G9684 : Ard-na-Mona Wood – the public entrance

taken 11 years ago, 4 km WNW of Barnesmore, Co Donegal, Ireland

Ard-na-Mona Wood – the public entrance
Ard-na-Mona Wood – the public entrance
On the western shore of Lough Eske in the shadow of Banagher Hill lies the remnant of an ancient Oak woodland that is now rare in Ireland. Here in a demesne, covering much of this square, and G9685 to the north of it, is Ard-na-Mona Wood which over the centuries has been left in its natural state. About 230 acres in size, it runs from here northward along the western shore of the Lough for 1¼ miles. Described as "one of the most picturesque domains in Ireland’s rural landscape", it is also of special scientific interest for its size, natural heritage, and flora. The wood displays habitats of dry areas dominated by Oak, and wet woodland by Alder. In the high canopy are Ash, Rowan and Downy Birch, with Holly, Hazel, and Willow in the understorey.

This is the public entrance to the southern half of Ard-na-Mona Wood, the start of a path circuit laid by the Irish Parks & Wildlife Service for walkers (the northern half of the wood is privately owned). Visitors have much to see in this ancient woodland of predominantly broadleaf trees. Among the large Oaks, the Hazel and Holly are for instance banks of exotic Rhododendrons, some sixty feet tall. They are described as “primeval”, some of them are said to have come from the Imperial Gardens at Peking and the Palace Gardens in Kathmandu in the 19th century. The Wildlife Service advertises other flora (Wood Sage, Bluebell, Foxglove, Bugle, Wild Garlic, Wood Sorrel, Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone and Mosses galore), and there are red squirrel, badger, fox and mink in these woods. Other photos and more about Ard-na-Mona and some of the people who have owned it are at LinkExternal link
Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright D Gore and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
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G9684, 8 images   (more nearby search)
Photographer
Date Taken
Wednesday, 24 April, 2013   (more nearby)
Submitted
Monday, 20 May, 2013
Geographical Context
Uplands  Paths  Lakes, Wetland, Bog  Wild Animals, Plants and Mushrooms  Woodland, Forest 
Place (from Tags)
Lough Eske  Donegal 
Subject Location
Irish: geotagged! G 963 845 [100m precision]
WGS84: 54:42.5115N 8:3.4331W
Camera Location
Irish: geotagged! G 963 844
View Direction
North-northwest (about 337 degrees)
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Ardnamona Wood 

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