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His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, visited Wicklow Mountains National Park during an official visit to Ireland today where he was brought on a tour of the country’s largest National Park.

He enjoyed the splendour of majestic Glendalough, and met with staff who work in nature conservation and education programmes.

On his arrival, he was greeted by the Secretary General of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Katherine Licken, and other officials of the Department. 

Wesley Atkinson, Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) - which is under the remit of the Department - was also among the welcoming party.  The NPWS manages Ireland’s nature conservation responsibilities as well as managing Irelands 6 National parks and 78 Natures Reserves.

Wicklow Mountains National Park is Ireland’s largest National Park and the only one found on the east coast. It covers over 22,000 hectares of the Wicklow uplands, comprising mainly bog and heath with smaller areas of native woodland, mountain streams.

During his tour of the Upper Lake he also met members of the two local Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and the Dublin Wicklow mountain rescue team who have a close working relationship with the National Park.