Where to see and experience Great Irish Grasslands
The Grasslands Trail is a network of publicly accessible grasslands spread across the country. All these sites are managed sensitively, with nature conservation and grassland diversity in mind. Some also have more intensively managed parkland areas – so make sure to explore to find the wildest parts! Summer is the best time to visit most grasslands, but there is likely to be much to see at any time of the year at these great sites.
To begin, this is being rolled out as a pilot initiative, featuring a small number of sites only. Do let us know of other good sites to include (use the Contact Us Form) – and maybe they can be in part of the ‘Grasslands Trail’ in future. It is also hoped to have events and information provision at these sites – but for now, just go and enjoy the grasslands and other delights.
Grassland Trail sites:
As noted above, we will hopefully add to this list over time, building up a network of ‘Grassland Trail’ sites, and develop information to be available both from this website, and at these sites.
Castletown House, Kildare
Owned by OPW
80 acres of summer hay meadow which is cut once a year, with the grass bailed and removed. This reduces the fertility and encourages native wild flowers and grasses. No fertilisers or pesticides are used. The grassland managers here have won a Pollinator Award in recognition of good management for biodiversity. Beautiful colours, especially when species such as yellow rattle and pyramidal orchid are in flower in mid-summer.
Doneraile Estate, Cork
Owned by OPW
Large area of semi-natural damp grassland – beautiful in high summer, with lots of colour, and plenty of orchids.
This site also supports some uncommon grass species, and so is a treat to visit.
Glengarriff Nature Reserve, Cork
Owned by National Parks and Wildlife Service
The Big Meadow is grazed by Kerry cattle and has ant-hills showing that it has never been ploughed. You can access the wonderful grassland via a 3km walk along footpath through woodland. The meadow looks its most impressive in late summer/early autumn with its swathes of purple Devil’s-bit Scabious.
Newbridge House and Farm, Dublin
Owned by Fingal County Council
Large areas of parkland with sensitively managed meadows provide a nice contrast to the grazed areas at this diverse site. Some meadow areas are distinctly damp (look out for species such as Meadowsweet), and others much drier (in spring search for the primroses to help you find the area of calcareous grassland here!).
Sheskinmore Nature Reserve, Donegal
Multiple Owners, including National Parks and Wildlife Service
A scenically stunning site with 300 hectares of fixed dunes, machair grassland, wet grassland, meadows and marsh. Winter grazing by cattle and horses, some summer grazing and also some mowing – all this helps keep this site in great condition for biodiversity. This site is great for orchids and for a range of grassland plants. It’s also a well-known bird site too.
Slieve Carran/Keelhilla Nature Reserve, part of the Burren National Park
Owned by National Parks and Wildlife Service
To a dramatic wooded cliff backdrop, this site boasts limestone pavement, orchid-rich calcareous grassland, woodland and scrub. Winter grazing by cattle is the main management. The site is an excellent place to see a wide range of Burren-speciality plants. There are two short walks c. 1-2 hours along rough paths.
Tymon Park, Dublin
Owned by South Dublin County Council
160 hectares of long flowering meadows (cut once a year), plus over 8 hectares of short flowering Meadows (cut 5 times a year). Owned and managed by South Dublin County Council who are also monitoring the different management regimes. There is even a section of intact esker ridge, with uncommon plants, right by the M50! A delightful nugget of grassland diversity, right on the edge of our capital city.
Photo Credits: Maria Long, Joshua Brown, Clare Heardman and Edwina Cole.