Millions of Years
of Evolution
The Biodiversity of the Geopark is nothing short of magnificent. With the ever-changing climate, millions of years of evolution and a landscape shaped and decorated by an abundance of plants and animals, we are consistently in awe of our findings. To us, the Geopark is a playground, a refuge and the most fascinating teacher!
Wonderful Woodlands
Woodlands are in abundance here at the Geopark. After the last Ice Age (around 13,000 years ago), woodlands returned to the island of Ireland, shaping the landscape we see today. Native species such as Oak, Ash, Elm, Birch, Alder, Scots Pine and Yew thrive here, creating a truly breath-taking environment. Woodlands in Ireland fall into two main categories—natural broadleaved and managed coniferous—and the Geopark is proudly home to both. Robins, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes can be seen throughout the year, while in the summer months Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Spotted Flycatchers join the forest choir for a short time.
Beneath the canopy, a rich display of wildflowers flourishes. In places like Castle Caldwell and Cladagh Glen, blankets of bluebells and wild garlic cover the woodland floor, alongside species such as Twayblade Orchids growing along the path edges.
The Geopark is also a haven for mammals. In particular, it provides refuge for two of Ireland’s most endangered species—the Red Squirrel and the Pine Marten. Ely
Lodge Forest and Lough Navar Forest are strongholds for Red Squirrels, while
Pine Martens, being nocturnal, are more elusive, often active under the cover
of darkness.
Beautiful Bogs and Heavenly Heath
Bogs are formed when the remains of plants and organisms build up in cold, waterlogged conditions over thousands of years, creating peat—a valuable record of our landscape’s history.
Sphagnum Moss is central to this process, forming peat at an incredibly slow rate of just 1cm every 1,000 years. This makes boglands especially precious and sensitive environments. Despite low nutrient levels, these habitats support unique plant life. Species such as Butterwort and Sundews have adapted to capture insects, allowing them to thrive.
Peatlands are found throughout the Geopark, with Cuilcagh Mountain Park containing one of the most impressive areas of intact blanket bog in Western Europe. Heathland, while similar, is distinguished by its covering of heather and small shrubs. Found on the slopes of Cuilcagh Mountain and around Big Dog Forest, these areas are also home to one of Ireland’s oldest native reptiles—the Common Lizard.
Wild Wetlands
The Geopark is rich in lakes and waterways. From Upper and Lower Lough Erne to Lough Melvin, Lough MacNean and Lough Oughter, these waters support a diverse range of habitats and species.
Reedbeds, wet grasslands and woodland fringe the larger lakes, while smaller lakes often develop swampy edges alive with dragonflies and damselflies.
Two of Ireland’s most important rivers—the Erne and the Shannon—rise within the Geopark, supporting a wide variety of fish species. Lough Melvin is particularly unique, home to rare fish including Ferox, Gillaroo and Sonaghan trout, as well as Arctic Char and Pollan, species that have survived since the last Ice Age.
Glorious Grasslands
The grasslands of the Geopark are a haven for plant and animal life. Many areas are managed through low-intensity farming, allowing wildflowers to flourish naturally.
In summer, species such as Yellow Rattle, Bulbous Buttercup and Meadow Vetchling bring vibrant colour to the landscape. Sites like Tully Castle, Castle Archdale Forest and the Shannon Pot offer beautiful examples of these rich meadows.
These habitats also support a wide range of pollinators, including butterflies, bees and moths.
Precious Pavements and Calcareous Habitats
Carboniferous Limestone underpins much of the Geopark, playing a vital role in shaping its biodiversity. Many of these habitats are protected due to their significance.
One of the most distinctive features is limestone pavement—formed when glaciers stripped away soil to expose the rock beneath. This unique and complex process has created a landscape that cannot be replicated.
Examples can be seen at Killykeegan and Crossmurrin Nature Reserve, as well as the lower slopes of Cuilcagh Mountain Park.
Subterranean Sites
Beneath the surface, the Geopark’s caves offer a hidden world of geological and ecological importance.
Some caves form long horizontal passages with flowing streams, while others drop into deep vertical shafts. Despite their darkness, they support a variety of life, including bats, freshwater shrimp, moths and spiders.
These caves provide a fascinating insight into the Geopark’s geological past and offer a rare opportunity to explore landscapes shaped over millions of years.