woods and forests 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...

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....

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...

Florence Court is romantically named after the wife of Sir John Cole who first built a house on the spectacular site in the early 18th century. The present Paladian style house with a dramatic view over Benaughlin Mountain was probably built by his son John, afterwards the 1st Lord Mount Florence. The wings and pavilions were added to the mid-18th century block around 1770 by William Cole, 1st Earl of Enniskillen, and may have been designed by Davis Ducart. Disaster struck Florence Court in 1...

Ely Lodge Forest Viewpoint overlooking the Lower Lough. Jetty on lough shore....

Located near the famous Marble Arch Caves, the forest offers nature trails, a waterfall and a walk along the Claddagh Glen. Open end of March to September....

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...

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...

The scenic beauty and the variety of the landscape make Northern Ireland a great place to explore on foot. The wide scatter of villages and small towns across the country means that forest trails, clifftop paths, mountain hikes and pleasant strolls in country parks are literally on everybody's doorstep. The best known trail - certainly the longest at 560 miles ! - is the Ulster Way . This famous circular path, now largely waymarked, runs all round Northern Ireland and has other tra...

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....