Skip to main content
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Boorin Nature Reserve

    Topics:
    • Land and Landscapes, 
    • Biodiversity, 
    • Nature Reserves

    Nature reserves are chosen from among the very best examples of our wildlife, habitats and geology. They contain a wide range of species, communities and geology and their designation is a public recognition by Government of their importance.

    Location

    Boorin National Nature Reserve is located approximately 0.75 of a kilometre South East of Gortin village, in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Access to this glorious site is via the B84 to the Omagh road.

    Sights and sounds

    The heaths and heathers you see today are only a thin cover, clothing the debris of glaciers long ago. Around 10,000 years ago, the ice sheets that were left behind included large amounts of sands and gravels which covered much of Northern Ireland. At Boorin, these glacial deposits are shaped in the form of a small pointed hill. Over time, the areas in between have become filled with either peat bog or small Loughs known as kettle-hole lakes.

    During summer time, visitors will be able to hear the birdsong of skylarks and a number of families looking to explore the surrounding countryside. They might also even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a covey of red grouse as it erupts from the heather.

    At the north end of the reserve, on a steep slope overlooking Gortin is an area of oak-birch woodland. The moist air combined with the climate in the woods has helped to form a variety of mosses on the tree trunks.

    Visitors are asked not to bring dogs on to the site as there is grazing cattle nearby.

    At present, Boorin National Nature Reserve has one interpretation panel, adjacent to the car park southwest of the site.

    Facilities

    Car parking close to Gortin Lakes just off the B48.

    Further information

    Site Manager: 02866344803

    Related content

    • Altikeeragh Nature Reserve
    • Annagariff Nature Reserve
    • Ballymaclary Nature Reserve
    • Ballynahone Nature Reserve
    • Ballyquintin National Nature Reserve
    • Banagher Glen Nature Reserve
    • Belshaw's Quarry
    • Binevenagh Nature Reserve
    • Bohill Nature Reserve
    • Brackagh Nature Reserve
    • Breen Oakwood
    • Brookend Nature Reserve
    • Castle Archdale Islands Nature Reserve
    • Cloghy Rocks Nature Reserve
    • Correl Glen Nature Reserve
    • Giant's Causeway National Nature Reserve
    • Glenariff Nature Reserve
    • Granagh Bay Nature Reserve
    • Hanging Rock and Rossaa Forest Nature Reserve
    • Hollymount Forest National Nature Reserve
    • Killard Nature Reserve
    • Killeter Nature Reserve
    • Killykeeghan and Crossmurrin Nature Reserve
    • Lough Beg National Nature Reserve
    • Lough Naman Bog Nature Reserve
    • Lough Neagh Islands Nature Reserve
    • Magilligan Point Nature Reserve
    • Marlbank Nature Reserve
    • Meenadoan Nature Reserve
    • Mullenakill Nature Reserve
    • Murlough National Nature Reserve
    • North Strangford Lough National Nature Reserve
    • Oxford Island National Nature Reserve
    • Portrush Nature Reserve
    • Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve
    • Randalstown Forest Nature Reserve
    • Rathlin Kebble Nature Reserve
    • Rea's Wood Nature Reserve
    • Reilly and Gole Woods Nature Reserve
    • Roe Estuary Nature Reserve
    • Ross Lough Nature Reserve
    • Rostrevor Oakwood Nature Reserve
    • Slieveanorra Nature Reserve
    • Straidkilly Nature Reserve
    • The Dorn Nature Reserve
    • The Murrins Nature Reserve
    • Turmennan Fen Nature Reserve
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens