Capel Island and Knockadoon Head Nature Reserve
Longitude: -7.861
These reserves comprise all of Capel Island off the south coast near Youghal, Co. Cork, part of Knockadoon headland opposite the island and the intervening sea area. The reserve comprises 143.0 hectares, of which 126.9 are State-owned and 16.1 are privately owned.
Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve
Longitude: -9.575
Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve covers some 300ha, with the dominant habitats being old oak woodland and young woodland which is regenerating in areas which have been cleared of non-native conifers over the last few years. The woods form one of the best examples of oceanic sessile oak woodland in Ireland, being rated at least as important as the Killarney oakwoods. The Nature Reserve is part of the much larger Glengarriff Harbour & Woodlands Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
For more information please see the Glengarriff Nature Reserve website.
Kilcolman Bog Nature Reserve
Longitude: -8.613
The fen is located in a glacially eroded limestone hollow, south of the Ballyhoura Mountains in north Cork. It has been a traditional wintering ground for Greenland white fronted geese and thousands of duck and is also of great botanical importance, harbouring a number of plant species absent or extremely rare elsewhere in Co. Cork. The reserve is comprised of 30 hectares, or which 9 are State-owned and 21 are privately owned.
Knockomagh Wood Nature Reserve
Longitude: -9.31
It consists of a small area of sessile oak and mixed broadleaf woodland.
Lough Hyne Nature Reserve
Longitude: -9.299
This is a sea lough with a very wide range of important habitats within the lough and its seaward approaches, a range seldom found in more extensive areas elsewhere. These varied habitats support an exceptionally wide range of animal and plant species.
The Gearagh Nature Reserve
Longitude: -8.999
This is the largest area of alluvial woodland in Ireland. It consists of a network of narrow channels separating small islands which are covered in oak, ash, hazel and hawthorn. Wild garlic is abundant in the spring. The area is subject to frequent flooding and dangerous and difficult to access.