Data Zone
Country/territory: Ireland
IBA criteria met: B1i, C3, C6 (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 2,654 hectares (26.54 km2)
Site description (2000 baseline)
A coastal wetland complex, extending for 18 km between Greystones and Wicklow in County Wicklow. A shingle barrier extends the length of the site, protecting brackish and freshwater marsh, estuary fen and wet grassland. Two key wetland areas are Broadlough estuary to the south and Kilcoole marshes to the north. These marshes were empoldered in the late 1980s. A mainline railway track runs along the length of the ridge. This is also an important amenity area.
Key biodiversity
An important site for wintering waterfowl and for breeding terns Sterna. Following empolderment, Kilcoole marshes are now a prime feeding area for Branta bernicla. Other species wintering in numbers of national importance are Anser anser (250 birds, 1997), Anas penelope (1,084 birds, 1996), Anas crecca (500 birds, 1996), Melanitta nigra (200 birds, 1996) and Vanellus vanellus (2,800 birds, 1996).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: North Wicklow coastal marshes (Ireland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/north-wicklow-coastal-marshes-iba-ireland on 23/12/2024.