St. Gobnet's Wood
Encyclopedia
St Gobnet's Wood is an area of oak woodland at Baile Bhuirne, County Cork
, south-western Ireland. The wood, according to the National Parks and Wildlife Service's survey, is about 30 ha in extent.
In 1998 St Gobnet's Wood was proposed as a Site of Community Importance
under the EU Habitats Directive. Subsequently, Cascade Wood, on the other side of the N22 road
, was identified as the habitat of species of European interest, notably the rare Kerry slug
.
In 2007 the Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley
, proposed the expansion of the existing Special Area of Conservation
to include Cascade Wood. The European Environment Agency's records show the SAC as covering 44 ha following an update in 2008.
When the Irish government gave protection to Cascade Wood, it was also agreed that the alignment of a proposed by-pass should avoid the SAC. As at 2011 the new route for the Macroom
-Baile Bhuirne section of the N22 has yet to be constructed.
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, south-western Ireland. The wood, according to the National Parks and Wildlife Service's survey, is about 30 ha in extent.
In 1998 St Gobnet's Wood was proposed as a Site of Community Importance
Site of Community Importance
A Site of Community Importance is defined in the European Commission Habitats Directive as a site which, in the biogeographical region or regions to which it belongs, contributes significantly to the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of a natural habitat type or of a...
under the EU Habitats Directive. Subsequently, Cascade Wood, on the other side of the N22 road
N22 road
The N22 road is a national primary road in Ireland which goes through counties Kerry and Cork, from Tralee in the west through Killarney, Macroom and Ballincollig to Cork City in the east....
, was identified as the habitat of species of European interest, notably the rare Kerry slug
Kerry Slug
The Kerry slug or Kerry spotted slug, scientific name Geomalacus maculosus, is a rare species of medium-sized to large air-breathing land slug...
.
In 2007 the Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley
John Gormley
John Gormley is an Irish politician. He was the leader of the Irish Green Party from 2007 to 2011, and was a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South East constituency from 1997 to 2011. He served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2007–11...
, proposed the expansion of the existing Special Area of Conservation
Special Area of Conservation
A Special Area of Conservation is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive , also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora...
to include Cascade Wood. The European Environment Agency's records show the SAC as covering 44 ha following an update in 2008.
When the Irish government gave protection to Cascade Wood, it was also agreed that the alignment of a proposed by-pass should avoid the SAC. As at 2011 the new route for the Macroom
Macroom
Macroom is a market town in Ireland located in a valley on the River Sullane, a tributary of the River Lee, between Cork and Killarney. It is one of the key gateways to the tourist region of West Cork. The town recorded a population on 3,553 in the 2006 national census...
-Baile Bhuirne section of the N22 has yet to be constructed.