The State has paid nearly €2 million for 19 hectares (47 acres) of land close to the historic monastic site at Glendalough as part of its plan for the expansion of the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
The purchase, which was overseen by Environment Minister Dick Roche, includes land on the valley floor in Glendalough, along the lower lake and close to the landmark round tower and monastic remains, which continues to be one of the most visited attractions in the State.
The land is in three separate plots and includes sites overlooking the lower lake and round tower and well-known walking routes, including parts of St Kevin's Road.
A number of megalithic and bronze age monuments such as the Seven Fonts, a large bullaun stone, are also on the land.
The name of the vendor is not being released by the Department of the Environment, which conducted negotiations on the sale, as part of a confidentiality agreement requested by the vendor.
However, the €1.7 million price paid for the land is the equivalent of €36,170 an acre which is close to the price paid in Co Wicklow for industrial development land.
It is well in excess of the €10,000 an acre which agricultural land with no development potential usually reaches in the greater Dublin area.
Yesterday Mr Roche, a TD for the area, said the land bought includes classic views of Glendalough and "arguably the most popular and most photographed vantage point for the round tower".
He said the area bought also includes land along the lower lake at Glendalough where the National Parks and Wildlife Service has provided wheelchair-accessible boardwalking.
"I am delighted with this acquisition, which will enhance our ability to protect and conserve some of Ireland's most important and best-loved national monuments for posterity," Mr Roche said.
"These lands will now become incorporated into Wicklow Mountains National Park, consolidating the land holding around the lower lake."
Apart from its attraction as a historic monastic site, Glendalough is one of the most popular starting-off points for walkers in Ireland. A significant number of designated walking paths into and through the Wicklow Mountains National Park begin at the valley floor.
A number of board walks and stone paths up onto the higher ground around the valley have also been developed.
The issue of access in parts of the Wicklow uplands area has been contentious, with a considerable portion of the land in private ownership. There have been ongoing discussions between Wicklow County Council, the Wicklow Uplands Council, and farming representative bodies, in a bid to designate specific walking routes throughout the area.
The Glendalough land purchase is the second significant land acquisition for the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Earlier this year the Department of the Environment purchased 1,600 acres of land at Lugalla from a member of the Guinness brewing family, the Honourable Garech Browne.
The €1.7 million purchase of the land, equivalent in size to the Phoenix Park , enabled two sections of the Wicklow Mountains National Park to be joined together.