Ireland

Ireland, the largest island in the EU, has a land area exceeding 70,000km², complemented by an expansive marine area over 6 times larger, measuring more than 488,000km². Situated in the Atlantic Ocean off continental European coast, Ireland shares a land border with the United Kingdom. The country features a sizable central plain surrounded by coastal uplands. Carrauntoohil stands as its highest point, reaching an elevation of 1,038m. With a population of 5.15 million people, Ireland maintains a population density of 75 people per km².

of land
is covered

by protected areas

of marine waters

is covered
by protected areas

species
are protected

under EU law

habitats
are protected
under EU law

Sources: Terrestrial protected area coverage by country and in the EU-27 by the end of 2023, Marine protected areas in Europe's seas (2023), Conservation status of habitat types and species: datasets from Article 17, Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC reporting (2013-2018).

In 2023, of Ireland's land was designated as protected areas, falling below the EU value of 26.4%. With a coverage of in its marine waters, Ireland remains below the EU value of 13.7%.

The data sources and related statistics refer to 2023, therefore aligned with the EEA indicators: Designated terrestrial protected areas in Europe, Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, Marine protected areas in Europe's seas.

Percentage of area covered by protected areas

Evolution of area covered by protected areas

From 2012 to 2023 the share of terrestrial protected areas in Ireland increased by 0.1%, below the EU value increase of 1.8%.
National marine protected areas coverage trends are not available because methodological changes prevent a consistent comparison across years.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy has set a target of reaching 30% protected area coverage at the EU level by 2030.

If you want to know more about the Biodiversity Strategy, you can explore the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and in particular the Dashboard section showing progress of the EU and its Member States towards the Biodiversity Strategy targets set for 2030.

Go to the EU Biodiversity Strategy Dashboard

Distribution of protected areas between national designations and Natura 2000

In Ireland the majority of protected areas in the terrestrial environment, accounting for are designated as Natura 2000 sites. Other protected areas are designated by national laws, representing . In the marine waters of Ireland, the protected areas, accounting for , are designated as Natura 2000 sites

Spatial distribution of protected areas network

Protected areas designated under national laws

Designated sites in the Natura 2000 network

Size distribution of protected areas network

In Ireland, the majority (51%) of terrestrial protected areas are 1-10km² and the proportion of smaller protected areas (less than 1km²) is 29%, which is lower than the EU average. Marine protected areas in Ireland vary in size.

A focus on Natura 2000 sites in

Ireland has a total of Natura 2000 sites, they are designated under the Birds Directive, encompassing Special Protection Areas (SPA), and the Habitats Directive, encompassing Sites of Community Importance (SCI). Many sites are designated under both Directives.

Go to Natura 2000 Barometer

Go to Natura 2000 viewer

Species protected in Ireland under EU law fall under the Habitats and Birds Directives. Ireland hosts protected under the Habitats Directive, which is approximately 4% of the total of the Habitats Directive’s species and protected birds, which is approximately 37% of the species protected under the Birds Directive.

The figures are based on data electronically reported by the Member States under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) on the conservation status of habitat types and species for the 2013–2018 reporting period.

species protected under EU law

species under the Habitats Directive

species under the Birds Directive

Conservation Status of species: Habitats Directive

In Ireland, of species assessments indicate a good conservation status, while the EU average corresponds to 27.5%. The proportion of assessments indicating bad conservation status is reaching , compared to the EU average of 20.6%.

Protected species composition by taxonomic group

In Ireland, the distribution of protected species across taxonomic groups highlights the prominence of birds, comprising the largest proportion at 74.1%. They are followed by mammals, accounting for 13.7% of protected species, and fishes, representing 3%.

Conservation Status by Taxa

In Ireland, the assessment of species groups reveals that mammals have the highest proportion of species with a good conservation status, standing at 78.1%. Following behind are vascular plants and amphibians, with 50% of species in good conservation status. On the other hand, arthropods and amphibians have a big share of species with a bad conservation status, standing at 50%.

Habitats protected in Ireland under EU law fall under the Habitats Directive. Ireland hosts habitat types, which is approximately 25.3% of the total of habitat types protected by the Habitats Directive.

habitats protected under EU law in Ireland

Conservation status of habitats

In Ireland, only 15.3% of habitats assessments indicate a good conservation status which is below the EU average of 14.7%. A significant proportion of assessments, amounting to 45.8%, indicate a poor conservation status, while habitats assessments reporting bad conservation status are 39% , slightly above the EU average of 35.8%.

Protected habitat composition by group

In Ireland, the group of protected habitats with the largest number consists of coastal and salt-tolerant habitats, accounting for 23.7% of the total. Following behind are coastal and inland dunes, bogs, mires and fens, each accounting for 13.5% of the protected habitats.

Conservation status by group

In Ireland the assessment of habitat groups reveals that sclerophyllous scrub have the highest proportion of good conservation status, standing at 100%. Following behind are rocky habitats, with 28.5% of habitat types in good conservation status. On the other hand, heath and scrub exhibit the highest percentage of habitat types with a bad conservation status, reaching 100%, while grasslands also have a significant proportion of habitat types in bad conservation status at 83.3%, followed by forests and bogs, mires and fens that have a proportion of habitat types in bad conservation status reaching 75%.

Ireland is predominantly characterised by three main types of ecosystems: Agroecosystems, which cover 67% of the country, followed by Wetland ecosystems occupying 14.5% of the land area, and Forests accounting for 10.7%. However, Ireland has relatively smaller proportions of urban areas (3.4%), heathlands (2.3%), and rivers and lakes (1.9%).

The figures are based on the dataset "Ecosystem types of Europe 2012 - Full map (marine and terrestrial habitats) - version 3 revision 1, Feb. 2019".

In terms of the protected area network, wetlands constitute the largest portion, covering 44.5% of the protected areas. Agroecosystems make up 17.4% of the protected areas, reflecting the importance of conserving and managing agricultural landscapes for biodiversity. Forest ecosystems account for 15.7% of the protected areas, while rivers and lakes represent 11.1% and heathlands contribute to 11% of the protected areas. Urban areas comprise 0.3%.