Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are those which have been given greater protection under the European legislation of The Habitat's Directive. They have been designated because of a possible threat to the special habitats or species which they contain and to provide increased protection to a variety of animals, plants and habitats of importance to biodiversity both on a national and international scale.
Designated SACs in Northern Ireland
There are currently 57 SACs designated in Northern Ireland, 54 of which are highlighted in the table below.
The Conservation Objectives for these sites have been reviewed and are available for download and view below, along with the reasons for designation and a map of each site. Please note that these are working documents and may be reviewed as additional information becomes available.
Special Areas of Conservation
Aughnadarragh Lough
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down, North Down and Ards
Ballykilbeg
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Ballynahone Bog
Council area - Mid Ulster
Banagher Glen
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens
Bann Estuary
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens
Binevenagh
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens
Black Bog
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Breen Wood
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens
Carn-Glenshane Pass
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid Ulster
Cladagh (Swanlinbar) River
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Cranny Bogs
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Cuilcagh Mountain
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Curran Bog
Council area - Mid Ulster
Dead Island Bog
Council area - Mid Ulster
Deroran Bog
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Derryleckagh
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Eastern Mournes
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Fairy Water Bogs
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh, Derry City and Strabane
Fardrum & Roosky Turloughs
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Garron Plateau
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim
Garry Bog
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim
Hollymount
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Largalinny
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Lecale Fens
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Lough Melvin
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Magheraveely Marl Loughs
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Magilligan
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens
Main Valley Bogs
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim
Monawilkin
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Moneygal Bog
Council area - Derry City and Strabane
Moninea Bog
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Montiaghs Moss
Council area - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Murlough
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
North Antrim Coast
Council area - North Antrim Coast
Owenkillew River
Council area - Derry City and Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster
Peatlands Park
Council area - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Pettigoe Plateau
Council area - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Rathlin Island
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens
Rea's Wood & Farr's Bay
Council area - Antrim and Newtownabbey
River Faughan & Tributaries
Council area - Derry City and Strabane
River Foyle & Tributaries
Council area - Derry City and Strabane
River Roe & Tributaries
Council area - Causeway Coast and Glens
Rostrevor Wood
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Slieve Beagh
Council area - Mid Ulster
Slieve Gullion
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Strangford Lough
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down, North Down and Ards
Teal Lough
Council area - Mid Ulster
Tonnagh Beg Bog
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Tully Bog
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Turmennan
Council area - Newry Mourne and Down
Upper Ballinderry River
Council area - Mid Ulster
Upper Lough Erne
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
West Fermanagh Scarplands
Council area - Fermanagh and Omagh
Wolf Island Bog
Council area - Mid Ulster
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