Nature Reserves in County Antrim

Breen Oakwood (Nature Reserve)

The wood is a rare example of mature oakwood on Dalradian soils and is representative of the type of woodland thought to have covered NE Antrim in former times. Predominant tree species are sessile oak, birch and rowan. There is a dense ground cover of woodrush Luzula and bracken. The humidity of the site is reflected in the rich variety of fern, moss and lichen epiphytes

Map reference: D 124337, 4 miles South of Ballycastle
Hectares: 21
Relict mature oakwood
Access by farm lane from public road to north
Spring and summer

Glenariff Waterfalls (Nature Reserve)

The reserve is situated within the most famous of the Nine Glens of Antrim. The deep gorge and a succession of spectacular waterfalls provide optimum conditions for the growth of a rich bryophyte community.

Map reference: D210205, 3 mls SW of Waterfoot
Hectares: 8
Rich bryophytes in gorge with waterfalls
Access by path from Forest Park
All year

Randalstown Forest Lough Neagh (Nature Reserve)

Randalstown Forest is a small nature reserve on the north shore of Lough Neagh. The shoreline here is part of a much larger wildfowl refuge that extends from the Sixmilewater River in the east to Blackrock Bay in the west.

The area is not typical of most of the Lough Neagh shoreline as it is not grazed by cattle and is therefore heavily wooded. Parts of the wood are dry with ash, hawthorn and blackthorn but other parts are very wet with alder and willow trees.

Rea's Wood Forest Lough Neagh (Nature Reserve)

The reserve forms one of the largest unspoilt areas of natural woodlands developing on land resulting from periodical lowerings of Lough Neagh during the past fifty years. There is a rich and varied ground flora, succeeded by sapling growth of willow and alder. Several very rare invertebrates have been recorded.

Map reference: J1543855, 1 mile SW of Antrim
Hectares: 26.5
Scrub woodland and fen
Access via numerous paths from behind hotel
Spring and summer

Slieveanorra Forest (Nature Reserve)

The reserve consists of three portions all concerned with peat development, erosion and regeneration. The first site on the summit of the mountain displays severe peat erosion and recolonisation of bare areas, the clubmoss Lycopodium alpinum occurs. The second site displays an interesting system of natural erosion channels in blanket bog. The third and lowest site provides a good example of Sphagnum hummocks and regeneration pools and is very rich in Sphagnum and Carex species.

Map reference: D134267; D145272; D154280, 8 miles SW of Cushendun
Hectares: 49
Peat erosion, pool and hummock bog
Access direct from public road and via forest road to summit of Slieveanorra
Spring