Glengariff Forest
Encyclopedia
Glengarriff Forest is an area of woodland near Glengarriff
, West Cork
, Ireland
. Most of the woodland is a nature reserve
in public ownership which is sometimes referred to as Glengarriff "forest park" or "state forest
".
Glengarriff Forest is one of the best examples in the country of oceanic
sessile oak
woodland. It is part of the much larger Glengarriff Harbour & Woodlands Special Area of Conservation
(SAC).
was created. The Earls of Bantry were responsible for planting some of the trees which are alive in the twenty-first century.
In 1955, ownership of 380ha of the woods passed to the state which used them for commercial forestry purposes. Extensive planting of conifers occurred, and many of the oldest oak trees were felled or ring-barked.
In the 1970s, the ecological value of the remaining areas of oak was recognised and in 1991 a Nature Reserve was designated.
Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve covers some 300ha and is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
for conservation and amenity. Some conifers have been replaced with oak trees.
have been recorded, but regeneration of the forest suffers less from grazing than the similar woods at Killarney
where there is a larger deer population.
The mild climate favours Hiberno-Lusitanian species, such as the Kerry slug
, which are to be found in south-west Ireland and the Iberian peninsula. The Kerry slug thrives in the forest's oak trees, and is a "selection feature" of the Special Area of Conservation. Another example of a Lusitanian species to be found in the forest is the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo).
Glengarriff
Glengarriff is a village of approximately 800 people on the N71 national secondary road in the south-west region of County Cork, Ireland. Known internationally as a tourism venue, it boasts many natural attractions...
, West Cork
West Cork
West Cork refers to a geographical area in south-west Ireland, lying within Ireland's largest county, County Cork. Traditionally a popular tourist destination, the area is seen as being distinct from the more populated northern or eastern parts of the county, as well as the more urban area of...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Most of the woodland is a nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in public ownership which is sometimes referred to as Glengarriff "forest park" or "state forest
State forest
A state forest is a forest that is administered or protected by some agency of a sovereign state.The precise application of the term varies by jurisdiction...
".
Glengarriff Forest is one of the best examples in the country of oceanic
Oceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
sessile oak
Sessile Oak
Quercus petraea , the Sessile Oak, also known as the Durmast Oak, is a species of oak native to most of Europe, and into Anatolia.-Description:...
woodland. It is part of the much larger Glengarriff Harbour & Woodlands Special Area of Conservation
Special Area of Conservation
A Special Area of Conservation is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive , also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora...
(SAC).
History
In the eighteenth century the woods were acquired by the White family for whom the title Earl of BantryEarl of Bantry
Earl of Bantry, of Bantry in the County of Cork, was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1816 for Richard White, 1st Viscount Bantry, who had helped repelling the French invasion at Bantry Bay in 1797...
was created. The Earls of Bantry were responsible for planting some of the trees which are alive in the twenty-first century.
In 1955, ownership of 380ha of the woods passed to the state which used them for commercial forestry purposes. Extensive planting of conifers occurred, and many of the oldest oak trees were felled or ring-barked.
In the 1970s, the ecological value of the remaining areas of oak was recognised and in 1991 a Nature Reserve was designated.
Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve covers some 300ha and is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service manages the Irish State's nature conservation responsibilities. It is part of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government....
for conservation and amenity. Some conifers have been replaced with oak trees.
Flora and Fauna
Sika deerSika Deer
The Sika Deer, Cervus nippon, also known as the Spotted Deer or the Japanese Deer, is a species of deer native to much of East Asia and introduced to various other parts of the world...
have been recorded, but regeneration of the forest suffers less from grazing than the similar woods at Killarney
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932...
where there is a larger deer population.
The mild climate favours Hiberno-Lusitanian species, such as the Kerry slug
Kerry Slug
The Kerry slug or Kerry spotted slug, scientific name Geomalacus maculosus, is a rare species of medium-sized to large air-breathing land slug...
, which are to be found in south-west Ireland and the Iberian peninsula. The Kerry slug thrives in the forest's oak trees, and is a "selection feature" of the Special Area of Conservation. Another example of a Lusitanian species to be found in the forest is the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo).