| Vale of Clara | |
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  Vale of Clara Location of the Vale of Clara in Ireland | |
| Type | National |
| Location | County Wicklow |
| Coordinates | 52°56′31″N 6°14′20″W / 52.942°N 6.239°W / 52.942; -6.239 |
| Area | 545 acres (220.55 ha) |
| Operated by | National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) |
| Status | Open all year |
Vale of Clara (Irish: Gleann an Chláraigh)[1] is a national nature reserve of approximately 545 acres (2.21 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.
The Vale of Clara was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1983.[2] The Special Area of Conservation, Ballygannon Wood, is contained within the Vale of Clara nature reserve.[3]
The Vale of Clara, sometimes known as Clara Vale Forest,[4] is a fragmented oak woodland set over a large area, with the largest semi-natural woods in County Wicklow. It is possibly the largest native hardwood wood in Ireland. This area has been partially covered in trees since the Ice Age.[5] There is also a variety of hazel, willow, holly, and birch trees as well as bluebells, bilberry, honeysuckle, and wood sorrel. Some of the birds which inhabit the woodlands include buzzards, woodcock, tree-creepers, and redstarts[4] alongside fallow deer.[6]
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