The Importance of Rewilding
4 min
1st May 2025
Why Rewilding Matters in Ireland
Ireland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe. Centuries of farming, overgrazing, drainage, and deforestation have left the land fragmented and stripped of much of its original biodiversity. But there is a growing movement to bring it back – and rewilding is at the heart of that vision.
At Dunsany Castle Nature Reserve, we’ve dedicated over 750 acres of land to nature, creating Ireland’s first large-scale rewilding project on private land. It’s a space where natural ecosystems are returning, wildlife is reappearing, and the land is being given the freedom to heal.
Restoring Nature’s Balance
Rewilding means stepping back and letting nature take the lead. It’s about stopping intensive land use, removing invasive species, and allowing native plants, animals, and habitats to return in their own time.
At Dunsany, this has included:
Allowing native woodlands to regenerate
Expanding hedgerows to connect habitats
Creating biodiversity ponds and wet scrapes for migratory birds
Rewetting previously drained land to restore lost wetland ecosystems
Letting natural scrub, grasslands, and meadows flourish
Protecting and linking existing ancient woodlands
The results speak for themselves. We’ve seen the return of barn owls, long-eared owls, red kites, hares, butterflies, frogs, and a wide variety of wildflowers and pollinators — all signs that nature is recovering.
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Why Biodiversity Comes First
Rewilding isn’t just about landscapes, it’s about life. By giving space back to nature, we help revive the complex web of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that sustain healthy ecosystems. This boost in biodiversity helps strengthen the land’s natural balance, making it more resilient in the face of environmental changes.
Ireland’s national biodiversity is under serious threat, with one-third of assessed species at risk of extinction. Places like Dunsany are urgently needed to protect what remains and to rebuild what has been lost.
Benefits for People: Now and in the Future
Rewilded spaces don’t just benefit wildlife. They offer something deeply valuable to people too.
At Dunsany, we welcome visitors to walk our trails, experience the sights and sounds of wild nature, and reconnect with the land. These moments watching birds of prey circle overhead, hearing frogs call from new ponds, or simply feeling stillness among the trees are profoundly nourishing for mental health, inspiration, and wellbeing.
Rewilding also brings long-term benefits:
Educational opportunities for students and communities
Eco-tourism and nature-based experiences that support local jobs
Living laboratories for biodiversity science and conservation
A legacy for future generations to enjoy a richer, wilder Ireland
A Living Example of What’s Possible
The Dunsany Rewilding Project is proof that damaged landscapes can recover, and that Ireland can lead the way in nature restoration.
It offers a new story for how we treat the land: one based on respect, patience, and co-existence. As more landowners, farmers, and communities look to restore nature, we hope Dunsany can inspire a wider national movement.
Together, we can shape a future where wildlife thrives, ecosystems are strong, and people are part of, not separate from the wild.
