Designation
Grid Reference: C 672045
Description
This reserve holds some of the last fragments of what were once extensive woods covering much of the north-west. The steep sides of the glens are clothed by mature trees, mostly oak and ash, with an understory of rowan, hazel, hawthorn and holly. Ferns and mosses thrive in damp shady nooks along the river banks.
Drifts of primroses, bluebells, wood sorrel and wood anemone brighten the woodland floor in spring. In early summer, the woods are filled with the sound of birdsong while on warm days in mid summer, watch out for the fast flying silver-washed fritillary butterflies and common hawker dragonflies. Autumn frosts bring shades of russet and yellow to the glen.
On most days you can see buzzards circling overhead or sparrowhawks darting through the tree-tops and patience may be rewarded by the sight of a stoat or red squirrel.
Legend says that when Saint Patrick was driving all the snakes out of Ireland and into the sea, he first drove them into the rivers. One local serpent was too large to move from its pool in the Glenedra Water so Patrick imprisoned it there where it still lives to this day!
Please note: Most of the woodland is on fragile soils on the steep glen sides. Visitors are therefore asked to keep to the roadway. This will help to protect the tree seedlings which are essential to the survival of the wood and cannot withstand trampling.
Facilities
Car Parking at trailhead car park off main NIWater access road.
For further details contact Roe Valley Country Park Tel. 028 7772 1925.
For other places of interest near Banagher search discovernorthernireland.com