Red Kites in Ireland

The Red Kite is one of the most beautiful birds of prey and has been re-introduced to the Wicklow Mountains in recent years by the Irish Golden Eagle Trust. A large number of sightings of the Red Kite in Ireland have taken place near Aughavannagh Cottage  in recent years. Originally quite widely found in Ireland, the Red Kite is one of a number of raptors or Irish birds of prey that became extinct at the turn of the century due to relentless persecution. Today – with the support of the entire community in Wicklow, the Red Kite can be seen soaring in the skies from Glendalough and Glenmalure near this Wicklow cottage and as far as away as Redcross near the village of Aughrim.

The support of bird lovers in Wales has been instrumental in the re-introduction of the Red Kite to the Wicklow Mountains. The Ow Valley (running south east of Lugnaquilla towards Brittas Bay and the coast) has recorded a number of recent sightings of the Red Kite in Wicklow- ensuring that those renting an Irish cottage at Aughavannagh have a reasonable chance of seeing this magnificent bird in full flight near this beautiful Wicklow self catering Irish holiday cottage.
(Many thanks to Siobhan McNamara for the lovely photographs!)