Minister O’Sullivan encourages everyone to discover their local Natura 2000 site
- Published on: 21 May 2025
- Last updated on: 22 May 2025
- Natura 2000 sites protect valuable species and habitats in Ireland and Europe
- Natura 2000 Day is part of National Biodiversity Week
Some of Ireland’s most valuable places for nature are in the spotlight today (21 May) as we join with other countries across the European Union to celebrate Natura 2000 day. Ireland is home to more than 600 Natura 2000 sites, which protect a wide range of valuable habitats and species under the EU Habitats Directive (Special Areas of Conservation) and the Birds Directive (Special Protection Areas).
The Natura 2000 Network includes over 27,000 protected sites across the EU, covering nearly 20% of Europe’s land and almost 10% of its marine waters. It is the world’s largest network of protected sites.
NPWS is supporting Bioblitzes and other events in Natura sites around the country to mark Natura 2000 Day and throughout National Biodiversity Week. Bioblitzes are events which bring together scientists and citizen scientists to record as many species as possible in a short time at a Natura 2000 site. During the week NPWS staff are hosting Bioblitzes at sites including St Gobnet’s Wood SAC in Cork, Connemara National Park, Coole Park in Co Galway and Killarney National Park in Co Kerry.
Speaking on Natura 2000 Day, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan encouraged members of the public to discover their local Natura 2000 site:
“The Natura 2000 network includes some of the finest examples of habitats and species we have in this country and in Europe. It is a network of protected sites which highlights the biodiverse and unique natural heritage in Ireland and in Europe.
“With over 600 Natura sites around Ireland, there’s one near you, so take this opportunity to find it, sign up for an event and learn about how important these sites are for biodiversity and our environment.
“Conservation is a shared responsibility and today is an opportunity for everyone to learn about a site near you and how it is being managed and protected for future generations.”
Natura 2000 day is also an opportunity to recognise the restoration work that landowners and the NPWS are undertaking together on Natura 2000 sites. These include projects focused on actively restoring raised and blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directive. The results of this work are very encouraging and recent surveys are showing significant positive trends in respect of raised bog sites, which are beginning to move towards more favourable conservation condition. Old Oak woodland is being restored in Glen of the Downs SAC, Co. Wicklow by removing the invasive alien species Cherry Laurel, and Lapwing are being protected in Co. Mayo in the Termoncarragh lake and Annagh Machair SPA, a newly installed nest protection fence has seen pairs of breeding lapwing reach over sixty breeding pairs in 2025.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General with the NPWS said:
“The Natura 2000 network is a central part of our natural heritage in Ireland. It protects some of the most unique sites for habitats and species on land and at sea. Many of the sites in the network in Ireland are in public ownership and are accessible, for example, our National Parks, while other sites are in private ownership. The landowners and stakeholders in all the sites in Ireland are working together to protect and restore these vitally important habitats and species. Natura 2000 day is a reminder of the diverse and unique natural heritage we have and can be proud of in Ireland.”
Further information
To find a protected site in your area visit www.npws.ie/protected-sites
To find an event in your area during National Biodiversity Week in your area visit www.biodiversityweek.ie
NPWS events for Natura 200 Day include Bioblitzes at St. Gobnet’s Wood SAC in Cork on the 22nd-23rd May, in Connemara National Park (21st May) and Coole Park, Co. Galway (16th-18th May), and in Killarney National Park on May 24th as well as a networking event on Natura 2000 day (21st May) in Glenveagh National Park during their Biodiversity Festival Le Chéile don Dúlra, Together for Nature.