Rushy Hill ASSI

Rushy Hill has been declared as an ASSI because of its species-rich wet grassland. Species-rich grassland tends to occur only where traditional farming practices have been maintained and is now a scarce habitat in Northern Ireland.

Rushy Hill is situated close to the Fermanagh-Leitrim boundary, 5km southeast of Garrison. The area covers the slopes of Rushy Hill. The site forms part of an extensive area of the Dartry Limestone Formation. This limestone is of Carboniferous age and is widespread through much of Fermanagh. The soils on the site have developed from the glacial drift which in turn reflects the underlying solid geology. As such the area is dominated by base-rich surface water gleys which are characterised by very poor drainage. The combination of underlying geology, topography and the related soil hydrology has resulted in an important area of species-rich wet grassland within a small area.