Kirlish ASSI

The area is of special scientific interest for its woodland and grassland habitats.

The wood is described as oakwood and occurs along the north - east facing slope of a small river valley on the lower eastern flank of Bolaght Mountain.

Although dominated by sessile oak, Kirlish also contains a range of woodland communities with a high structural diversity and rich assemblage of plant species.

On the upper slopes towards the north - western end of the wood there is an area of species rich wet grassland which is highly variable depending on the local soil conditions, but is generally of the purple moor - grass type.
The central area of the wood is dominated by tall sessile oak and downy birch and the well developed shrub layer is consists of holly, rowan and some hazel.

The field layer is characterised by bramble, bilberry, hard fern, broad buckler - fern, hay - scented buckler - fern and the rare beech fern.
The ground flora is dominated by bluebell. wood sorrel, occasional great wood - rush, pignut, tufted hair - grass, and hairy wood - rush.