Galway

Coole-Garryland & Ballynastaig Wood Nature Reserves

Co. Galway

Location: Near Gort, Co. Galway

Area (ha.): 9.76 & 363.58 
These two reserves, through their combination of deciduous woods, limestone reefs, lakes and turloughs, constitute one of the most interesting Irish vegetation and faunal complexes still in existence. The Coole-Garryland reserve contains a variety of floral habitats including well-formed high forest on deep pockets of soil, dwarf woodland on limestone pavement and a turlough complex in the Callows and Coole Lake. A large portion of this reserve was formerly owned by Lady Gregory, co-founder with W.B. Yeats and Edward Martyn of the Abbey Theatre.
Established 1983.  State owned.

Visit the Coole Park website @ www.coolepark.ie

Clochar na gCon/Bealacooan Bog Nature Reserve

Co. Galway

Location: Situated in South Connemara, approximately two miles north of Inverin.

Area (ha.): 1,247
This bog forms part of the greater Connemara Bog Complex. It is a classic and intact example of atlantic or oceanic blanket bog, with a diverse flora which includes a number of scarce plant species and a blanket bog fauna which includes many of Ireland's and Europe's more important and threatened species. Actively growing bog is a priority EU habitat.
Established 1999.  State owned.

Derrycrag Wood Nature Reserve and Rosturra Wood Nature Reserve

Co. Galway

Location: Derrycrag 1 km south-east of Woodford; Rosturra 3 km east-north-east of Woodford.

Area (ha.): 110.48 & 17.68
These Reserves comprise fragments of a once extensive forest and now contain stands of oak and ash with an understorey of holly and hazel and a rich ground flora. Established 1983. State owned.

Leam West Bog Nature Reserve

Co. Galway

Location: Situated two miles south-east of Maam Cross.

Area (ha.): 373.48
The bog is of international importance. It is an area of very diverse blanket bog developed over both acid and base rich rocks at the north east limit of the Connemara blanket bogs. It forms part of one of the largest areas of intact bog in Connemara and it is one of the few sites containing both lowland and highland bog. A large number of habitats occur including rock outcrops, bog pools, extremely wet quaking areas, streams and relatively nutrient rich flushes.
Established in 1991. State owned.

Pollnaknockaun Wood Nature Reserve

Co. Galway

Location: 1 km north-east of Woodford village.

Area (ha.): 38.85
A semi-natural woodland which once formed part of the extensive forest referred to under, Rosturra Wood & Derrycrag Wood.
Established 1983. State owned.

Richmond Esker Nature Reserve

Co. Galway

Location: 4 km north-west of Moylough.

Area (ha.): 15.7
Along with Timahoe Esker Nature Reserve, one of the few esker ridges left in the country, which still carry native woodland. Although extensively planted with conifers and other exotic species it is planned to expand the native woodland using appropriate management techniques.
Established 1985. State owned.