Owenkillew River SAC

This SAC includes the river (42 km stretch) and its associated riverine flora and fauna and adjacent semi-natural vegetation, primarily woodland flora and fauna.

The river rises at an altitude of 415m and flows into the River Strule at an altitude of 35m. It is a fast-flowing spate river; notable for the physical diversity and naturalness of the bank and channel, the richness and naturalness of its plant and animal communities, which includes extensive beds of Stream Water Crowfoot Ranunculus penicillatus var. penicillatus and the largest Northern Ireland population of the now rare Fresh Water Pearl Mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. In addition, the river is important for Otter and Atlantic Salmon.

The adjacent woodlands include Drumlea and Mullan Woods ASSI and the Owenkillew and Glenelly Woods ASSI, two of the largest stands of Oak woodland in Northern Ireland.