woods and forests around fermanagh

Large, weathered oaks, 400 years old or more, grown in the ancient, native woodland on Inishfendra. These trees are occupied by the largest nesting heron colony in Ireland, with one oak supporting as many as 13 nests. Years ago oak was extracted for timber and now young ash and alder have grown up to fill the space in the canopy. Here, as at Marble Arch Reserve, the variety of plants and lichens indicate that this is a long established woodland. Goldilocks and early purple orchid grown under t...

Reilly Wood has old oak trees planted some 150 years ago under the management of Crom Estate. The trees are evenly spaced with full crowns which prevent light reaching the woodland floor, where bilberry, wood sorrel and young trees flourish. At the south of Reilly Wood, a thick band of rhododendron was originally planted as shelter for game. Unfortunately it encroached into the woodland but through careful management has now been removed, allowing heather and native trees, especially birch and...

Lough Navar Forest Drive A 7 mile long tarmaced road through hundreds of hectares of conifer forest. Major viewpoint over Lower Lough Erne. Numerous vista parks, view points and picnic sites have been constructed where the motorist can drive in and enjoy the scenery. One particular vista park overlooking Lower Lough Erne is perched right on a cliff edge and must afford the most spectacular view in Fermanagh. It is from this car park that the northern end of the Fermanagh Lakeland R...

Castle caldwell Forest Promontaries of forest surrounded by the Lough. An important conservation forest with bird sanctuaies and visiting red deer. Old castle. Jetty on lough shore....

Castle Archdale Forest The forest adjoins the Castle Archdale Country Park. Old castle. Jetty on lough shore....

Spring Grove Parking in the village. Mised conifer and broadleaved forest....

The exceptional harmony of woodland, water, parkland and old buildings gives Crom its very special quality. One of the most important nature conservation sites owned by the National Trust, the estate woodlands consist of fine stands of ancient oak, providing a rich and diverse habitat, while the shoreline of Crom support many very rare plants. The fine old buildings which enhance the landscape include Crom Old Castle, Crichton Tower and Crom Church....

The sheltered Castle, Birch and Kellums Bays fringe the predominantly conifer and beech forest at Castlecaldwell. These three bays are managed as a nature reserve and are just a short walk through the woodland from the Exhibition Centre.

The journey through the woodland bypasses the old 17th Century castle which lies in ruins. Birds nest in its ivy clad walls. Nearing the bays, old oak trees form a ghost line along what was exposing new land. This foreshore has been colonised by natural...