Updated on 7th July 2005

Clifden Glen nestles peacefully within a valley. The two parallel ridges to the north and to the south consist of heath land with rock outcropping. Clifden Glen is bounded by the Owenglin River to the north and south. North of the river, shallower slopes are covered in parallel bands of scrub oak. There is also an extensive area of open land, subject to periodic flooding. These various habitats support a diversity of flora and fauna, which are controlled by the geology and the climate of Connemara.

Low lying pasture

The largest low lying area provides a precious habitat for flora. The water table is within 1.0-1.5m of the surface, leaving the area prone to flooding. The soil is alluvial sandy silt. The generally damp area can witness heavy rainfalls often exceeding 1250mm/a. In the higher drier ground near Clifden Lodge a variety of grasses and herbs can be seen, including Dogs-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), and Bent (Agrostis capillaris) with Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), Catsear (Hydrochaeris radicata), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and White clover (Trifolium repens).

Towards the river, the lower wetter soils give growth to stands of Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus), accompanied by tussocks of Common rush (Juncus effuses). The bright green stems of Juncus effusus are cylindrical. Without leaves or nodes, these stems softly taper to a bristle.

The flowers and fruit emerge a few inches below the tip. Some of this low lying area is also covered in Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum). Bracken also grows in the sheltered areas on the escarpment and in and near the oak scrub-woodland. This well known deciduous fern may reach several feet in height. They first appear in spring when the delicate new fronds slowly unfurl. During summer the backs of the leaves cover with tiny cases and release millions of spores.

High pasture and Heath

Throughout the year purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea) colours the gentle slopes of the escarpment. As the slope increases purple moor-grass surrenders to the dominant heath vegetation. Ling (Calluna vulgaris) and Cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) are principal species at Clifden Glen and are two of the most common heathers on the hilly Irish landscape. Ling heather is packed very close together and with very small leaves it is barely visible to the naked eye. To distinguish the Bell Heather notice the larger leaves and the way which the flowers are positioned at various points on the stem. St Dabeoc's heath (Daboecia cantabrica) is a native species of Clifden Glen. The Irish distribution of this unusual heather is limited to Galway and Mayo. The hardy evergreen sub-shrub has glossy dark green leaves and white on the underside. St Dabeoc's heath flowers in early summer and very often again in early autumn until the frost occurs. The flowers are bell shaped and their colour ranges from white through lavender to deep purple. It is believed that this plant genus was named after Dadeoc, the youngest son of a welsh chieftain who founded a monastery on an island in Lough Derg. It provides excellent ground cover and is very effective when mingled with shrubs such as Western gorse (Ulex galli), also found at Clifden Glen.

Atlantic blanket bog

The Atlantic blanket bog, a characteristic habitat of Connemara, occurs in the fields between the Galway/Clifden road and the Owenglin River, in waterlogged hollows and level ground in the escarpment. Parts of the bog have been used in the past for turf cutting. Cut-away depressions are regenerating well with species of Bog-moss (Sphagnum spp.), Bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), Bog cotton (Eriophorum anqustifolium) and Bog myrtle (Myrica gale). Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) and heath spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) were also found.

Rock outcrops and stone walls

There are numerous rock outcrops and stone walls scattered around Clifden Glen. The skirts of stone walls provide a habitat for drought tolerant English stonecrop (Sedum anglicum). Rock surfaces are very often extensively covered in lichen. Crustose lichens are common on exposed rocks and stone walls and cover their support like a crust (crustaceous). Foliose lichen cover more sheltered surfaces. Lichen can also be found on the stems and branches of trees and shrubs above the influence of animals. Lichen is a combination of alga and fungus. Alga can produce food from sunlight whereas fungi cannot. The fungus can however provide a substrate for the alga and often frees essential minerals from the rock, which the alga can use. This co-dependency secures the plants survival and is known as symbiosis.

Oak scrub woodland

The most characteristic feature of the flora at Clifden Glen is the scrub-woodland. The dominant tree is Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) with a few Birch (Betula pendula) and Alder (Alnus glutinosa). Older trees are estimated to be 80-100 years. An extensive belt of Sessile Oak trees stretches north of the Owenglin River, on the southern and south eastern slopes. The distribution of oak is patchy and has been unable to progress to forest.

The most sheltered hollows have allowed the Sessile oak to achieve their best size and form. These large deciduous trees can usually grow up to 30m, taking approximately 200 years to mature. The tallest oak in Clifden Glen stands at almost 14m, a substantial height when compared to the much lower average. In exposed areas the trees carry evidence of storm and wind damage. Individual trees at the edge of groups have suffered most from the prevailing winds. Scrub is limited and they are very often stunted and deformed.

The ground flora under oak includes Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), Primrose (Primula vulgaris) and Hard fern (Blechnum spicant). The thick rough bark provides a temporary habitat for a large number of insects; the oak provides sustenance for them. Where water courses run through the shrub-woodland plants such as Water mint (Mentha aquatica), Marsch willow herb (Epilobium palustre), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) occur.

Riverbank vegetation

The banks of the Owenglen river are mostly vegetated by tree and shrub species. Downy birch (Betula pubescens) and Willows Salix aurita and Salix cinerea provide a dense narrow belt of scrub on the riverbank opposite Woods's field. Alder (Alnus glutinosa) can be found near the bridge with the following occurring: the naturalised Montbretia (Tritonia crocosmiiflora), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Golden rod (Solidago virgaurea), Marsh ragwort (Senecio aquaticus), Bitter vetch (Lathyrus montanus), St. John's wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), Angelica (Angelica sylvestris), Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), Ling (Calluna vulgaris) and Gorse (Ulex europaeus).

The ground flora on the southern bank differs because the shade is much greater and includes Wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum), Hard fern (Blechnum spicant), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Scaly male fern (Dryopteris pseudo-filix-mas).

Birch-Hazel Scrub

This vegetation separates the Galway/Clifden road from the site. The scrub consists of Hazel (Corylus avellana), Birch (Betula ssp.), Oak (Quercus petraea), Willows, Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum). The ground flora includes Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), Ivy (Hedera helix) and Royal fern (Osmunda regalis).

This information is a summary of the Flora and Fauna Section of the EIS, August 1990.

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Issued by Clifden Glen Management (2005) Plc.,
Market House, Churchtown, Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland