Laois

Coolacurragh Wood Nature Reserve

Location:
These reserves are situated about 8 km north-west of Durrow, Co. Laois.
GPS:
Latitude: 52.816
Longitude: -7.666
Area (ha.):
8.5

This reserve is an example of wet woodland on base-rich soils. It is dominated by alder, ash and birch with hawthorn in the shrub layer. The herb layer is dominated by bramble, nettle and meadowsweet.

Animals and plants of interest:
Fish in the lake provide Kingfishers, Cormorants and Otter with food. Otter tracks may be found in muddy places by the lake.
Established:
1982
Ownership:
State-owned

Grantsown Wood and Granston Lough Nature Reserve

Location:
These reserves are situated about 8 km north-west of Durrow, Co. Laois.
GPS:
Latitude: 52.87
Longitude: -7.502
Area (ha.):
48.6

These reserves are examples of wet woodland on base-rich soils. They are dominated by alder, ash and birch with hawthorn in the shrub layer. The herb layer is dominated by bramble, nettle and meadowsweet. Granstown Lough is a classic example of a lake which has gradually infilled through fen to alder carr. 

Animals and plants of interest:
Fish in the lake provide Kingfishers, Cormorants and Otter with food. Otter tracks may be found in muddy places by the lake.
Established:
1982
Ownership:
State-owned

Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve

Location:
The Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve lies on the Offaly – Laois border, in the midlands of Ireland. There are several ways to access the range. The M7 motorway (from Dublin to Limerick) passes south of the nature reserve. There are a number of parking facilities available. At the Ridge of Capard , there is a car park, three way-marked circular trails and a viewing platform overlooking the surrounding countryside. Here the long distance walk, the Slieve Bloom Way, also passes through the nature reserve.
GPS:
Latitude: 53.074479
Longitude: -7.612314
Area (ha.):
2,300

The Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve is, at over 2,300 hectares, Ireland’s largest state-owned Nature Reserve. It was established in 1985, so that it could be managed in such a way as to ensure the conservation of the mountain blanket bog ecosystem. In addition, the Nature Reserve is designated a Ramsar Wetland Site and a Council of Europe Biogenetic Reserve. Much of the greater upland area has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The primary interest of the SAC is mountain blanket bog. The Slieve Bloom Mountains are also designated a Special Protection Area (SPA), of special conservation interest for the hen harrier, a rare bird of prey.

For more on Visiting the Nature Reserve, Activities, News and Events plus information on Conservation Projects and Wildlife click the link below.

Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve NPWS Page

Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve Website

 

Established:
1985
Ownership:
State-owned

Timahoe Esker Nature Reserve

Location:
1 km north-east of Timahoe
GPS:
Latitude: 52.97
Longitude: -7.196
Area (ha.):
13.5

Ash woodland with pedunculate oak and grey willow, hawthorn and hazel. The herb layer includes bluebell, bugle and shield fern.

Animals and plants of interest:
Bluebells carpet the woods in Spring and Long tailed Tits can be found nesting among the brambles.
Established:
1985
Ownership:
State-owned