, Malcolm Noonan, had stated that the National Parks and Wildlife Service would consider this purchase. In late October, Deputy Whitmore presented Simon Harris, who made similar statements regarding the possibility of a purchase, with her 5000-signature long petition calling upon his government to purchase these lands.

In early April of 2025, Deputy Whitmore wrote to new Minister of State for Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, inviting him to visit the Glen of the Downs to experience its beauty and calling upon him to get the ball rolling on the public purchase of these 200 acres. She received a favourable response to this invitation, and she hopes to welcome him down to Wicklow soon.

“It’s been about 9 months since the 200 acres in the Glen of the Downs first went up for sale and there is a real risk that parts of this land will be soon sold off to private interests, and we will lose the chance to protect and enhance this incredible site.

“I am calling on the Government to stop dragging its feet and make the right decision – for nature, for the community, and for Ireland’s future,” Deputy Whitmore concluded.