Crom Estate is located in South Fermanagh on the shores of Upper Lough Erne and is host to an amazing range of semi-natural habitats spanning across wetland, grassland, parkland and woodland. The estate straddles both sides of the lough covering an area of around 788 ha. The quality and diversity of the habitats means Crom is an important conservation site, a fact recognised by both national and international designations. Crom has some of the best examples of parkland habitat in Northern Ireland, the underlying grassland habitat varies from semi-improved grassland to purple moor-grass and rush pasture, and lowland meadow with Common Spotted-orchid, eyebright, Cat’s-ear, Common Knapweed, Yellow-rattle, Red Clover and Ribwort Plantain.
Species-rich wet grassland is extensive, often forming complex transitions with fen, reedbed and swamp habitat. These grasslands are characterised by Creeping Bent and Jointed Rush, with a range of herbs such as Creeping-Jenny, Ragged-Robin, Marsh Pennywort and Lesser Spearwort. Fen ‘meadows’ are characterised by both Yellow and Purple-loosestrife, with Marsh Cinquefoil and Meadowsweet in abundance. The quality of the grassland communities found at Crom is reflected in the large number of rare and notable plants found there including Cowbane, Marsh Pea, Greater Water-parsnip, and Blue-eyed-grass.
