UNESCO biospheres

Established in 1971, UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme (MAB) is an intergovernmental scientific programme that examines the consequences of human interaction with the environment.

The World Network of Biosphere Reserves includes 669 biosphere reserves across 120 countries. Ireland is home to two biosphere reserves: Kerry and Dublin.

Designation date: 1982

Located just south-west of the city of Killarney in south-west Ireland, Kerry biosphere reserve (former Killarney) comprises the mountains and woodlands surrounding Lough Leane Lake and adjacent smaller lakes, moorlands, parks and gardens.

Designation date: 1981

The Dublin Bay Biosphere Reserve (former North Bull Island) comprises Dublin Bay, North Bull Island and adjacent land, including parts of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland.

It is one of the finest sand dune systems in Ireland and is internationally important in terms of its conservation value. There are high quality examples of several rare and threatened coastal habitats present on the island