Deputy's Pass Nature Reserve cSAC Site Code 717 Co. Wicklow

National Parks & Wildlife Service 

Conservation Statement 2009 

Deputy’s Pass Nature 

Reserve cSAC 

Site Code 717 

Co. Wicklow

SUMMARY 

Introduction 

Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC has been designated as a candidate Special Area of 

Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. The site has been designated as a cSAC because it 

contains good quality Old sessile oak woods, an Annex I habitat listed under the EU Habitats 

Directive. 

Nature Conservation Value of Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve 

cSAC 

Deputy’s Pass, which is a remnant of the once extensive Glenealy oak woods, is a good example of 

oak woodland that is characteristic of the relatively dry valleys of the Wicklow Mountains. The 

sessile oak wood is largely of coppice origin, but has a typical oakwood structure and species 

composition. The planting of conifers and non-native deciduous species, especially Beech, has 

damaged the site. Though the site is relatively small it is considered a good example of the type of 

old oak wood that is characteristic of the Wicklow Mountains. The oak woods have well-developed 

vegetation and the structure and functions of the wood are generally good. The areas of mixed 

woodland (deciduous and coniferous) to the east and south of the oak wood provide a continuum of 

woodland cover and if managed for conservation could extend the area of oak dominated wood. 

Description of Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC 

Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC comprises 48 ha near Glenealy, Co Wicklow. Deputy’s Pass 

was designated as a Statutory Nature Reserve in 1982. The site is situated on the eastern flanks of a 

glacial overflow channel, aligned in a south-west to north-east direction, with the underlying rock a 

mixture of Cambrian and Lower Silurian deposits. 

The dominant community is old Sessile Oak woods with Holly and Hard Fern, which is 

characteristic of the valleys of the Wicklow Mountains. The Sessile Oak is of coppice origin, 70-80 

years old, which forms a nearly closed canopy. Other tree species present are Rowan, Holly, and 

Birch, which occur mainly at the edges. Oak saplings, with Holly and Hazel, form the scrub layer. 

Wood-rush, Bilberry, Hard Fern and Bramble dominate the understorey vegetation. Heather and 

Bracken are abundant in some areas with Bluebells, Male Fern, Hay-scented Buckler Fern, Wood 

Sanicle and Wood Sorrel being common. 

The regeneration of native trees and the good ground cover show a lack of grazing, and deer appear 

to be at a low density. Approximately 25% of the site is occupied by 20-30 years old plantations of 

Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, Norway Spruce, European Larch and Scots Pine. 

Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government 1 CS Version 1.01 2009

2 Conservation Statement Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC — Site Code 717 

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) own the entire site and the main land use is 

nature conservation. There is a right of way through the site and recreation, such as walking and 

horse riding, is carried out within the site. Coillte own the trees within the commercial forestry 

sections. 

Main Conservation Objectives 

• To maintain the Annex I habitat for which the cSAC has been selected at favourable 

conservation status; Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles (50% 

area of the site) 

• To maintain the extent, species richness and biodiversity of the entire site 

• To enhance the educational and amenity use of the site 

• To establish effective liaison and co-operation with landowners, legal users and relevant 

authorities 

Main Management Issues 

• Commercial forestry 

• Dumping 

• Footpaths 

• Horse riding 

• Invasive species 

• Lack of regeneration 

• Small size 

Scientific Monitoring and Inspection 

Monitoring of Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC will be carried out by the Monitoring Section 

of the NPWS to determine if the Annex I habitat, Old sessile oak woods, is being maintained at 

favourable conservation status. Regular inspection of the site by regional NPWS staff will identify 

any major changes that occur. 

Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government CS Version 1.01 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Summary .......................................................................................................................................................1 

Reader’s Guide .......................................................................................................................................................5 

Legal Background....................................................................................................................................................6 

Nature Conservation Legislation .........................................................................................................................6 

Roles of Government Departments and Agencies..............................................................................................7 

Implications of Site Designation for Landowners and other Site Users ..............................................................9 

Nature Conservation Value of Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC...................................................................10 

Reason for Designation of Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC....................................................................10 

Conservation Value of Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC ..........................................................................10 

Conservation Objectives ...................................................................................................................................11 

Site Description .....................................................................................................................................................12 

Location Including Site Boundaries...................................................................................................................12 

Legal Status.......................................................................................................................................................13 

Physical Features..............................................................................................................................................13 

Biological Features............................................................................................................................................14 

Land Use ...........................................................................................................................................................17 

Management Issues ..........................................................................................................................................18 

Scientific Monitoring & Inspection..........................................................................................................................20 


4 Conservation Plan for Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC — Site Code 717 

APPENDICES 

Appendix I: Glossary..............................................................................................................................................21 

Appendix II: Reference Material ............................................................................................................................25 

Appendix III: Climate..............................................................................................................................................26 

Appendix IV: Detailed Information on Flora and Fauna ........................................................................................27 

Appendix V: Compensation Procedures................................................................................................................29 

Appendix VI: Notifiable Actions..............................................................................................................................30 

Appendix VII: National Parks and Wildlife Contact Details....................................................................................39 

MAPS 

Map 1 Site Location and Boundary Map (Ver. 1.00) 

Map 2 Indicative Habitat Map 


READER’S GUIDE 

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of the Environment, Heritage 

and Local Government (DEHLG) has produced this document to provide ecological information 

about Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC and to outline the main objectives for the conservation 

of the special features of the site. 

The Legal background section outlines the legislative and policy drivers for the site’s designation 

and identifies the relevant authorities with responsibilities in relation to the site. 

The Nature Conservation Value section describes the reasons for the site designation and lists 

the site specific Consevation Objectives. 

The Site Description section contains general information on the site’s boundaries and ownership 

and on the statutory bodies with responsibility for its conservation. It also contains sections on the 

physical aspects of the site such as the geology and hydrology as well as the biological features, 

in particular, the habitats and species found there. Land use and cultural features are also 

described. 

The Scientific Monitoring and Inspection section outlines the methodologies used for monitoring 

the conservation status of the site and identifying any changes that occur. 

The appendices include a glossary where scientific and technical terms are explained, reference 

material consulted in the preparation of the statement and a list of notifiable actions relevant to 

each habitat within the site. 


LEGAL BACKGROUND 

Nature Conservation Legislation 

The legal basis for selection and designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) is the EU 

Habitats Directive, which was adopted in 1992. Focusing on the conservation of natural and seminatural 

habitats and species of flora and fauna, the Habitats Directive seeks to establish “Natura 

2000”, a network of protected areas throughout the European Community. The Habitats Directive 

includes a list of habitats that require SAC designation and specific conservation measures. This 

list is known as Annex I and the habitats are referred to as Annex I habitats. On this list, habitats 

that require special attention because they are in danger of disappearance, are termed ‘priority 

habitats’. A second list, Annex II in the Habitats Directive comprises species that must be afforded 

special protection. 

In Ireland, the habitats and species that must be afforded protection under the Habitats Directive 

include: 

16 Annex I priority habitats that require particular attention – including raised bogs, active blanket 

bogs, turloughs and machair, 

45 other Annex I habitats – such as certain types of heaths, lakes and woodlands, 

25 Annex II species – including Otter, Freshwater Pearl Mussel and Killarney Fern. 

It is the responsibility of each member state to designate SACs to protect the Annex I habitats and 

Annex II species. These sites, together with the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under 

the EU Birds Directive (1979), form the European “Natura 2000” network. 

The Birds Directive contains annexes, which are lists of birds that require particular conservation 

measures (Annex I), and also species that may be hunted, and species that may be sold. There are 

28 Annex I species regularly occurring in Ireland including Whooper Swan, Greenland Whitefronted 

Goose, Peregrine Falcon, Corncrake and Terns. Member states are also required to protect 

wetlands and their associated water birds and sites that are important for migratory species such as 

ducks, geese and waders 

The Habitats Directive was transposed into Irish law through the European Communities 

(Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. The Wildlife Act 1976 is the main statute governing the 

protection of wildlife in Ireland and was amended in 2000 to take account of European law, 

particularly the Habitats and Birds Directives. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 also makes 

legal provision for the designation and protection of a national network of Natural Heritage Areas 

(NHAs). Over 1,100 proposed NHAs were published in 1995 and almost 400 of these are also 

selected as candidate SACs. 


Legal Background 

The European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 include the following points: 

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government must transmit a candidate list 

of sites to the European Commission for consideration. 

Following adoption of this list by the Commission, the Minister will formally designate the sites as 

SACs. 

Sites are legally protected once they are publicly advertised. 

Landowners and other users with a legal entitlement should be notified of designation, and the 

Minister must make all reasonable efforts to do so. Notification also includes a list of activities 

that may alter, damage, destroy or interfere with the integrity of the site. A person who illegally 

damages a site may be prosecuted or required to repair damage. 

Landowners and other users with a legal entitlement may appeal the designation of lands on 

scientific grounds, within three months of the designation notification. 

Landowners and other users with a legal entitlement will be compensated for actual loss of 

income arising from restrictions imposed as a result of designation. 

Roles of Government Departments and 

Agencies 

Department of the 

Environment, Heritage and 

Local Government 

(DEHLG) 

National Parks & Wildlife 

Service (NPWS) 

DEHLG is the government department with responsibility for the 

designation and protection of wildlife habitats, species and areas of 

conservation interest. As part of their responsibility in relation to 

biodiversity and wildlife under the Wildlife Acts (1976 and 2000), the 

Minister’s brief extends far beyond the habitats and species listed in the 

annexes of the Habitats and Birds Directives. 

NPWS is the section of the DEHLG responsible for maintaining the 

nature conservation value of the site. Periodic inspection of the site is 

carried out by the local Conservation Ranger. 

Regional staff also participate in research and survey projects by 

collecting data on the site, provide advice to planning authorities on the 

impacts of development applications and provide an education and 

advisory service to the public. See Appendix VII for NPWS contact 

details. 

Wicklow County Council Wicklow County Council is the planning authority for the site. As such it 

is obliged to ensure appropriate assessment of the implications of 

developments requiring planning permission that may have an impact, 

either individually or in combination with other developments on the 

designated area. 

Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) 

The EPA is an independent state sponsored body with a wide range of 

statutory duties including monitoring environmental quality and 

overseeing the performance by local authorities of their statutory 

environmental protection functions. 

The Forest Service The Forest Service is the statutory body responsible for ensuring the 

development of forestry within Ireland in a manner and to a scale that 

maximises its contribution to national socio-economic well-being on a 

sustainable basis that is compatible with the protection of the 

environment. 

Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government CS Version 1.01 2009 

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Department of Agriculture, 

Fisheries and Food (DAFF) 

The Department of 

Communications, Energy 

and Natural Resources 

(DCENR) 

The Central Fisheries 

Board 

Eastern Regional Fisheries 

Board 

DAFF is the government department responsible for the development and 

regulation of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and the food industry, 

including the administration of schemes such as the Rural Environment 

Protection Scheme (REPS), the Native Woodland Scheme (NWS), and 

Commonage Framework Plans (CFPs). In 2007 the Department assumed 

the additional responsibility for sea fisheries, aquaculture, marine 

research, marine engineering and pier and harbour development (non 

commercial) and associated agencies such as Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) 

and the Marine Institute. 

Under Regulation 31 of the EC (Natural Habitats) Regulations, DAFF 

have responsibility for ensuring that activities it regulates do not 

adversely affect cSACs. Monitoring functions are carried out by 

individual divisions or executive agencies of the department. 

DCENR is the government agency with responsibility for 

Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, including the Inland 

Fisheries Division. It holds corporate governance of the Central and 

Regional Fisheries Boards and the Loughs Agency. 

The Central Fisheries Board is the statutory body is responsible for the 

co-ordination and support of the seven regional fisheries boards. Its 

responsibilities also include the control of commercial salmon licensing. 

The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board is responsible for maintaining and 

improving environmental quality and developing and protecting the 

fisheries resource in their region. The Boards responsibilities cover both 

inland waterways and out to the twelve-mile limit off the coast. 

Local Authority Policy in Relation to the Site 

Wicklow County Development Plan 2004-2009 (Chapter 10 Heritage and Landscape 

Conservation, Section 6.1.3 Designated Wildlife Areas) states; 

“County Wicklow has a rich and diverse natural landscape containing such habitats as upland bog 

and heath, fen, woodland, rivers, lakes, cliffs, dunes and coastal areas, many of which are 

recognised as being of local, National and EU importance, and are designated under National 

and/or EU legislation. In total County Wicklow contains 1 National Park, 15 Special Areas of 

Conservation (SAC), 5 (proposed and candidate) Special Protection Areas (SPA), 34 proposed 

Natural Heritage Areas and 6 Nature Reserves.” 

“Policy HL3: The council will facilitate the protection of all designated wildlife areas (including 

any additions or alteration that may occur in the future) from any development that would 

adversely affect their conservation value.” 

“Policy HL4: The council will ensure that any development proposal in the vicinity of, or affecting 

in any way a designated area, provides sufficient information to show how its proposals will 

impact upon the designated area, and will include proposals for appropriate amelioration. In all 

such cases, the Council shall consult with the National Parks and Wildlife Section of the 

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DOEHLG).” 

“The Council will have regard for any changes to the boundaries of these sites which occurs 

during the lifetime of the County Development Plan.” 


Legal Background 

Implications of Site Designation for 

Landowners and other Site Users 

In most areas designated as cSACs, current practices will not have to change significantly. 

In cases where users with a legal entitlement are required to change practices or restrict activities to 

protect the wildlife interest of the site, compensation will be payable based on actual loss of 

income. See Appendix V for further details. 

If a user with a legal entitlement wishes to carry out certain activities, not covered by licence or 

consent from another statutory body, within the designated area, they must consult with, and get 

consent from, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. These activities 

are listed as “Notifiable Actions” for each habitat (see Appendix VI). 


9

NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE 

OF DEPUTY’S PASS NATURE 

RESERVE CSAC 

Reason for Designation of Deputy’s Pass 

Nature Reserve cSAC 

This section outlines the habitats and species occurring within the site that are the basis for the 

designation of the site because of their relative importance, both at a national and Community 

level. 

HABITATS LISTED IN ANNEX I OF 

THE EU HABITATS DIRECTIVE 

• Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and 

Blechnum in the British Isles (EU 

Habitat Code 91AO) 

Conservation Value of Deputy’s Pass Nature 

Reserve cSAC 

Deputy’s Pass, which is a remnant of the once extensive Glenealy oak woods, is a good example of 

the Blechno-Quercetum association (oak woodland) that is characteristic of the relatively dry 

valleys of the Wicklow Mountains. The sessile oak wood is largely of coppice origin, but has a 

typical oakwood structure and species composition. The planting of conifers and non-native 

deciduous species, especially Beech, has damaged the site. Though the site is relatively small it is 

considered a good example of the type of old oak wood that is characteristic of the Wicklow 

Mountains. The oak woods have well-developed vegetation and the structure and functions of the 

wood are generally good. The areas of mixed woodland (deciduous and coniferous) to the east and 

south of the oak wood provide a continuum of woodland cover and if managed for conservation 

could extend the area of oak dominated wood. 


Nature Conservation Value of Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC 

Conservation Objectives 

European and national legislation places a collective obligation on Ireland and its citizens to 

maintain at favourable conservation status areas designated as candidate Special Areas of 

Conservation. The Government and its agencies are responsible for the implementation and 

enforcement of regulations that will ensure the ecological integrity of these sites. 

According to the EU Habitats Directive, favourable conservation status of a habitat is achieved 

when: 

• its natural range, and area it covers within that range, is stable or increasing, and 

• the ecological factors that are necessary for its long-term maintenance exist and are likely to 

continue to exist for the foreseeable future, and 

• the conservation status of its typical species is favourable as defined below. 

The favourable conservation status of a species is achieved when: 

• population data on the species concerned indicate that it is maintaining itself, and 

• the natural range of the species is neither being reduced or likely to be reduced for the 

foreseeable future, and 

• there is, and will probably continue to be, a sufficiently large habitat to maintain its populations 

on a long-term basis. 

Objective 1: To maintain the Annex I habitat for which the cSAC has been selected at 

favourable conservation status; Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and 

Blechnum in the British Isles (50% area of the site). 

Objective 2: To maintain the extent, species richness and biodiversity of the entire site. 

Objective 3: To enhance the educational and amenity use of the site. 

Objective 4: To establish effective liaison and co-operation with landowners, legal users 

and relevant authorities. 


11

SITE DESCRIPTION 

Location Including Site Boundaries 

Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC is located 2 km south-east of Glenealy in Co Wicklow. The 

site can be accessed from a local road off the R752 (Map 1). 

Grid Ref.: T 23 90 

Latitude: N 52º49’54” 

Longitude: W 06º10’00” 

Area: 48 ha 

Altitude Range: 66 m to 137 m 

Townlands: Ballinacooley 

Site Boundaries 

The boundaries of the site coincide in the west and north with the edge of the woodland. The local 

road that runs through the pass forms the southern boundary. There is commercial forestry to the 

east of the site and the boundary here comprises an old earth bank. 

Site Infrastructure 

A number of unpaved forest roads lead through the site. At the main entrance of the site beside the 

Potters River, there is a car park that can accommodate approximately 15 cars. There are two picnic 

tables in the car park. A right of way exists through the site. There is a single ruined building in the 

south western corner of the site. 


Site Description 

Legal Status 

Ownership 

NPWS own the entire site. 

Designations of the Site 

candidate Special 

Area of Conservation 

proposed Natural 

Heritage Area 

Sitecode IE0000717 Published on 1 st July 1999. 

Sitecode 1756 Unpublished. Part of Glenealy 

Woods pNHA, which comprises 

five areas of woodland near 

Glenealy 

Nature Reserve The site was designated as a 

Nature Reserve in 1982 

CORINE Site Biotope Number 800000538 

Rights Pertaining to the Site 

SI No. 381 of 1982 

Rights of way There is a right of way running through the site in a north-east to southeast 

direction. 

Physical Features 

Climate 

A summary of the 30-year (1961-1990) meteorological data recorded at the nearest synoptic 

weather station Casement Aerodrome are presented in Appendix III. Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve 

cSAC is to the south of this station and is likely to experience a higher rainfall than at Casement 

Aerodrome due to the location near the Wicklow Mountains. The Wicklow Mountains would 

experience the highest rainfall in the east of the country (Rohan 1986). The average temperature at 

Casement is 9.3 ºC, the average rainfall is 711 mm, daily sunshine duration is 3.64 hrs, with the 

mean wind speed being 11 knots. 

Geology & Geomorphology 

The site is situated on the eastern flanks of a glacial overflow channel, aligned in a south-west to 

north-east direction with the underlying rock a mixture of Cambrian and Lower Silurian deposits. 

Soils & Soil Processes 

Soils are acid, brown earths to podsols, which may have derived from the underlying rock form or 

from Irish Sea material. The north-western section of the site, which is part of the floodplain of 

Potters River, is a gley 


13


Hydrology & Water Quality 

Potters River flows along the southern boundary of the site. This stream rises to the south-west, 

west and north of the site with these tributaries converging before flowing along the southern 

boundary of Deputy’s Pass. The whole of the cSAC site drains into this river. Potters River is 

monitored at regular intervals by the local authority and compiled by the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). The nearest monitoring station is however downstream of Deputy’s Pass at Kilboy 

Bridge. This is approximately 4.5 km downstream of the cSAC. The water quality at Kilboy Bridge 

was rated in 1994, 1997 and 2000 as having a Q value of 4. This indicates that the water is 

unpolluted. 

Biological Features 

Habitats and Vegetation 

Note: Throughout the conservation statement, habitats are named and described under two 

different systems: the Annex I habitat is as listed in the EU Habitats Interpretation Manual 

Version EUR 27 (2007), while all other habitats are as listed according to the classification 

system of ‘A Guide to Habitats in Ireland’ (Fossitt, 2000). 

The following table lists the habitats within the site. The Annex I habitat of the Habitats Directive 

for which the site was selected is listed, with the relevant Guide to Habitats category also shown. 

The Indicative Habitat map for the site is presented in Map 2. The percentage area presented for 

each habitat type is based on the approximate geographic area of each habitat, as shown in Map 2. 

ANNEX I HABITAT 

TYPE 

Old sessile oak woods with Ilex 

and Blechnum in the British 

Isles (EU Code 91AO) 

- 

Habitats Found within Deputy’s Pass Nature Reserve cSAC 

HABITAT CATEGORY % AREA 

Oak-birch-holly woodland (WN1) 

(mapped with birch-dominated WN1) 

Oak-birch-holly woodland (WN1) 

(mapped with Old sessile oak woods 91A0) 

- (Mixed) Broadleaved Woodland (WD1) 4 

- Conifer plantation (WD4) 23 

- Scrub (WS1) 5 

- Eroding/upland rivers (FW1) 2 

- Spoil and bare ground (ED2) 5 

- Stonewalls and other stonework (BL1) (not mapped) 


50 

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Annex I Habitat: 

Old sessile oak woods 

with Ilex and 

Blechnum in the 

British Isles (EU code 

91AO) (50% of total 

site area) 

Other Habitats: 

Oak-birch-holly 

woodland (WN1) 

(Mixed) broadleaved 

woodland (WD1) 

Conifer plantation 

(WD4) 

The dominant community on the site is Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) 

woodland. The Oak is of coppice origin, being 75-85 years old. These 

trees form a nearly closed canopy. Other tree species present are Rowan 

(Sorbus aucuparia) and Holly (Ilex aquifolium), with Downy Birch 

(Betula pubescens) occurring mainly at the edges. In some areas Beech 

(Fagus sylvatica) (less than 10%) occurs in the stands. The scrub layer is 

formed by oak saplings, Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Hazel (Corylus 

avellana). The understorey vegetation is dominated by Wood-rush 

(Luzula sylvatica), Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Hard Fern (Blechnum 

spicant) and Bramble (Rubus fruticosus). Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and 

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) are abundant in some areas. In some 

parts, Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Male Fern (Dryopteris filixmas), 

Hay-scented Buckler Fern (D. aemula), Wood Sanicle (Sanicula 

europaea), Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense) and Wood 

Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) are common. There are some isolated clumps 

of Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) and Cherry Laurel (Prunus 

laurocerasus) in the north-eastern section of this habitat type and 

occasional Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) are scattered throughout. 

In the west of the site there is an area dominated by 6 m high Birch, with 

some Holly and Rowan. Bramble and Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) 

dominate the understorey. Ground layer bryophytes recorded from this 

section of the woodland are Thudium tamariscinium, Polytrichum 

commune, Eurhynchium striatum, Hookeria lucens and Hypnum 

cupressiforme. 

There are two small areas where the canopy is dominated by Beech. 

23% of the site is planted with a mix of conifers, including Scots Pine 

(Pinus sylvestris), European Larch (Larix eciduas), Norway Spruce 

(Picea abies), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Japanese Redcedar 

(Cryptomeria japonica). There are also young Sycamore trees 

within this area. 

Scrub (WS1) Areas of scrub have developed in some of the sections where conifers 

have been clearfelled. Some Oak and Sycamore regeneration is apparent 

within these areas. Downy Birch, Gorse and Broom (Cytisus scoparius) 

form the scrub. Bracken and Bramble form the ground flora. 

Eroding/upland rivers 

(FW1) 

Spoil and bare ground 

(ED2) 

Stonewalls and stone 

work (BL1) 

Potters River flows through the wood. This is a fast flowing river up to 3 

m wide and 0.5 m deep. It is mostly unvegetated except for occasional 

Water-cress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum). 

There are a number of unpaved forestry tracks through the site. There is 

also a car park within the site. 

There is one building on the site, which is a derelict two-storey house. 

Bats were recorded in the vicinity of the building and may utilise cracks 

in the walls. The building does not however have a roof. 


15


Fauna: 

Invertebrates 

A species of longhorn beetle, Clytus arietis, was recorded in Deputy’s Pass in June 1993 

(Alexander, 1997). This species had previously been recorded in only two sites in Ireland and had 

not been recorded in Ireland prior to this record for nearly 100 years. 

Fish 

Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and spawning Sea Trout (Salmo trutta) occur within Potters River. 

Amphibians and Reptiles 

The site provides breeding habitat for Smooth Newt (Triturus vulgaris) and Common Frog (Rana 

temporaria). The latter is listed in the Red Data Book as Internationally Important (Whilde 1993). 

Birds 

Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) have been recorded from the site. 

Other typical woodland bird species occurring at the site include Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), 

Robin (Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Magpie (Pica pica), Great Tit (Parus 

major), Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Sparrowhawk (Accipter 

nisus), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) and Raven (Corvus corax). 

Buzzard (Buteo buteo) has been recorded from the site but is not thought to breed within the 

woodland. 

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) 



Mammals 

Land Use 

Badger (Meles meles), a species listed in the Red Data Book as Internationally Important is known 

to occur within the site, as are Sika (Cervus nippon) and Fallow Deer (Dama dama). Otter (Lutra 

lutra) occur on the Potters River and Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) have also been 

recorded near the ruined building in the west of the site. 

Land use on the site 

Badger (Meles meles) 

Nature conservation The main land use for the site is nature conservation. One of the trial sites 

for the Native Woodland Scheme (NWS) occurs within the woodland. It 

is proposed to bring other sections of the wood within management under 

the NWS. Current management practices include spacing of regenerated 

Birch, planting of Oak and removal of some Sitka Spruce and Cherry 

Laurel. 

No shooting area There is no shooting allowed within the Nature Reserve, which allows 

undisturbed resting and feeding of birds. 

Commercial forestry There are commercial forestry blocks within the woodland that are to be 

removed and replaced with native broadleaved trees. 

Recreation The site is used for walking, with car parking being available within the 

reserve and footpaths running through the woodland. The footpaths are 

maintained. Horse riding occurs along the right of way and also, to a 

lesser extent, along the path in the west of the site. 

Dumping Illegal dumping of rubbish occurs in the Reserve, mainly around the car 

park. 

Education Glenealy School use the woodland as a location for nature walks. There is 

no other known educational use of the Reserve. 


17


Land use adjacent to the site 

Nature conservation There are areas of broadleaved woodland and conifer plantation to the 

east and south of the site, which are designated as part of the Glenealy 

Woods pNHA. 

Commercial forestry Blocks of commercial forestry occur to the south east of the site. 

Agriculture The fields to the west and north of the site are used for grazing sheep and 

cattle. 

Roads A local road, connecting the R752 with the N11 forms the southern 

boundary of the site. 

Past human use 

The woodland was managed on a coppice with standards system up to approximately 1900. The 

oak was sold to John Dean & Son, Sawmills, Glenealy and they felled it during the 1914-18 war. 

The woodland came into ownership of The Department of Lands in the early 1950’s. The northwestern 

section of the site was cleared in 1958 and planted with Sitka Spruce. This was cleared in 

1991 and Birch woodland, with some Holly, Oak and Rowan regenerated naturally. This is the area 

currently being managed under the NWS (see above). 

Management Issues 

The following issues have been identified for this site. They are listed in alphabetical order. 

• Commercial forestry 

• Dumping 

• Footpaths 

• Horse riding 

• Invasive and alien species 

• Lack of regeneration 

• Small size 

Commercial forestry 

Commercial forestry covers approximately 25% of the site, with Coillte owning these trees. These 

areas are of limited ecological value with a suppressed ground flora and lack the biological and 

structural diversity of native woodlands but do provide a continuum of woodland cover. Selfseeded 

conifers also occur within the woodland. It is desirable to restore the areas of commercial 

forestry to native woodland through the removal of conifers and to encourage the establishment and 

development of native species. 

Removal of commercial forestry from within the cSAC should be carried out in an ecologically 

sensitive manner. This relates to the potential infrastructural impacts caused during harvesting of 

trees. In addition, access by forestry contractors through the site to the forestry areas to the east of 

the cSAC should also be carried out following consultation with NPWS. 



Dumping 

Illegal dumping occurs within the car park and into Potters River along the southern boundary of 

the wood. 

Footpaths 

A circular walk exists through the cSAC with a part of this loop leading onto land owned by 

Coillte. Liaison with Coillte should continue in relation to any problems regarding pedestrian 

access through the Coillte owned area. Some sections of the paths are overgrown with Bramble. 

Horse riding 

Horse riding occurs within the site, particularly along the right of way through the wood and also 

along the woodland to the west of the site. Excessive use by horses may cause some deterioration 

of the footpaths within the woodland. Horse riding should be controlled. 

Invasive and alien species 

Invasive Rhododendron and Laurel occur in the north-eastern section of the woodland. Both of 

these species can form dense thickets that suppress the native flora. The patches of these species 

should be removed from the site. Montbretia (Crocosmia aurea x C. pottsii) occurs in isolated 

clumps in the car park and these should also be removed. 

Lack of regeneration 

There is a concern that there is a lack of regeneration of Oak trees within the woodland. Seed 

collection is proposed as part of the management of the western section of the woodland through 

the Native Woodland Scheme. Production of acorns and establishment of oak trees will be 

monitored through this scheme. 

Grazing within the woodland is not regarded at present as a serious problem. No evidence of 

grazing by sheep within the wood has been recorded and indications of grazing by deer is minimal. 

Some scarring of trees by deer is evident but is not excessive. 

Small size 

There is concern that the small size of the woodland limits the value of the habitat. Proposals for 

extension of the SAC area are given later in this plan and the woodland cover to the east of the site 

created by the forestry areas to the east, give some continuum of woodland cover. Further 

extension of the cover of old Sessile Oak woods is beyond the scope of this plan but should be 

considered as the long-term aim for the areas adjacent to the existing woodland. 


19

SCIENTIFIC MONITORING & 

INSPECTION 

The inspection and monitoring regime for the site will comprise: 

Scientific monitoring Monitoring of the conservation status of the Annex I habitat, Old sessile 

oak woods, will be done by, or on behalf of, the staff of the Monitoring 

Section of the NPWS or staff working to NPWS in accordance with the 

procedures laid down by that section. 

Protocols for monitoring Deputy’s Pass cSAC will be developed, in 

consultation with other agencies where appropriate, to determine if the 

site is being maintained at favourable conservation status. 

Site surveillance Regular inspection of the site by the NPWS staff, with special attention to 

the oak woods will identify any major changes, damaging operations, or 

threats should they arise. 


APPENDIX I: GLOSSARY 

ABIOTIC FACTORS – A collective term for components of the physical environment (i.e. nonliving 

factors such as geology and climate). 

ALTITUDE - Vertical height above sea level. 

AMPHIBIANS – A vertebrate group whose members spend part of their life cycle in water and 

part on land e.g. Frog. 

ANNEX I - of the EU Birds Directive, lists birds that are strictly protected so that they cannot be 

killed, captured, disturbed or traded. 

ANNEX I - of the EU Habitats Directive, lists habitats including priority habitats for which SACs 

have to be designated. 

ANNEX II - of the EU Birds Directive lists birds which may be hunted. 

BIODIVERSITY – A general term used to describe all aspects of biological diversity, including: 

the number of species present in a given environment; the genetic diversity present within a 

species; the number of different ecosystems present within a given environment. 

BIOTOPE - An environmental region, defined by particular environmental conditions and therefore 

a characteristic assemblage of organisms. 

BIRDS DIRECTIVE (Council Directive 79/ 409/ 2nd April 1979) - Under this Directive Ireland is 

required to conserve the habitats of two categories of wild birds: 1) Listed rare and vulnerable 

species and 2) Regularly occurring migratory species. The Directive also obliges Ireland to 

conserve wetlands, especially those of international importance and regulates the hunting and 

trading of wildbirds. It was transposed into Irish legislation by the EU (Natural Habitats) 

Regulations, 1997. 

BRYOPHYTES - A group of simple non-vascular spore-bearing green plants comprising the 

mosses, liverworts and hornworts. 

CANOPY LAYER - The tallest tree layer in a wood. 

CATCHMENT - An area of land draining to a defined point. The term river catchment refers to the 

area of land that drains into a particular river system. 

COMMUNITY - a well-defined assemblage of plants and/or animals, clearly distinguishable from 

other such assemblages. 

CONSERVATION STATUS - The sum of the influences acting on a habitat and its typical species 

that may affect its long term distribution, structure and functions. Also refers to the long-term 

survival of its typical species within the European territory of the Member States. 

COPPICING - The process of cutting trees or bushes close to the ground to allow new shoots to 

grow from the stump, on a rotational basis. 

CORINE - An information and mapping system, developed within the context of the Commission 

of the European Communities biotope project, which is used as a tool for the description of sites of 

importance for nature conservation in Europe. It catalogues recognisable communities of flora and 



fauna. The primary objective of this catalogue is to identify all major communities whose presence 

contributes to the conservation significance of a site. Included in this list of communities are 

interesting but rare natural or near-natural communities as well as the more widespread seminatural 

ones. 

DAFF– The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 

DAWN SWARMING – Bats tend to swarm around their roost at dawn before going back inside for 

the day after foraging outside at night. The bats will swarm around together just until the sun rises 

thus allowing the observer to see all the bats together simultaneously. This gives an idea of the 

significance of the roost. 

DEHLG - Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government 

DESICCATION - Drying out. 

DETRITAL - Derived from reworking other material. 

DEVELOPMENT PLANS - Local Authorities (Co. Councils & Corporations) are obliged under 

statute to produce a document which sets out the planned development of their areas for a given 

number of years. In the future Local Authorities will be asked to incorporate designated NHAs, 

SACs and SPAs classifications into their development plans. 

DIVERSITY - see biodiversity. 

ECOLOGY - The study of the interactions between organisms, and their physical, chemical and 

biological environment. 

ECOSYSTEM – A functional ecological unit in which the biological, physical and chemical 

components of the environment interact. 

ECOTOPE – Term used to describe the full range of niche and habitat factors that affect a species. 

EMERGENCE COUNT – Individual bats are counted flying out of their roost to forage at dusk. 

This method allows for estimating the number of bats in a roost. 

ENVIRONMENT – The biological and physical conditions in which an organism lives. 

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency 

EUROPEAN BIRDS DIRECTIVE (79/ 409/ 2nd April 1979) - See Birds Directive. 

FAUNA - Animal life. 

FAVOURABLE CONSERVATION STATUS - The conservation status of a natural habitat will be 

taken as “favourable” when: its natural range and areas it covers within that range are stable or 

increasing, and the specific structure and functions which are necessary for its long term 

maintenance exist and are likely to continue to exist for the foreseeable future, and the conservation 

status of its typical species is favourable. 

FLORA - Plant life. 

GEOMORPHOLOGY – The study of the form and structure of the landscape, which is shaped by 

the underlying geology. 

HABITAT - Refers to the environment defined by specific abiotic and biotic factors, in which a 

species lives at any stage of its biological cycle. In general terms it is a species home. In the 

Habitats Directive this term is used more loosely to mean plant communities and areas to be given 

protection. 

HABITATS DIRECTIVE - (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). The Directive on the conservation of 

Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna. This Directive seeks to legally protect wildlife and 

its habitats. It was transposed into Irish legislation by the EU (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. 

INVERTEBRATES - Animals without backbones. 

LATITUDE – The angular distance measured in degrees north or south of the equator. 


Appendix I: Glossary 

LIFE – An EU budget line that provides funding for nature conservation projects on Natura 2000 

sites throughout Europe. 

MACRO INVERTEBRATES – A collective term generally used to describe invertebrates that are 

visible to the naked eye- these may include insects, snails and worms. 

MONITORING – A repeat or repeats of a survey using the same methodology. Designed to look 

for or measure specific changes and the rate or extent of change. Used to check the “health” 

quantity or quality of a habitat or species. 

MOSAIC - Used to describe habitats that occur together and cannot easily be mapped separately. 

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE – NPWS is part of the Department of the 

Environment, Heritage & Local Government (DEHLG) that manages the Irish State's nature 

conservation responsibilities under National and European law. 

NATIVE WOODLAND SCHEME – An initiative aimed at protecting and expanding Ireland’s 

native woodland resource. There are two elements in the scheme: native woodland conservation 

and native woodland establishment, each with its own grant and premium levels. The scheme is 

administered by the Forest Service, under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries 

and Food. 

NATURA 2000 - A network of sites across the European Community, selected for the purpose of 

conserving natural habitats and species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or 

vulnerable in the European Community. SACs and SPAs form the Natura 2000 network. 

NATURAL HERITAGE AREA – Designated areas that are important for wildlife conservation. 

Some of these sites are small, such as roosting areas for rare bats; others can be large such as a 

blanket bog or a sand dune system. 

NATURE RESERVE - Under National legislation, the Wildlife Act of 1976, a number of sites 

have been designated as Nature Reserves. These areas are mainly owned by the NPWS and are 

managed for the purposes of conservation. 

NHA - Natural Heritage Area. 

NICHE – The functional position of an organism within its environment, i.e. where individuals of a 

species can survive grow and reproduce. 

NO SHOOTING AREAS - These areas are also referred to as Wildfowl Sanctuaries and are areas 

that have been excluded from the “Open Season Order” so that game birds can rest and feed 

undisturbed. Shooting of game birds is not allowed in these areas. 

NOTABLE SPECIES - Plants or animals which are worthy of mentioning either because they are 

particularly typical of a habitat, or because they are rare/ scarce/ atypical. 

NOTIFIABLE ACTIONS - Actions specified under the SAC regulations and are listed in the 

appendices of a conservation plan. These are actions which could cause damage to the site, and for 

which prior approval is required before they can be carried out. 

NPWS - National Parks and Wildlife Service 

NR – Nature Reserve 

NWS – Native Woodland Scheme 

OPEN SEASON – A specified period of time when a quarry species may be hunted. 

OS – Ordnance Survey. 

pH - A quantitative expression for the acidity or alkalinity of a solution or soil. The scale ranges 

from 0-14: pH 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic and greater than 7 is alkaline. 

POACHING - Damage caused to vegetation and soil by trampling of large grazers. 

PRECIPITATION - Water moving from the atmosphere to the ground in the form of rain, fog, 

mist, snow or hail. 


23


PTERIDOPHYTE – A group of non-flowering vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than 

seeds. It comprises ferns and their allies, such as horsetails and club mosses. 

QUALIFYING INTERESTS – The habitat(s) and/or species for which an SAC or SPA is 

designated. 

RED DATA BOOK – A register of threatened species that includes definitions of degrees of threat. 

RED DATA BOOK (lower plants) - This Red Data Book deals with Stoneworts which are 

recognised as a separate class, Characea, of the Green Algae Chlorophyta). Many of these species 

are threatened by loss of habitat or pollution. 

RED DATA BOOK 1 (vascular plants) This Red Data Book deals with rare and threatened 

flowering plants and ferns of Ireland with an account of their present distributions and conservation 

status. 

RED DATA BOOK 2 (mammals, birds, amphibians and fish) - identifies those species threatened 

in Ireland or those species whose populations are considered to be of international importance, 

though not necessarily threatened in Ireland. It details the current state of Irish vertebrates and 

provides a concise summary of the various legislation for each species. 

SAC – Special Area of Conservation 

SCARCE - This is an ecological term, which is applied to distribution of species when assessed on 

a national grid reference system. The assessment is made on the basis of the number of occupied 10 

km National Grid squares. Scarce applies to 11-25, 10 km squares in this context. 

SCIENTIFIC MONITORING - this is carried out by the monitoring section of the NPWS, whose 

function here is to ensure that the favourable conservation status of the site is maintained and where 

possible improved. 

SPA- Special Protection Area 

SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION – Areas designated for nature conservation at a European 

level. SACs have been selected from the prime examples of wildlife conservation areas in Ireland. 

Their legal basis from which selection is derived is The Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC of the 21st 

May 1992). 

SPECIAL PROTECTION AREA - Areas which have been designated to ensure the conservation 

of certain categories of wild bird under the European Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/ 409/ 

2nd April 1979). 

SPECIES - the lowest unit of classification normally used for plants and animals. 

STRATEGY - A course of action or a broad approach towards achieving an objective. It is the 

general thrust of management towards achieving an objective. It is a description of how the 

objective is to be achieved. 

SUCCESSION – Directional change/sequential development of vegetation e.g. from open water to 

fen to woodland. 

SURVEY - a) Study/visit to produce an inventory of what is present / record a situation.- b) 

Establishing a baseline (study). 

SUSTAINABLE - The highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used without reducing its 

supply (without causing damage to the resource). 

TERRESTRIAL - A term used to refer to living on land. The opposite of aquatic. 

TOPOGRAPHY - the study or detailed description of the surface features of a region. 

UNDERSTOREY - The plant layer below the tree canopy in a woodland. 

VERTEBRATES - Animals with backbones. 


APPENDIX II: REFERENCE 

MATERIAL 

Map References: 

O.S. 1/2 inch (1:126,720) map: 16 

Databases: 

O.S. Discovery (1:50,000) map: 56 

O.S. 6 inch (1: 10,560) map: WI 030 

NHA database, NPWS, The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 7 Ely 

Place, Dublin 2. 

Natura 2000 database, NPWS, The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 7 

Ely Place, Dublin 2. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENVision interactive environmental data map 

viewer: http://maps.epa.ie/InternetMapViewer/MapViewer.aspx 

Photographic Coverage: 

Aerial photo No. 4513, Flight Line 21. Date: 24/05/2001. NPWS, The Department of 

Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2. 

Relevant Legislation: 

S.I. No. 39 of 1976: Wildlife Act 1976 

S.I. No. 38 of 2000: Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 

S.I. No. 94/1997: European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. 

Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts 1963-2002. 

Bibliography: 

Alexander, K.N.A. 1997. Clytus arietus (L.) Rediscovered in Ireland after nearly 100 years, and 

other significant records of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera). Irish Naturalists Journal, 25, No. 10. 

Curtis, T.F.G. 1976. A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in Co. Wicklow. 

Unpublished report prepared for Wicklow County Council. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin. 

Dunne, F. and Little, D. 2003. Management Plan for Ballinacooley Wood (Deputy’s Pass) Birch 

Woodland. Unpublished report for the Forest Service. 

European Commission. 2007. Interpretation Manual of European Habitats EUR 27. 

Fossitt, J.A. 2000. A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny. 

Rohan, P.K. 1986. The Climate of Ireland. Meteorological Service, Dublin. 

Wicklow County Council. 2004. Wicklow County Council Development Plan 2004-2010. 


APPENDIX III: CLIMATE 

CASEMENT AERODROME 

monthly and annual mean and extreme values 

1968-1996 

TEMPERATURE (degrees Celsius) jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year 

mean daily max. 7.8 7.6 9.6 11.8 14.6 17.7 19.7 19.3 16.8 13.6 9.9 8.3 13.1 

mean daily min. 2 1.7 2.5 3.2 5.7 8.6 10.7 10.3 8.5 6.7 3.6 2.8 5.5 

mean 4.9 4.6 6 7.5 10.1 13.1 15.2 14.8 12.6 10.1 6.7 5.6 9.3 

absolute max. 15.4 14.7 18.8 21.3 24.7 27.5 29.8 30.5 24.7 21.3 17.7 15.4 30.5 

absolute min. -12.4 -10.3 -7.8 -4.5 -3 0.3 2.5 2.5 -0.3 -4.1 -6.2 -9.7 -12 

mean no. of days with air frost 7.5 7.7 6.3 4.9 1 0 0 0 0 1.4 5.9 6.6 41.3 

mean no. of days with ground frost 15.3 15 13.1 12.8 6.3 1.1 0.1 0.1 1.6 4.5 11 13.5 94.3 

RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%) 

mean at 0900UTC 87 86 84 80 77 77 79 81 84 86 87 87 83 

mean at 1500UTC 82 77 72 68 68 68 68 68 71 76 81 83 74 

SUNSHINE (hours) 

mean daily duration 1.63 2.38 3.04 4.85 5.65 5.63 5.01 4.83 4.04 3.07 2.16 1.42 3.64 

greatest daily duration 8.1 9.2 10.9 13.6 15.4 16 15.4 14.4 12.3 9.8 8.5 6.9 16 

mean no. of days with no sun 10 7 5 2 2 2 1 2 3 5 7 11 55 

RAINFALL (mm) 

mean monthly total 68.7 50.7 53.8 49.9 56.6 53 48.9 63.7 58.7 67.2 67.2 73.1 711 

greatest daily total 31.4 42.8 30 35.3 34.3 108.6 41.4 73 32.1 48.5 58.4 42.9 109 

mean no. of days with >= 0.2mm 18 14 17 14 15 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 185 



WIND (knots) 

mean monthly speed 14.1 12.5 12.8 10.1 9.1 8.7 8.9 8.7 10.1 11.2 12.3 13.3 11 

max. gust 80 78 71 59 63 53 58 58 69 65 68 81 81 

max. mean 10-minute speed 57 54 47 43 43 36 39 39 46 44 49 57 57 

mean no. of days with gales 5.2 2.7 2.7 0.6 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.6 1.4 2.4 3.7 20.3 

WEATHER (mean no. of days with..) 

snow or sleet 4.6 4.8 3.5 1.4 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0.4 2.1 16.9 

snow lying at 0900UTC 2.4 1.8 0.4 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 0.5 5.3 

hail 0.8 1.2 2.8 2.2 1.3 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.6 10.7 

thunder 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 4.8 

fog 2.5 2.3 1.8 2.4 1.6 1.4 1.2 2.8 2.9 2.7 1.8 2.3 25.9 

Source: Met Éireann 


APPENDIX IV: DETAILED 

INFORMATION ON FLORA AND 

FAUNA 

Flora 

Survey work during the compilation of the Native Woodland Scheme ecology report for the area of 

Birch dominated Oak-birch-holly woodland the following species were recorded. The third 

column in the table below gives an indication of the abundance of the species on a five-point scale 

noting if the species is: Dominant (D), Abundant (A), Frequent (F), Occasional (O) or Rare (R). 

Canopy 

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME DAFOR Scale 

Betula pubescens Downy Birch D 

Salix cinerea Willow O 

Fagus sylvatica Beech O 

Alnus glutinosa Alder R 

Understorey/Shrub Layer 

Salix cinerea Willow F 

Betula pubescens Downy Birch O 

Corylus avellana Hazel O 

Ilex aquifolium Holly O 

Populus alba White Poplar O 

Quercus petraea Sessile Oak O 

Sorbus aucuparia Rowan O 

Prunus avuim Cherry R 

Shrub Layer 

Ilex aquifolium Holly F 

Ulex europaeus Gorse O 

Sorbus aucuparia Rowan O 

Quercus petraea Oak O 

Picea sitchensis Spruce O 

Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose R 

Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron R 


28 NPWS Conservation Statement — Site Code 717 

Field Layer 

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME DAFOR Scale 

Rubus fruticosus Bramble D 

Blechnum spicant Hard Fern F 

Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted hair Grass F 

Epilobium angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb F 

Hedera helix Ivy F 

Ilex aquifolium (seedlings) Holly F 

Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle F 

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken F 

Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) Rowan F 

Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent O 

Dactylis glomerata Cock’s Foot Grass O 

Digitalis purpurea Foxglove O 

Dryopteris affinis Scaly Male-fern O 

Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler Fern O 

Epilobium angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb O 

Geranium robertianum Herb Robert O 

Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog O 

Juncus effusus Soft Rush O 

Luzula sylvatica Wood Rush O 

Molinia caerulea Purple Moor Grass O 

Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel O 

Quercus petraea (seedlings) Sessile Oak O 

Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort O 

Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage O 

Veronica montanum Wood Speedwell O 

Hypericum pulchrum Creeping St John’s Wort R 

Ground layer bryophytes 

Thuidium tamariscinum - A 

Polytrichum commune - F 

Eurhynchium striatum - O 

Hookeria lucens - O 

Hypnum cupressiforme - O 


APPENDIX V: COMPENSATION 

PROCEDURES 

The Government is committed, as part of the social partnership process, to the payment of a fair 

and proper level of compensation to landowners who have lands proposed as part of an SAC or 

SPA and to other users who have a legal entitlement in the site. 

A landowner or user with a legal entitlement may seek compensation for actual losses incurred due 

to restrictions imposed as a result of designation. Eligible persons should submit to NPWS details 

of the losses incurred as a result of the inclusion of lands in an SAC/SPA and outlining the basis for 

the calculations. Documentary evidence of past earnings and the activities that produced these 

should be included with the claim. Should the applicant be dissatisfied with a compensation offer, 

the case may be referred to an independent arbitrator who will review the matter and make a final 

decision. 

Where a landowner or user with a legal entitlement is restricted in carrying out an activity on their 

land or licensed area, the compensation due will exclude any payments that have been attracted 

under grant schemes. 

For farmers, there are two options available for receiving compensation for possible restrictions to 

their farming practices. Farmers may also receive payments for carrying out actions that enhance a 

nature conservation area. 

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) 

Lands within SACs, SPAs, NHAs or commonages are defined as ‘Target Areas’ under this scheme. 

A REPS plan usually covers an entire farm, but a farmer with land in a target area receives a higher 

payment for that area. Farmers with small areas of land in a designated area can get REPS 

payments for that part of their farm. In either case, the farmer is subject to certain conditions 

regarding farming and land use practices, set out in the REPS plan for the farm. REPS is 

administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 

NPWS Farm Plan Scheme 

Where a farmer chooses not to participate in REPS, and NPWS seeks to change the farm operation 

in some way or to restrict a particular activity, NPWS will pay for preparation of a farm plan. This 

scheme also applies to land within SACs, SPAs, NHAs and commonages. 

An NPWS farm plan will normally be confined just to the designated land and will address the 

conservation requirements, as well as any costs arising. Payment may also be made for work 

carried out that enhances the nature conservation value of the designated area. The farmer will have 

a substantial input into the plan. 

A list of trained and approved farm planners is available for farmers to choose from. For further 

information, contact NPWS. 


APPENDIX VI: NOTIFIABLE 

ACTIONS 

The notifiable actions relating to the habitats that occur within the site are listed below: 

• Notifiable Action 5.1 - Woodlands 

• Notifiable Action 5.2 - Scrub 

• Notifiable Action 6.1 - Rivers or streams 

• Notifiable Action 7.1 - Ditches, hedges, cereals and intensive grasslands, walls, buildings, waste 

ground, bare soil, parkland grassland, bracken 


Appendix VI: Notifiable Actions 

HABITAT TYPE 5.1 

WOODLANDS 

Under STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 94 of 1997, made under the EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

ACT 1972 and in accordance with the obligations inherent in the COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 

92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 (the Habitats Directive) on the conservation of the natural habitats and 

species of wild fauna and flora, all persons must obtain the written consent, (in circumstances 

prescribed at section A and B below) of the Minister for The Environment, Heritage and Local 

Government before performing any of the operations on, or affecting, the following habitats where 

they occur on lands / waters within the candidate Special Area of Conservation. 

Please note that where a landowner has a current approved plan under the Rural Environmental 

Protection Scheme or any scheme which the Minister considers to be equivalent s/he need only 

notify the Minister of activities not covered in the plan. 

SECTION A 

Please note that the activities listed in Section A 

overleaf are required to be notified to the Minister 

for The Environment, Heritage and Local 

Government and should not be undertaken before 

consent. 

SECTION B 

Please note that the activities listed in Section B 

overleaf may, and in most cases do, require a 

licence or consent from another statutory authority 

(e.g. the local planning authority, the Minister for 

the Marine and Natural Resources, or the Minister 

for Agriculture and Food). 

If so, these notifiable actions do not apply. 

However, if such activities are not regulated by 

another statutory authority, the said activities are 

required to be notified to the Minister for The 

Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 


31



WOODLANDS 

Section A 

THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, 

HERITAGE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS 

REQUIRED TO BE NOTIFIED IN RELATION 

TO THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES AND 

SUCH ACTIVITIES SHOULD NOT PROCEED 

WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT 

grazing by livestock 

adding lime 

adding fertiliser of any sort 

reclamation, infilling, ploughing or land drainage 

reseeding, planting of trees or any other species 

felling of trees, removal of timber 

removal of foliage, moss or other materials 

killing ivy 

use of any pesticide or herbicide 

dumping, burning or storing any materials 

alteration of the banks, bed or flow of watercourses 

operation of commercial recreation facilities (e.g. 

bird watching tours) 

introduction (or re-introduction) into the wild of 

plants or animals of species not currently found in 

the area 

any other activity of which notice may be given by 

the Minister from time to time 

Section B 

(NO REQUIREMENT TO NOTIFY IF 

ALREADY LICENSED BY ANOTHER 

MINISTER/BODY) 

developing leisure facilities including golf courses, 

sports pitches, caravan or camping facilities. 

any activity which may cause pollution of the 

woodland 

removal of soil, mud, gravel, sand or minerals 

developing roads or car parks 

construction of fences, buildings or 

embankments 

felling trees or reafforestation 

In a very limited number of cases it may be necessary for the Minister for The Environment, 

Heritage and Local Government to restrict existing activities. In these cases compensation will be 

payable for actual losses arising out of any such restriction. In the event of restrictions being 

imposed by the Minister for The Environment, Heritage and Local Government, an appropriate 

appeals procedure will be put in place. 




SCRUB 











SECTION A 





consent. 

SECTION B 



license or consent from another statutory authority 










33



SCRUB 

Section A 







grazing of livestock above a sustainable density (as 

defined in approved farm plans)/grazing by 

livestock treated within the previous week with a 

pesticide which leaves persistent residues in the 

dung 

supplementary feeding of stock (as defined in 

approved farm plans) 

adding lime /adding fertiliser of any sort 

reclaiming land covered by scrub; if scrub is cut it 

must be allowed to regrow 


reseeding, planting of trees or any other species 

felling of trees, removal of timber 

removal of foliage, moss or other materials 

killing ivy 

use of any pesticide or herbicide /dumping, burning 

or storing any Materials 

alteration of the banks, bed or flow of watercourses 


walking tours) 



the area 



Section B 






any activity which may cause pollution of the site 



construction of fences, buildings or 

embankments 

felling trees or reafforestation 









RIVERS OR STREAMS 











SECTION A 





consent. 

SECTION B 



license or consent from another statutory authority 










35



RIVERS OR STREAMS 

Section A 







grazing of livestock above a sustainable density 

(as defined in approved farm plans) within 30m of 

the river or stream/grazing by livestock treated 

within the previous week with a pesticide which 

leaves persistent residues in the dung within 30m of 

the river or stream 

supplementary feeding of stock within 30m of the 

river or stream/adding lime within 30m of the river 

or stream/adding fertiliser of any sort within 30m 

of the river or stream 

extracting water for irrigation or other purposes 

operation of boat angling or shore angling business/ 

restocking with fish 


within 30m of the river or stream/ reseeding, 

planting of trees or any other species within 30m of 

the river or stream/ removal of trees or any aquatic 

vegetation within 30m of the river/stream/ use of 

any pesticide or herbicide in the river or stream or 

within 30m of the river or stream 

dumping rubbish or other materials or disposing of 

any chemicals or wastes in streams/rivers or into 

water-courses running into them 

dumping, burning or storing any materials within 

30m of the river/stream including the land 

spreading of used pesticides (e.g. sheep 

dip)./alteration of the banks, channel, bed or flow 

of the river or stream 

harvesting or burning of reed or willow. 

causing siltation/ operation of commercial 

recreation facilities (e.g. bird watching tours) 



the area 



Section B 






any activity which might cause pollution of the 

river or stream 



construction of fences, buildings or embankments 

construction or operation of an aquaculture facility. 

fishing for eels or salmon 

bank maintenance and grading 

creation of weirs and dams 









DITCHES, HEDGES, CEREALS AND INTENSIVE GRASSLANDS, WALLS, 

BUILDINGS, WASTE GROUND, BARE SOIL, PARKLAND GRASSLAND, BRACKEN, 

CAVES, OR QUARRIES 











SECTION A 





consent. 

SECTION B 



licence or consent from another statutory authority 










37



DITCHES, HEDGES, CEREALS AND INTENSIVE GRASSLANDS, WALLS, 

BUILDINGS, WASTE GROUND, BARE SOIL, PARKLAND GRASSLAND, BRACKEN, 

CAVES, OR QUARRIES 

Section A 







disturbance of bats 


bird watching tours) 



the area 



Section B 




developing leisure facilities including sports 

pitches, caravan or camping facilities. 


construction of fences, buildings and embankments 

afforestation 







APPENDIX VII: NATIONAL PARKS 

AND WILDLIFE CONTACT 

DETAILS 

National Parks and Wildlife Service 

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 

7 Ely Place, 

Dublin 2 

Phone Lo Call 1890 202021, (01) 8882000 

Fax (01) 8883272 

www.npws.ie 


SCALE : 1:15,000 

0 100 200 400 M eters 

¯ 

CE AN TAR SPE ISIALTA CAO M HN AITHE 

CAN DIDATE SPE CIAL AR E A O F CO N SE R VATIO N 

DEPUTY'S PASS NATURE RESERVE 000717 

Boundary Version: 1.00 

Date: May 2009 

O .S. halfinch sheet: sh016 

The m apped boundaries are of an indicative and general nature only. Boundaries of designated areas are 

subject to revision. R eproduced from O rdnance S urvey m aterial by perm ission of the Governm ent 

(Perm it num ber E N 0059208). 

N íl sna teorainneacha ar na léarscá ileanna ach nod garshuiom hach gineará lta. F éadfar athbhreithnithe 

a déanam h ar theorainneacha na gceantar com harthaithe. M acasam hail d’á bhar na 

Suirbhéarachta O rdoná is le chead ón R ialtas (Ceadunas U im h. E N 0059208) 

Co. Wicklow 

UV 

UV 

MAP 1: 

SITE LOCATION AND BOUNDARY

CE AN TAR SPE ISIAL TA CAO M HN AITHE 

CAN DIDATE SPE CIAL AR E A O F CO N SE R VATIO N 

The m apped boundaries are of an indicative and general nature only. Boundaries of designated areas are subject to revision. R eproduced from O rdnance 

Survey material by perm ission of the Governm ent (Perm it num ber E N 0059208). 

N íl sna teorainneacha ar na léarscá ileanna ach nod garshuiomhach gineará lta. F éadfar athbhreithnithe a déanam h ar theorainneacha na gceantar 

com harthaithe. M acasamhail d’á bhar na Suirbhéarachta O rdoná is le chead ón R ialtas (Ceadunas U im h. E N 0059208) 

DEPUTY'S PASS NATURE RESERVE 

CO U N TY W ICK L O W 

0 50 100 200 

Meters 

Scale: 1:4,000 

Legend 

Key 

91A0 O ld sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles 

F W 1 E roding/upland rivers 

W D1 (M ixed) broadleaved woodland 

W D4 Conifer plantation 

W S1 Scrub 

E D2 Spoil and bare ground 

MAP 2: 

INDICATIVE HABITAT MAP 

M ap to be read in conjunction with N PW S Conservation Statem ent 

version 1.01. 

O .S. sixinch sheet: wi030, 031. 

¯ 

SITE CODE 

cSAC 000717 

Version 1.00 

Date: May 2009

Deputy's Pass Nature Reserve cSAC Site Code 717 Co. Wicklow

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