Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve

Site Details

County
Offaly
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.
Area
2,300
Established
1985
Coordinates
Latitude: 53.10805556
Longitude: 0.926910429
Ownership
State-owned

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