| Vale of Clara | |
| Photo Width: | 200 |
| Map: | Ireland |
| Map Width: | 200 |
| Label: | Vale of Clara |
| Coords: | 52.942°N -6.239°W |
| Type: | National |
| Location: | County Wicklow |
| Area: | 545acres |
| Operator: | National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) |
| Status: | Open all year |
Vale of Clara [1] is a national nature reserve of approximately 545acres 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 alongside fallow deer.[6]