Dromore Woods Nature Reserve, Ruan, Clare, Ireland

About Dromore Woods Nature Reserve

”Welcome to Dromore Woods, a nature reserve of approximately one thousand acres in County Clare, Ireland. It has all the attributes necessary for the perfect visit - woods, lakes and a castle. Managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. Originally part of a private estate belonging to the Crowe Family, Dromore Wood was acquired by the state in the 1940’s and worked as a commercial forest. During the 1980’s, The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) took over the management of Dromore with an emphasis on the regeneration of native species. In 1985, it became a statutory Nature Reserve. Covering an area of approximately one thousand acres Dromore Wood has all the attributes necessary for the perfect Nature Reserve. These include rivers, lakes, turloughs and callows (meadows that flood during winter), limestone pavement, fen peat, reed and rush beds and vast areas of species-rich woodland. The area comprises perfect habitat for a huge variety of flora and fauna species. As well as the natural, the Reserve also has an historical and archaeological aspect. The 17th century O’Brien castle stands by the lake edge. There are also the sites of Cahermacrea Castle and Kilakee Church, two ring forts, a limekiln, a children’s burial ground and a chapel. Dromore Wood has long had a reputation as a stronghold of the rare and elusive Pine Marten. You may not see a Pine Marten, they are mainly nocturnal, but along the various trails and paths in the Reserve, their scats (droppings) are regularly seen. A study of the Dromore martens during the 1970’s by Warner and O’Sullivan is still regarded as a major reference for the species. Despite a decrease in Red Squirrel numbers countrywide, there remains a healthy population in Dromore Wood and they are regularly observed as they feed on the ripening hazel crop. There are also a number of active Badger sets within the Reserve, and Stoat, Fox and Hares are commonly seen as are the smaller mammals such as Shrews and Woodmice. At least eight of the nine species of Irish bats are known to inhabit the area of Dromore and there are a number of bat roosts both within and on the perimeter of the wood. Throughout the year, berries, fruits and nuts which grow freely in Dromore Wood provide an essential food source for Badgers, Squirrels and other mammals as well as numerous species of birds. Read more

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