Cuilcagh Mountain SAC

Protected area type: Special Areas of Conservation
Feature type: 
  • Habitat
County: 
  • Fermanagh
Council: Fermanagh and Omagh
Guidance and literature: Cuilcagh mountain SAC

Cuilcagh Mountain SAC lies within the south-west of Fermanagh and north-west of Cavan and extends to an altitude of 665m.   It is an important upland area with a wide variety of interests, including habitats, species and geology.  The area is the second largest expanse of intact blanket bog in Northern Ireland, with a wide range of characteristic structural features and vegetation communities. 

The bog itself has several pool systems which, in conjunction with Lough Atona, represent one of the best examples of dystrophic lakes and ponds in NI.  On the summit ridge, there is an expanse of the scarce Racomitrium alpine heath. The diverse mosaic of habitats includes scattered wet and dry heath, the steep north-facing siliceous scarp slope with its scree and boulderfield, and occasional Sesleria caerulea dominated limestone grassland and pavement on the lower slopes.

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