woods and forests tyrone

The Forest Park was opened in 1967 and embraces over 405 hectares of the much larger forest of Gortin Glen. It has the distinction of being the first to be established in a purely coniferous woodland which has been planted for the prime purpose of producing a commercial crop of timber. A major feature of the Forest Park is the 5 mile long tarmac drive through the forest which offers some breathtaking views. A number of vista parks have been constructed where the motorist can pull in and witho...

Like many areas in NW Europe, the hills of West Tyrone receive high rainfall from the prevailing Atlantic winds. This high moisture and cool climate waterlog the soil so that normal breakdown of plant remains is extremely slow. Because of this, peat covers large areas of upland. It is known as blanket bog. Today much of the blanket bog in Ireland has been exploited for fuel or planted over with conifer trees. Killeter Nature Reserve comprises two areas where the 'blanket' of peat is deep...

At Lumford's Glen, near knockmany is another peaceful forest walk. The main attraction of this woodland walk is the waterfall, a spectacular sight especially in the rainy season. Magnificent oak and beech dwarf the surrounding trees at the top of the glen....

Climb on board for a short train ride - or travel further afield on a special mainline steam excursion. Many engines and coaches are on display in transport museums and railway centres, with memorabilia from the golden age of steam. The first railway in Ireland opened in 1834, and the network quickly reached into all corners of the island. By 1920 almost 3,500 miles of track threaded the countryside and no Irish town was more than 10 miles from a railway station. Ireland's national railw...

The attractive eighteenth-century demense is now a forest park. The walled garden has been planted as a butterfly garden and the broad paths are ideal for wheelchair users. Huge hemlocks in the arboretum and a splendid view across parkland down to twin artificial lakes are pleasures to be savoured. There is a fine cypress walk and the chance to examine forest plots which the forest Service has planned with a variety of native and exotic dexiduous and evergreen trees. Facilities include: Tour...

A variety of nature walks and waymarked trails which meander through this mature forest park, along the river banks and past the small pond where various species of duck are found. Other facilities include museum, picnic area, toilets, car park, and a camp and caravan area. Colourful in spring with daffodils and rhododendrons and home to a herd of white fallow deer. Nature trail runs through oak and beech trees, passing a victorian garden, wishing well and old archway. Exhibition and lecture...

This steep wooded hill, north of Augher, is topped by huge stones with remarkable inscribed designs of the Bronze Age tomb of Knockmany. They are inscribed with the finest example of megalithic art in Ulster and are siad to be the final resting place of Aine, the shadowy 2nd century queen. The view from the monument is superb. The walk to the stones and viewpoint is quite steep and fairly strenuous along a pathway - 1-1/4 miles from the upper carpark. Knockmany Ardunshin Lough This walk i...

Large upland coniferous forest set in the foothills of the Sperrins. Herd of wild Sila deer....

Although small (50 acres) this raised bog has not been disturbed by cutting, drainage or burning. From analysis of pollen preserved in the bog we know that Meenadoan has grown from a small lake which existed at the end of the last ice age around 13,000 years ago. The bed of this lake is now 14 metres below the present surface. This mass of peat has preserved clues to history that can tell us how the landscape looked centuries ago. below the present surface.

Fed only by rain, the surface...

Wild flower meadow and deer lawn. St Patrick's chair, a gigantic Druid stone, with nearby Well credited with healing powers....