Laois Habitats Survey 2008 - Laois County Council

Betsy Hickey and Mary Tubridy 

Laois Habitats Survey 2008 

Wet grassland with conifer plantation in the background in Gortahile 

Report prepared for Laois Heritage Forum: 

PART 2: Appendices 

An Action of the Laois Heritage Plan 2007 - 2011 

Mary Tubridy and Associates October 2008 

Dublin 01-8333195

Laois Habitat Survey 2008: Part 2 Appendices Laois County Council | Mary Tubridy & Associates 

CONTENTS 

Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 

Appendix 1. Information leaflet........................................................................................................................................................ 5 

Appendix 2. List of Landowners ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 

Appendix 3. Layout used in field survey (photographs & maps) .................................................................................... 8 

Appendix 4. Checklist of all species ................................................................................................................................................ 9 

Appendix 5. Rare or occasional plant species ........................................................................................................................ 23 

Appendix 6. Additional species recorded in study area by BSBI ................................................................................. 25 

Appendix 7. Additional species recorded by Dublin Naturalist’s Field Club on Hewson Hill, 

Coolnacarrick, Co. Laois ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27 

Appendix 8. Species recorded in each habitat ....................................................................................................................... 28 

Appendix 9. Target notes .................................................................................................................................................................. 59 

Appendix 10. Biogeodiversity of the Castlecomer Plateau in southeast Co. Laois ............................................. 74 

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 74 

General topography of the Castlecomer Plateau ............................................................................................................. 74 

Geodiversity of the Bedrock Geology .................................................................................................................................... 76 

Box 1: The coal seams .............................................................................................................................................................. 78 

Box 2: Bells Heap ........................................................................................................................................................................ 81 

Geodiversity of the Subsoil (Quaternary, or Ice Age) Geology ................................................................................. 82 

Geodiversity of the soil ................................................................................................................................................................. 83 

Hydrogeological Geodiversity - Aquifer Classification ................................................................................................. 84 

References: .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 87 

Appendix 11. History of Mining on the Plateau .................................................................................................................... 89 

2


SUMMARY 

This report contains the Appendices to accompany Part 1 of the Laois Habitats Survey 2008 Report. 

Part 1 presents results of habitat mapping carried out in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 in County Laois. Parts 

of the north east, south west and south east of the county were mapped. The land surveyed in 2005, 2006 

and 2007 was fairly typical of lowland Laois and included the town of Portarlington. In 2008 the survey 

focussed on the the south east of the county which included the upland region of the Castlecomer Plateau 

and the River Barrow adjacent to and south of Carlow town. 

Information for the map was gathered through fieldwork assisted by colour aerial photographs (2000 and 

2005). Habitats were mapped principally through fieldwork. In the summers of 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 

ecologists examined habitats field by field within the survey area. A total of 211 townlands were surveyed 

over four years in an area covering 351.93 sq km. Permission was always sought before survey work took 

place and a series of discussions took place with the IFA in 2005 to assist in informing landowners about the 

purpose of the survey. 

Habitats were examined and mapped using methodologies promoted by the Heritage Council in ‘A Guide to 

Habitats of Ireland’ (Fossitt 2000) and Draft Habitat Survey Guidelines: A standard methodology for habitat 

survey and mapping in Ireland (The Heritage Council 2002). Each field or habitat was given a code on a field 

map. Lists were compiled of flowering plants associated with habitats and notes were compiled of 

noteworthy features. 

Results from the marked up maps were digitised to produce computerised versions of the final maps. To 

date digitising has been carried out on all the land surveyed. Target notes (made in 2006, 2007 and 2008) 

have been linked to the digital data base. 

Principal findings are: 

A total of 60 habitats are present in the area of Laois surveyed. Forty seven habitats were found in 2005, in 

2006 an additional eight habitats were recorded with an additional two in 2007. In 2008 three new habitats 

were documented. They include four new types to describe either different types of garden habitats and 

land under development which are not contained in the original classification (Fossitt 2000). 

Most of the land is covered in two habitats; improved grassland and arable land which are typical of 

intensive farming systems and which are of relatively low biodiversity value. Within such intensively farmed 

areas, habitats of greater biodiversity interest are found, such as hedgerows and drainage ditches. Field 

mapping confirmed the presence of 6.56 km of hedgerow per square kilometre. 

3


Semi-natural habitats, some of which are of high biodiversity value, account for just over 5% the total area 

surveyed. These include limestone/ marl lakes, scrub, old grasslands, woodland, wetlands, bogs and fen and 

flush. Some habitats are only found at one or two sites. The hums (upstanding outcrops of limestone which 

resemble small steep hills) north of Stradbally are particularly associated with oak-ash-hazel woodland. 

The 60 habitats which have been identified support 464 plant species. In the first year (2005), 349 species 

were found with a further 38 species being added in 2006, 57 more species were recorded in 2007, while in 

2008 a further 20 species were added to the total. Species diversity varies greatly between habitats. The 

most valuable habitats for plants are wet grassland (>175 species) dry calcareous and neutral grassland 

(>154) and scrub with >153 species. Those with the lowest number of native species include amenity 

grassland, set aside land, spoil and bare ground, garden shrubberies and some types of woodland. A bee 

orchid found in a derelict quarry is a protected species under the Wildlife Act. Several other plants found 

are rare in the region and in Laois. 

The habitat survey provides an essential report on biodiversity for parts of Laois. The map and associated 

statistics provide a baseline against which change can be benchmarked. Its contents can be used to inform 

the public about their local biodiversity and guide decisions on land use options and strategic planning. The 

Laois Biodiversity Action Plan requires to be informed by this survey. The vast majority of habitats in the 

countryside have developed as a result of some form of local development. In future local development will 

be required to take greater regard for biodiversity. The survey should be expanded to all parts of the 

county. This would increase the value of the information which has been gathered and enable informed 

decision making on biodiversity on a county wide basis. 

The report concludes with a number of suggestions on how the results of the mapping exercise can be used 

to generate greater awareness of habitats and their management needs. 

4


APPENDIX 1. INFORMATION LEAFLET 

5


APPENDIX 2. LIST OF LANDOWNERS 

Many thanks to the landowners listed below and sincere apologies and thanks to those we 

unwittingly omitted, all of who gave freely of their time and knowledge while the survey was being 

carried out. 

Names of landowners 

B. Cushen Bridie Scully Brigit Cushen Thomas Nerney 

Carter Family Crowley Family Dan Scully Eddie Mulhall 

Eddie Fitzgerald Ellen Conroy Frank Maloney Ger Baldwin 

Gerry Byrne Hugh Ryan Isaac and Robert 

Dobson 

6 

Jackie Hyland 

James Gleeson James Murphy Jim Brennan John Delaney 

John Dunne John Lacy John Nurney Lewis Family 

Margaret Cushen Michael and Sheila 

Cushen 

Mrs. Browne Robert and Chris Miller 

Paddy Doherty Paddy Lawlor Pat and Peggy Drennan Johnny Kane 

Peter Ging Séan Conroy Séan Scully Thomas Conroy 

Tom Bond Tom Cushen Tom Fingleton Terry O' Connell 

Tom Mulhall Whelan Family John Fletcher Joe Kane 

Winnie Champ Lily Champ Mary Dunne Colette Manley 

Brian Walsh Mrs. Fitzpatrick Geraldine O' Reilly Pat Hyland 

Molly and Liam 

Kavanagh 

Michael Milner Liam Bennet Ray Cobb 

Irwin Cobb Martin Whelan Mrs. Cobb Peter Lutral 

Paddy Behan Julie Murray Maureen Nerney Paddy Sheridan 

Frank Nerney Michael Whelehan John Kenny Cathy and Pat Nolan


Names of landowners 

Robin and Ann Talbot Tom Donoher Tony Connell Mrs Boland 

Jim Scully Joe Brophy Alice McCormack Anthony Bennet 

Tony Miller Dan Miller Ann and Robin Talbot Moyne estate 

Martin Stapleton Helen Shortall Martin Pillin Slevin Family 

Brian Nolan Helen Shortall Ann and Frank Handy Paddy Moore 

Liam McNamara Jim Moloney Eddie Fitzpatrick Dooley Family 

John Donoher Chris and Owen Mullans David Lawlor Pat Proctor 

John Brennan Cecil Byrne Mairead Kinsella Edward Hughes 

Michael Dowling Keith Fennell John Scully Paul Dowling 

Eamon Ryan James Lawlor Tom Quinn Finbar Fitzgerald 

Eamon Quinn Brendan Sealey Mathew Bolton Annie Connolly 

Tom Malone Brian and John O’Sullivan 

7 

Michael and Liam 

Moran 

Honor and Seán 

Kennedy 

Bridie Hennessey Raymond Dunne Broderick Family Mikey Price 

Earls Tom kelly James Lawlor Mary Eyre 

Liam Brennan Caroline Nolan Bradley


APPENDIX 3. LAYOUT USED IN FIELD SURVEY (PHOTOGRAPHS & MAPS) 

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APPENDIX 4. CHECKLIST OF ALL SPECIES 

Checklist of all species recorded during 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. 

Species are listed alphabetically by Latin name, species followed by an asterisk are additional species 

recorded in 2006, those followed by a double asterisk are additional species recorded in 2007 and those 

followed by hash are additional species recorded in 2008. 

Scientific name English name 

Abies sp. Fir 

Acer campestre** Field maple 

Acer platanoides Crimson King** Norway maple 

Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 

Achillea millefolium Yarrow 

Aesculus hippocastanum Velvet bent grass 

Agrostis canina Common bent 

Agrostis capillaris Common bent grass 

Agrostis stolonifera Creeping bent grass 

Ajuga reptans Bugle 

Alisma plantago-aquatica** Common water-plantain 

Alliaria petiolata Garlic mustard 

Allium ampiloprasum* Leeks 

Allium cepa Onions 

Allium ursinum* Ramsons 

Alnus glutinosa Alder 

Alopecurus geniculatus Marsh foxtail 

Alopecurus pratensis Meadow foxtail 

Anagallis arvensis Scarlet pimpernel 

Andromeda polifolia Bog rosemary 

Anemone nemorosa* Wood anemone 

Angelica sylvestris Wild angelica 

Antennaria dioica Mountain everlasting 

Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet vernal grass 

Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley 

Anthyllis vulgaris* Kidney vetch 

Antirrhinum majus** Snapdragon 

Aquilega vulgaris* Columbine 

9



Arabis hirsuta** Hairy rock-cress 

Arctium minor Lesser burdock 

Arrhenatherum elatius False oat grass 

Arum maculatum Arum lily 

Asplenium adiantum nigrum Black spleenwort 

Asplenium ruta-muraria* Wall-rue 

Asplenium trichomanes* Maidenhair spleenwort 

Athyrium filix-femina Lady fern 

Aucuba japonica** Japanese laurel 

Avena fatua** Oat 

Baldellia ranunculoides Lesser water plantain 

Bellis perennis Daisy 

Beta vulgaris Sugar beet 

Betula pendula* Weeping birch 

Betula pubescens Downy birch 

Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-wort 

Blechnum spicant Hard fern*** 

Brachypodium sylvaticum False brome 

Brassica oleracea var. capitata* Cabbage 

Briza media Quaking grass 

Bromus sp.** Brome 

Buddleja davidii** Butterfly bush 

Buxus sempervirens** Box 

Callitriche stagnalis Common water starwort 

Calluna vulgaris Ling heather 

Caltha palustris Marsh marigold 

Calystegia sepium Hedge bindweed 

Capsella bursa-pastoris** Shepherd’s-purse 

Cardamine flexuosa Wavy bittercress 

Cardamine hirsuta** Hairy bitter-cress 

Cardamine pratensis Lady’s smock 

Carex acutiformis Lesser pond sedge 

Carex binervis*** Green-ribbed sedge 

Carex distichia** Brown sedge 

Carex divulsa Grey sedge 

Carex echinata Star sedge 

10



Carex flacca Glaucous sedge 

Carex hirta Hairy sedge 

Carex hostiana Tawny sedge 

Carex nigra Common sedge 

Carex otrubae** False fox sedge 

Carex ovalis Oval sedge 

Carex panicea Carnation sedge 

Carex paniculata** Greater tussock sedge 

Carex pendula** Pendulous sedge 

Carex pulicaris Flea sedge 

Carex remota Remote sedge 

Carex rostrata Bottle sedge 

Carex sylvatica Wood sedge 

Carex vesicaria Bladder sedge 

Carex viridula Yellow sedge 

Carex viridula ssp. demissa Common yellow sedge 

Carlina vulgaris* Carline thistle 

Castanea sativa Spanish chestnut 

Ceanothus sp.** Californian lilac 

Centaurea nigra Black knapweed 

Centaurium erythraea Common centaury 

Centranthus ruber** Red valerian 

Cerastium fontanum Mouse ear chickweed 

Chamaecyparis sp. Lawson cypress 

Chenopodium album Fat hen 

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage 

Cicerbita macrophylla*** Blue sow-thistle 

Circaea lutetiana Enchanter’s nightshade 

Cirsium arvense Creeping thistle 

Cirsium dissectum Meadow thistle 

Cirsium palustre Marsh thistle 

Cirsium sp. Thistle 

Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle 

Cladium mariscus* Great fen sedge 

Cladonia foerkiana** Match stick lichen 

Cladonia portentosa* Lichen 

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Cladophera sp. Green algae 

Clematis vitalba* Traveller’s joy 

Conopodium majus Pignut 

Cornus sp.** Dogwood 

Corylus avellana Hazel 

Cotoneaster horizontalis** Horizontal rockspray 

Cotoneaster sp. Cotoneaster 

Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn 

Crepis capillaris Smooth hawk’s-beard 

Crocosmia x crocosmiflora Montbretia 

Cymbalaria muralis** Ivy-leaved toadflax 

Cynosurus cristatus Crested dog’s-tail 

Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot 

Dactylorhiza incarnata Early marsh orchid 

Dactylorhiza maculata Heath spotted orchid 

Dactylorhiza maculata fuchsii Common spotted orchid 

Dactylorhiza majalis Southern marsh orchid 

Daucus carota Wild carrot 

Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted hair-grass 

Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy hair grass 

Dianthus sp. Carnation 

Digitalis purpurea Foxglove 

Dipsacus fullonum** Teasel 

Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved sundew 

Dryopteris affinis Scaly male fern 

Dryopteris dilatata Broad buckler fern 

Dryopteris filix-mas Male fern 

Eleocharis sp. Spike-rush 

Elocharis palustris Common spike-rush 

Elodea canadensis** Canadian pond weed 

Elymus repens Couch grass 

Epilobium angustifolium Rosebay willow herb 

Epilobium hirsutum Great willowherb 

Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved willowherb 

Epilobium obscurum* Short-fruited willowherb 

Epilobium palustre Marsh willowherb 

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Epilobium parviflorum Hoary willowherb 

Epilobium sp. Willowherb 

Epipactis helleborine*** Broad-leaved helleborine 

Epipactis palustris Marsh helleborine 

Equisetum arvense Field horsetail 

Equisetum fluviatile Water horsetail 

Equisetum palustre* Marsh horsetail 

Equisetum sp. Horsetail 

Equisetum sylvaticum Wood horsetail 

Equisetum x littoral** Horsetail 

Erica cinerea** Bell heather 

Erica tetralix Cross-leaved heath 

Eriophorum angustifolium Common cotton-sedge 

Eriophorum vaginatum Hare’s-tail cotton-sedge 

Euonymus europaeus Spindle 

Euonymus fortunei Emerald and Gold** Wintercreeper 

Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp agrimony 

Euphorbia helioscopia** Sun spurge 

Euphorbia peplus** Petty spurge 

Euphrasia rostkoviana Eyebright 

Euphrasia sp. Eyebright 

Fagus sylvatica Beech 

Fagus sylvatica Purpurea** Weeping copper beech 

Festuca arundinacea Tall fescue 

Festuca gigantea Giant fescue 

Festuca ovina Sheep’s fescue 

Festuca pratensis* Meadow fescue 

Festuca rubra Red fescue 

Festuca sp. Fescue 

Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet 

Fontinalis sp.* Moss 

Fragaria vesca Wild strawberry 

Fraxinus excelsior Ash 

Fraxinus excelsior pendula Weeping ash 

Fumaria officinale** Fumitory 

Fuchsia magellanica*** Fuchsia 

13



Galium aparine Cleavers 

Galium odoratum Woodruff 

Galium palustre Marsh bedstraw 

Galium saxatile** Heath bedstraw 

Galium verum Lady’s bedstraw 

Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved crane’s-bill 

Geranium molle Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill 

Geranium robertianum Herb robert 

Geranium sp. Cranesbill 

Geum rivale** Water avens 

Geum urbanum Herb bennet 

Glechoma hederacea Ground ivy 

Glyceria fluitans Floating sweet-grass 

Glyceria maxima Reed sweet-grass 

Glyceria notata Plicate sweet-grass 

Glyceria sp. Sweet-grass 

Grisilina littoralis Grisilina 

Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant orchid 

Hebe sp.** Veronica 

Hedera helix Ivy 

Helictotrichon pubescens Downy oat-grass 

Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed 

Hieracium sp. Hawkweed 

Hippuris vulgaris* Marestail 

Holcus lanatus Yorkshire fog 

Hordeum vulgare Barley 

Hyacinthoides non-scriptus Bluebell 

Hydrocotyle vulgaris Navelwort 

Hypericum androsaemum Tutsan 

Hypericum humifusum Trailing St. John’s-wort 

Hypericum maculatum Imperforate St. John’s-wort 

Hypericum perforatum Perforate St. John’s-wort 

Hypericum pulchrum Slender St. John’s-wort 

Hypericum sp. St. John’s-wort 

Hypericum tetrapterum Square-stalked St. John’s-wort 

Hypochoeris radicata Car’s-ear 

14



Ilex aquifolium Holly 

Impatiens glandulifera*** Indian balsam 

Iris foetidissima** Stinking iris 

Iris pseudacorus Flag iris 

Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered rush 

Juncus articulatus Jointed rush 

Juncus bufonius Toad rush 

Juncus conglomeratus Compact rush 

Juncus effusus Soft rush 

Juncus inflexus Hard rush 

Juncus sp. Rush 

Juncos squarrosus*** Heath rush 

Juniperus squamata sp. Flaky juniper 

Knautia arvensis Field scabious 

Kniphofia sp. Red hot poker 

Lamium purpureum** Red dead-nettle 

Lapsana communis Nipplewort 

Larix decidua European larch 

Lathyrus montanus Bitter-vetch 

Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling 

Latuca sativa* Lettuce 

Lemma minor Common duckweed 

Leontodon autumnalis Autumn hawkbit 

Leontodon hispidus* Rough hawkbit 

Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye daisy 

Ligustrum ovalifolium Privet 

Ligustrum vulgare Common privet 

Linum bienne Pale flax 

Linum catharticum Fairy flax 

Listeria ovata Common twayblade 

Littorella uniflora* Shore-weed 

Lolium perenne Perennial ryegrass 

Lonicera nitida Wilson’s honeysuckle 

Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle 

Lotus corniculatus Bird’s-foot-trefoil 

Lotus uliginosus Greater bird’s-foot trefoil 

15



Lupinus sp. Lupin 

Luzula campestris Field woodrush 

Luzula multiflora Heath woodrush 

Luzula sylvatica Wood rush 

Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged robin 

Lycopus europaeus*** Gipsywort 

Lysimachia nemorum Yellow pimpernel 

Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife 

Malus domestica var. Apple trees 

Malus sp. Crab 

Malva sylvestris** Common mallow 

Matricaria discoidea Pineapple weed 

Medicago lupulina Black medick 

Melampyrum pratense*** Common cow wheat 

Melica uniflora Wood melick 

Mentha aquatica Water mint 

Mentha sp. Mint 

Mentha spicata Spear mint 

Menyanthes trifoliata Bogbean 

Molinia caerulea* Purple moor-grass 

Myosotis arvensis** Field for-get-me-not 

Myosotis discolor Changing forget-me-not 

Myosotis laxa*** Tufted forget-me-not 

Myosotis scorpiodes Water forget-me-not 

Myosotis secunda*** Creeping forget-me-not 

Narthecium ossifragum Bog asphodel 

Nasturtium officinale Water-cress 

Nasturtium sp. Water-cress 

Nuphar lutea** Yellow water lily 

Odondites verna Red bartsia 

Ophioglossum vulgatum Adder’s tongue 

Ophrys apifera* Bee orchid 

Origanum vulgare* Marjoram 

Osmunda regalis Royal fern 

Oxalis acetosella Wood sorrel 

Paeonia sp. Peony rose 

16



Papaver orientalis Oriental poppy 

Papaver rhoeas** Common poppy 

Parentucellia viscosa** Yellow bartsia 

Parietaria diffusa* Pellitory of the wall 

Pedicularis sp. Lousewort 

Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort 

Petasites hybridus*** Butterbur 

Phalaris arundinacea Reed canary-grass 

Phallus impudicus*** Stinkhorn mushroom 

Phleum bertolini** Small cat’s-tail 

Phleum pratensis Timothy 

Phragmites australis Common reed 

Phyllitis scolopendrium Hart’s-tongue fern 

Picea abies Norway spruce 

Picea sitchensis Sitka spruce 

Pinguicula vulgaris* Common butterwort 

Pinus contorta Lodgepole pine 

Pinus sylvestris Scot’s pine 

Plantago lanceolata Narrow leaved plantain 

Plantago major Broad leaved plantain 

Platanthera bifolia Lesser butterfly orchid 

Platanthera clorantha Greater butterfly orchid 

Poa annua Annual meadow-grass 

Poa pratensis* Smooth meadow-grass 

Poa sp. Meadow-grass 

Poa trivialis Rough meadow-grass 

Polygala vulgaris Common milkwort 

Polygonum amphibium Amphibious bistwort 

Polygonum aviculare** Common knotgrass 

Polygonum persicaria Redshank 

Polypodium vulgare Common polypody fern 

Polystichum aculeatum Hard shield fern 

Polystichum setiferum Soft shield fern 

Polytrichum commune* Moss 

Populus sp. Poplar 

Populus x canescens*** Grey poplar 

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Populus tremula Aspen 

Potamogeton sp. Pondweed 

Potentilla anserina Silverweed 

Potentilla erecta Tormentil 

Potentilla palustre Marsh cinquefoil 

Potentilla reptans Creeping cinquefoil 

Potentilla sterilis Barren strawberry 

Primula veris Cowslip 

Primula vulgaris Primrose 

Prunus avium Wild cherry 

Prunus domestica Wild plum 

Prunus kanzan Flowering cherry 

Prunus laurocerasus Otto Luyken** English laurel 

Prunus laurocerasus* English laurel 

Prunus sp. Cherry 

Prunus spinosa Blackthorn 

Pseudosuga menzeii Douglas fir 

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken 

Pulicaria dysenterica Common fleabane 

Pyrus pyraster Pear 

Quercus robur Pedunculate oak 

Ranunculus acris Meadow buttercup 

Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks buttercup 

Ranunculus bulbosus* Bulbous buttercup 

Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine 

Ranunculus flammula Lesser spearwort 

Ranunculus lingua Greater spearwort 

Ranunculus peltatus Pond water-crowfoot 

Ranunculus repens Creeping buttercup 

Reseda luteola** Wild mignonette 

Reynoutria japonica Japanese knotweed 

Rheum rhabarbarum Rhubarb 

Rhinanthus minor Yellow rattle 

Rhododendron ponticum Rhodendron 

Rhus typhina** Stag’s-horn sumach 

Rhynchospora alba White-beaked sedge 

18



Ribes rubrum White or red currant 

Ribes sp. Currant 

Ribes uva-crispa** Gooseberry 

Rosa arvense Field rose 

Rosa canina Dog rose 

Rosa sp. Wild rose 

Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary 

Rubus caesius Dewberry 

Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble 

Rubus idaeus** Raspberry 

Rumex acetosa* Common sorrel 

Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel 

Rumex conglomeratus Clustered dock 

Rumex crispus Curled dock 

Rumex obtusifolius Broad leaved dock 

Rumex sanguineus Wood dock 

Rumex sp. Dock 

Sagina procumbens Procumbent pearlwort 

Salix alba White willow 

Salix aurita Eared willow 

Salix caprea Goat willow 

Salix cinerea Grey willow 

Salix fragilis Crack willow 

Salix sp. Willow 

Salix viminalis Osier 

Salix x multinervis Willow hybrid 

Sambucus nigra Elder 

Sanguisorba minor Salad burnet 

Sanicula europaea Wood sanicle 

Saponaria officinalis Soapwort 

Schoenplectus lacustris Club-rush 

Schoenus nigricans Black bog-rush 

Scrophularia nodosa Common figwort 

Sedum acre Biting stonecrop 

Sedum album** White stonecrop 

Senecio aquaticus Marsh ragwort 

19



Senecio erucifolius*** Hoary ragwort 

Senecio jacobaea Common ragwort 

Senecio vulgaris Groundsel 

Sherardia arvensis** Field madder 

Silene alba** White campion 

Silene dioica Red campion 

Silene latifolia White campion 

Sisymbrium officinale Hedge mustard 

Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet 

Solanum tuberosum* Potato 

Solidago virgaurea** Goldenrod 

Sonchus arvensis Perennial sow-thistle 

Sonchus asper Prickly sow-thistle 

Sonchus oleraceus Smooth sow-thistle 

Sorbaria sp.** False spiraea 

Sorbus aria Whitebeam 

Sorbus aucuparia Mountain ash 

Sparganium erectum Branched bur-reed 

Sphagnum capillifolium Sphagnum moss 

Sphagnum cuspidatum Sphagnum moss 

Sphagnum imbricatum Sphagnum moss 

Sphagnum papillosum Sphagnum moss 

Stachys byzantina Lamb’s ears 

Stachys palustris Marsh woundwort 

Stachys sylvatica Hedge woundwort 

Stellaria graminea Lesser stitchwort 

Stellaria holostea Greater stitchwort 

Stellaria media Common chickweed 

Stellaria uliginosa Bog stitchwort 

Succisa pratensis Devil’s-bit scabious 

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus* Snowberry 

Symphytum sp. Comfrey 

Taraxacum officinale Dandelion 

Taxus baccata* Yew 

Teucrium scorodonia Woodsage 

Thymus praecox** Wild thyme 

20



Tilia cordata Small leaved lime 

Tilia x europaea* Common lime 

Torilis japonica Upright hedge parsley 

Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard 

Trichophorum caespitosum Deer-sedge 

Trifolium campestre Hop trefoil 

Trifolium dubium Lesser trefoil 

Trifolium pratense Red clover 

Trifolium repens White clover 

Triglochin palustris Marsh arrowgrass 

Trisetum flavescens* Yellow oat-grass 

Triticum aestivum Wheat 

Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot 

Typha latifolia Common reedmace 

Ulex europaeus Gorse 

Ulmus glabra Wych elm 

Ulmus procera English elm 

Urtica dioica Stinging nettle 

Vaccinium myrtillus*** Bilberry 

Vaccinium oxycoccos*** Cranberry 

Valeriana officinalis Common valerian 

Veronica agrestis Green field speedwell 

Veronica beccabunga Brooklime 

Veronica chamaedrys Germander speedwell 

Veronica montana Wood speedwell 

Veronica officinalis Heath speedwell 

Veronica sp. Speedwell 

Viburnum opulus Guelder rose 

Vicia cracca Tufted vetch 

Vicia hirsuta** Hairy tare 

Vicia sativa Common vetch 

Vicia sepium Bush vetch 

Vicia sp. Vetch 

Viola arvensis** Field pansy 

Viola reichenbackiana* Wood dog violet 

Viola riviniana Common dog violet 

21



Viola sp. Violet 

Vulpia bromoides*** Squirrel-tail fescue 

x Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland cypress 

x Cupressus macrocarpa* Macrocarpa 

22


APPENDIX 5. RARE OR OCCASIONAL PLANT SPECIES 

Species followed by an asterisk were identified in 2006, those followed by two asterisks were identified in 

2007 and those followed by three asterisks were identified in 2008. 

Scientific name Common name 

Andromeda polifolia Bog rosemary 

Antennaria dioica Mountain everlasting 

Anthyllis vulneraria* Kidney vetch 

Aquilega vulgaris* Columbine 

Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort 

Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-wort 

Bromus racemosus Smooth brome 

Centaurium erythraea Common centaury 

Clinopodium vulgare Wild basil 

Epipactis helleborine*** Broad-leaved helleborine 

Epipactis palustris Marsh helleborine 

Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant orchid 

Helictotrichon pubescens Downy oat-grass 

Lathyrus montanus Bitter vetch 

Linum bienne Pale flax 

Littorella uniflora* Shore weed 

Ophioglossum vulgatum Adder's tongue 

Ophrys apifera* Bee orchid 

Origanum vulgare Marjoram 

Parentucellia viscosa** Yellow Bartsia 

Platanthera bifolia Lesser butterfly-orchid 

Platanthera clorantha Greater butterfly-orchid 

Polystichum aculeatum Hard shield fern 

Prunus padus*** Bird cherry 

Pulicaria dysenterica Fleabane 

Pyrus pyraster* Pear 

Rhynchospora alba White beaked sedge 

Ribes uva-crispa** Gooseberry 

Rubus caesius Dewberry 

Sanguisorba minor Salad burnet 

23



Sherardia arvensis** Field madder 

Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders 

Taxus baccata* Yew 

Tragopogon pratensis Goatsbeard 

Trisetum flavescens Yellow oat grass 

Vaccinium oxycoccos Cranberry 

24


APPENDIX 6. ADDITIONAL SPECIES RECORDED IN STUDY AREA BY BSBI 


= M. x rotundifolia False apple-mint 

Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort 

Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder 

Aethusa cynapium Fool’s parsley 

Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony 

Agrimonia procera Fragrant Agrimony 

Anisantha sterilis Barren brome 

Aphanes arvensis Parsley-piert 

Apium nodiflorum Fool’s water-cress 

Arenaria serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved sandwort 

Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort 

Atriplex laciniata Frosted orache 

Atriplex patua Common orache 

Barbarea vulgaris Winter cress 

Bromopsis ramosa Hairy-brome 

Calystegia sylvatica Large bindweed 

Carex demissa Common yellow sedge 

Carex pseudocyperus Cyperus Sedge 

Catapodium rigidum Fern grass 

Ceterach officinarum Rusty-back 

Chaenorhinum minus Small toadflax 

Clinopodium vulgare Wild Basil 

Conium maculatum Hemlock 

Epilobium ciliatum American willowherb 

Euphrasia officinalis agg. Eyebright 

Fallopia convolvulus Black-bindweed 

Fumaria muralis Common Ramping-fumitory 

Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory 

Galeopsis bifida Bifid hemp nettle 

Geranium lucidum Shining cranesbill 

Hieracium murorum agg. Hawkweed 

Juncus bulbosus Bulbous Rush 

Lamium album White-dead-nettle 

25



Lamium hybridum Cut-leaved dead-nettle 

Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle 

Lathyrus montanus Bitter-vetch 

Leontodon saxatilis Lesser Hawkbit 

Mentha arvensis Corn Mint 

Mentha suaveolens x longifolia 

Nymphaea alba White Water-lily 

Papaver dubium ssp. dubium Long-headed Poppy 

Persicaria amphibium Amphibious bistort 

Persicaria hydropiper Water-pepper 

Persicaria lapathifolia Pale Persicaria 

Persicaria maculosa Redshank 

Petasites fragrans Winter Heliotrope 

Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage 

Polygonum cognatum Indian Knotgrass 

Potamogeton natans Broad-leaved Pondweed 

Potentilla anglica Trailing tormentil 

Quercus petraea Sessile Oak 

Ranunculus trichophyllus Thread-leaved Water-crowfoot 

Reseda luteola Weld 

Rosa agrestis Small-leaved sweetbriar 

Rosa canina x R. caesia 

Rosa mollis Northern downy rose 

Rosa sherardii Sherard's Downy-rose 

Rubus ulmifolius Elm-leaf blackberry 

Salix purpurea Purple osier 

Salix repens Creeping Willow 

Silene vulgaris ssp. Vulgaris Bladder campion 

Sinapis arvensis Charlock 

Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders 

Spergula arvensis Corn Spurrey 

Tanacetum parthenium Feverfew 

Thymus vulgaris Garden Thyme 

Trisetum flavescens Yellow Oat-grass 

Veronica anagallis-aquatica Blue Water-Speedwell 

Veronica arvensis Wall speedwell 

26



Veronica hederifoila ssp. Hederifolia Ivy-leaved speedwell 

Veronica persica Common field speedwell 

Veronica scutellata Marsh speedwell 

Vinca major Greater Periwinkle 

Viola odorata Sweet Violet 

APPENDIX 7. ADDITIONAL SPECIES RECORDED BY DUBLIN 

NATURALIST’S FIELD CLUB ON HEWSON HILL, COOLNACARRICK, CO. 

LAOIS 


Aira praecox Early hair-grass 

Cotoneaster microphyllus auct. Cotoneaster 

Polypodium cambricum Southern polypody 

27

APPENDIX 8. SPECIES RECORDED IN EACH HABITAT 

Additional species recorded in each habitat 2006 are indicated by 1 asterisk, those in 2007 by 2 asterisks 

and those in 2008 by 3 asterisks. 

FL3 Limestone/marl lakes 

Epilobium palustre 

Equisetum fluviatile* 

Eupatorium cannabinum 

Galium palustris 

Glyceria sp. 

Hippuris vulgaris* 

Hydrocotyle vulgaris 

Iris pseudacorus 

Juncus acutiflorus 

Juncus effusus 

Juncus inflexus* 

Littorella uniflora* 

Mentha aquatica 

Potentilla anserina 

FL4 Mesotrophic lakes 

Agrostis stolonifera** 

Anagallis tenella* 

Calystegia sepium** 

Carex flacca* 

Carex rostrata* 

Epilobium parviflorum** 

Filipendula ulmaria** 

Galium palustre** 

Glyceria fluitans** 

Iris pseudacorus** 

Juncus acutiflorus* 

Juncus effusus** 

Lolium perenne** 

Lythrum salicaria** 

Mentha aquatica* 

Phalaris arundinacea** 

Potamogeton sp.* 

Ranunculus sp. crowfoot** 

Sparganium emersum** 

FL5 Eutrophic lakes 

Acer pseudoplatanus 

Aesculus hippocastanum 

Betula pendula* 

Cardamine pratensis 

Cladophera algae 

Corylus avellana 

Crataegus monogyna 

Crocosmia x croscosmiflora 

Eleocharis sp. 

Equisetum fluviatile 

Equisetum sp. 

Fagus sylvatica 

Fraxinus excelsior 

Glyceria fluitans 



Juncus inflexus 

Juncus sp. 

Mentha sp.** 

Molinia caerulea 

Myosotis scorpiodes** 

Nasturtium sp. 


Populus tremula 

Prunus sp. 

Prunus spinosa 

Ranunculus repens** 

Ranunculus sp. crowfoot 

Rubus fruticosus agg. 

Rumex crispus** 

Salix caprea 

Salix cinerea 

Sambucus nigra 

Senecio aquaticus*** 

Sparganium erectum** 

Typha latifolia 

Urtica dioica 

Veronica beccabunga


FL8 Other artificial lakes and ponds 


Alnus glutinosa** 

Carex viridula** 

Cirsium arvense** 


Polygonum amphibium 

Potamogeton sp. 

Potentilla anserina** 

Salix cinerea** 

Sparganium erectum*** 

Urtica dioica** 

FW1 Eroding/upland rivers 

Fontinalis sp. 

FW2 Depositing/lowland rivers 

Alisma plantago-aquatica*** 

Callitriche sp. 

Callitriche stagnalis 

Caltha palustris** 

Calystegia sepium 

Cladophora sp. 

Epilobium hirsutum 

Epilobium palustre* 

Equisetum fluviatile** 


Fontinalis sp.* 


Glyceria maxima 

Glyceria notata 


Juncus inflexus** 

Lemma minor 

Lemna sp.** 



Mentha sp.** 

Myosotis scorpiodes 

Nasturtium officinale 

Nuphar lutea*** 

Oenanthe sp.** 

29 

FW2 Depositing/lowland rivers 

Phalaris arundinacea 

Phragmites australis 

Polygonum persicaria 



Prunella vulgaris 

Ranunculus peltatus 


Ranunculus sp.* 


Rumex obtusifolius** 

Salix alba 

Salix caprea 


Salix fragilis 

Schoenplectus lacustris 

Scrophularia nodosa 

Senecio aquaticus 

Stachys sylvatica** 

Typha latifolia*** 

Ulex europaeus 

Ulmus glabra 

Urtica dioica 

Valeriana officinalis** 

Vicia cracca** 

FW3 Canals 

Algae** 

Alisma plantago-aquatica** 

Angelica sylvestris* 

Arum maculatum* 

Caltha palustris* 

Carex vesicaria** 

Corylus avellana* 

Crataegus monogyna* 

Elodea canadensis** 


Filipendula ulmaria* 

Fraxinus excelsior* 

Galium aparine* 

Glyceria maxima* 

Hedera helix*


Heracleum sphondylium* 

Iris pseudacorus* 

Ligustrum vulgaris* 

Lonicera periclymenum* 

Nasturtium officinale* 

Nuphar lutea** 

Phalaris arundinacea* 

Poa sp.* 

Potamogeton sp.** 

Prunus domestica* 

Prunus spinosa* 

Rosa sp.* 

Rubus fruticosus agg.* 

Salix sp.* 

Schoenplectus lacustris** 

Typha latifolia* 

Urtica dioica* 


Veronica beccabunga* 

FW4 Drainage ditches 

Agrostis stolonifera 

Alisma plantago-aquatica** 

Angelica sylvestris 

Anthoxanthum odoratum 

Briza media 

Callitriche sp.** 

Caltha palustre 



Carex acutiformis 

Carex nigra 

Carex panicea 

Carex rostrata 

Carex sp. 

Cirsium arvensis** 

Cirsium palustre 


Cynosurus cristatus** 

Dactylorhiza maculata 

Dactylorhiza majalis 

Epilobium angustifolium** 


Epilobium obscurum* 

30 


Epilobium sp. 

Equisetum arvense 


Equisetum sp. 

Eriophorum angustifolium 


Festuca rubra 

Filipendula ulmaria 

Galium palustre 


Holcus lanatus 

Hydrocotyle vulgaris** 

Hypericum pulchrum 



Juncus articulatus 



Lolium perenne 

Lotus corniculatus 

Lythrum salicaria 


Mentha sp. 

Menyanthes trifoliata 

Myosotis scorpiodes** 




Platanthera bifolia 

Polygala vulgaris 

Potamogeton sp.** 


Potentilla erecta 

Potentilla palustre 

Ranunculus flammula 



Salix cinerea 


Sparganium sp.** 

Succisa pratensis 

Trifolium pratense 

Trifolium repens


Triglochin palustris 

Typha latifolia 

Urtica dioica 


Vicia cracca 

FP2 Non-calcareous springs 





Glyceria sp. 



Mentha sp. 



Plantago major 

Ranunculus acris 

Ranunculus repens 

Rumex obtusifolius 

Salix sp. 


Urtica dioica 

FS1 Reed and large sedge swamp 


Anthoxanthum odoratum** 

Arrhenatherum elatius** 


Carex hirta** 

Carex ovalis** 

Carex paniculata** 

Carex pendula** 

Carex vesicaria** 

Centaurea nigra** 

Corylus avellana** 

Crataegus monogyna** 

Dactylis glomerata** 

Elymus repens** 


Epilobium hirsutum** 

Equisetum x littoral** 

Eupatorium cannabinum** 

31 


Fraxinus excelsior** 


Galium verum** 

Holcus lanatus** 






Mentha sp. ** 

Molinia caerulea** 


Phleum pratense** 


Prunus spinosa** 

Pteridium aquilinum** 

Ranunculus flammula** 

Ranunculus repens**** 



Salix caprea** 



Typha latifolia** 


Valeriana officinale** 


Vicia sepium** 

FS2 Tall-herb swamp 

Alisma plantago-aquatica*** 

Epilobium sp.** 



Nuphar lutea*** 

Phalaris arundinacea*** 

Phragmites australis*** 

Salix alba*** 

Salix cinerea*** 

Schoenplectus lacustris*** 

Typha sp.*** 

Valeriana officinalis***


GA1 Improved agricultural grassland 

Agrostis canina 

Alopecurus geniculatus 

Alopecurus pratensis 


Arrhenatherum elatius 

Bellis perennis 

Carex sp. 

Centaurea nigra* 

Cerastium fontanum 

Cirsium arvense 

Cirsium vulgare* 

Cynosurus cristatus* 

Dactylis glomerata 

Elymus repens 

Festuca rubra* 

Galium odoratum 

Heracleum sphondylium 


Juncus effusus* 


Plantago lanceolata 


Poa annua 

Poa sp. 

Poa trivialis 




Rumex acetosa 

Rumex conglomeratus 


Rumex sp. * 

Salix sp. * 

Senecio jacobaea 

Stellaria graminea 

Taraxacum officinale 

Trifolium pratense* 

Trifolium repens 

Ulex europaeus* 

Urtica dioica 

GA2 Amenity grassland (improved) 


32 



Festuca rubra 



Poa annua 




Taraxacum officinalis 


Veronica chamaedrys 

GS1 Dry calcareous and neutral grassland 

Achillea millefolium 

Agrimonia eupatorium** 

Agrostis capillaris 


Alnus glutinosa* 

Alopecurus pratensis** 

Anagallis arvensis** 

Antennaria dioica 


Anthyllis vulgaris* 

Arabis hirsuta** 


Bellis perennis** 

Betula pubescens* 

Blackstonia perfoliata 

Brachypodium sylvaticum* 

Brassica sp. ** 

Briza media 

Calystegia sepium* 

Cardamine flexuosa** 

Carex flacca 

Carex hirta** 

Carex otrubae** 

Carex panicea 

Carex viridula 

Carlina vulgaris* 

Centaurea nigra 

Centaurium erythraea* 


Cirsium arvense



Cynosurus cristatus* 


Dactylorhiza fuchsii* 


Dactylorhiza majalis* 

Daucus carota 

Digitalis purpurea*** 

Dryopteris filix-mas** 

Elymus repens 


Epilobium ciliatum** 

Epilobium obscurum** 

Epipactis palustris** 

Epipactis sp. * 

Equisetum arvense* 


Euphorbia helioscopia** 

Euphrasia sp. 

Festuca rubra 



Galium aparine** 

Galium verum 

Geranium dissectum** 

Gymnadenia conopsea** 

Helictotrichon pubescens* 


Hieracium sp.*** 


Hypericum maculatum** 

Hypericum perforatum** 

Hypericum pulchrum* 

Hypericum sp. ** 

Hypericum tetrapterum** 

Hypochoeris radicata* 

Ilex aquifolium* 

Juncus effusus*** 


Knautia arvensis 

Lapsana communis*** 

Lathyrus pratensis 

Leontodon autumnalis 

Leucanthemum vulgare 

33 

Linum catharticum 

Listeria ovata 


Lonicera periclymenum*** 


Luzula campestris* 

Luzula multiflora** 


Malus domestica** 

Malva sylvestris** 

Matricaria discoidea** 

Medicago lupulina** 

Mentha sp. 


Myosotis sp. ** 


Odondites verna 

Ophioglossum vulgatum 

Ophrys apifera* 

Origanum vulgare* 

Orobanche sp. ** 

Papaver rhoeas** 

Phleum pratensis** 

Pillosella officinalis* 


Plantago major** 

Poa pratensis* 

Poa sp. 

Poa trivialis 


Polygonum aviculare*** 

Polygonum sp. ** 

Potentilla anserina* 


Potentilla reptans* 

Primula veris 



Pteridium aquilinum 

Quercus robur * 


Ranunculus bulbosus* 


Rhinanthus minor


Rosa canina* 

Rosa sp. ** 


Rumex crispus 


Rumex sp. ** 

Salix caprea 

Salix cinerea 

Sanguisorba minor** 

Scrophularia nodosa** 


Senecio vulgaris*** 

Silene alba** 

Sonchus oleraceus 


Stellaria holostea*** 

Stellaria uliginosa 

Succisa pratensis* 


Taraxacum sp.*** 

Torilis japonica* 

Trifolium dubium* 

Trifolium pratense* 


Trisetum flavescens* 


Ulmus glabra** 

Urtica dioica 

Valeriana officinale** 

Veronica chamaedrys* 

Veronica serpyllifolia** 

Vicia cracca 

Vicia hirsuta** 

Vicia sativa** 

Vicia sepium 

Vicia sp. 

GS2 Dry meadows and grassy verges 



Agrostis sp. 

Agrostis stolonifera* 

Alopecurus pratensis* 

Angelica sylvestris** 

34 


Anthriscus sylvestris 


Artemisia vulgaris*** 

Arum maculatum* 



Briza media 


Carex flacca 

Carex hirta* 

Carex panicea* 


Carex pendula 

Carex pulicaris* 




Cirsium dissectum* 

Cirsium palustre** 

Cirsium vulgare 



Crepis capillaris 

Cynosurus cristatus 


Dactylorhiza fuchsii* 

Dactylorhiza maculata** 

Daucus carota 

Deschampsia caespitosa* 

Elymus repens** 

Epilobium angustifolium* 




Equisetum sp.** 

Euonymus europaeus* 

Euphrasia rostkoviana 

Euphrasia sp. 

Festuca arundinacea** 

Festuca ovina 

Festuca pratensis* 

Festuca rubra 

Filipendula ulmaria*


Galium aparine 


Galium saxatile 

Galium verum 

Geranium molle 

Geranium robertianum 

Geum urbanum*** 

Helictotrichon pubescens 

Heracleum sphondylium*** 

Hieracium sp. 


Hyacinthoides-non-scriptus* 

Hypericum maculatum 

Hypericum pulchrum** 

Hypochoeris radicata** 

Ilex aquifolium * 

Impatiens glandulifera*** 


Juncus acutiflorus* 

Juncus conglomeratus* 

Juncus effusus* 


Juncus sp. * 

Knautia arvensis** 

Lapsana communis 



Leontodon hispidus* 





Luzula campestris 

Lysimachia vulgaris** 


Medicago lupulina 

Mentha sp. ** 

Odondites verna*** 

Origanum vulgare** 


Phleum pratense** 


Plantago major* 

Poa annua 

35 

Poa pratensis*** 

Polygala vulgare 

Polystichum setiferum** 



Potentilla sterilis 

Primula veris 


Prunus sp. 


Ranunculus acris* 


Rhinanthus minor 

Rosa arvensis** 

Rosa sp. 


Rumex acetosa 

Rumex crispus 

Rumex obtusifolius*** 

Salix alba** 

Salix cinerea 

Salix sp. * 

Scrophularia nodosa*** 


Silene latifolia 

Solanum dulcamara*** 

Sonchus oleraceus*** 

Stachys sylvatica*** 

Succisa pratensis* 


Trifolium campestris 

Trifolium dubium*** 




Urtica dioica 



Vicia cracca 

Vicia sepium 

Viola riviniana* 

GS3 Dry-humid acid grassland 

Achillea millefolium


Agrostis capillaris*** 


Alopecurus geniculatus*** 

Angelica sylvestris*** 


Bellis perennis*** 

Bryophytes 

Cardamine pratensis*** 

Carex sp.*** 


Cerastium fontanum*** 

Cirsium dissectum*** 

Cirsium sp. 

Cirsium vulgare*** 


Dactylorhiza maculata*** 


Deschampsia caespitose*** 

Deschampsia flexuosa*** 


Eriophorum angustifolium*** 



Galium verum 


Glyceria notata*** 


Hypochoeris radicata*** 

Juncus bufonius*** 



Lotus corniculatus*** 

Lotus uliginosa*** 

Luzula multiflora*** 


Myosotis discolor*** 

Orchid 

Pedicularis sylvatica*** 


Poa sp. 


Potentilla erecta*** 

Potentilla reptans 

Prunella vulgaris*** 

36 

Ranunculus acris*** 

Ranunculus flammula*** 



Rumex acetosa*** 

Rumex acetosella*** 


Rumex sp. 

Senecio jacobaea*** 

Sphagnum sp.*** 

Stellaria graminea*** 

Succisa pratensis*** 


Trifolium dubium*** 

Trifolium pratense*** 

Trifolium repens*** 

Ulex europaeus*** 

Vicia sepium 

Vulpia bromoides*** 

GS4 Wet grassland 

Achillea millefolium** 




Alopecurus geniculatus 


Anagallis tenella* 



Aquilega vulgaris* 



Betula pubescens** 


Briza media 

Calluna vulgaris 

Caltha palustris 


Calystegia sp. * 

Cardamine flexuosa*** 


Carex binervis*** 

Carex distichia**


Carex flacca 

Carex hirta 

Carex nigra 

Carex otrubae** 

Carex ovalis*** 

Carex panicea 


Carex pulicaris 

Carex rostrata 

Carex viridula 




Cirsium dissectum 







Dactylorhiza fuchsii 

Dactylorhiza incarnata 


Dactylorhiza majalis** 

Deschampsia caespitosa 

Deschampsia flexuosa 

Eleocharis palustris 

Elymus repens* 



Epilobium montanum* 

Epilobium parviflorum 

Epilobium sp. 



Equisetum palustre* 

Equisetum sp. 

Erica tetralix 

Eriophorum angustifolium* 

Eriophorum vaginatum 


Festuca arundinacea** 

Festuca gigantea 

Festuca ovina*** 

37 

Festuca pratensis** 

Festuca rubra 


Galium aparine* 

Galium palustre 

Galium saxatile** 

Galium verum* 

Geranium robertianum*** 

Geum rivale*** 


Glyceria maxima* 

Gymnadenia conopsea 

Helictotrichon pubescens* 

Heracleum sphondylium** 


Hydrolyte vulgaris 


Hypericum tetrapterum 

Hypochoeris radicata 



Juncus articulatus 

Juncus conglomeratus 



Juncus squarrosus*** 

Knautia arvensis** 

Lapsana communis** 



Leontodon hispidus* 

Leucanthemum vulgare** 


Liverworts*** 



Lotus uliginosa* 


Luzula multiflora** 

Lychnis flos-cuculi 

Lysimachia vulgaris** 



Mentha sp.


Menyanthes trifoliata 


Myosotis secunda*** 


Parentucellia viscosa** 

Pedicularis sylvatica 


Phleum bertolini** 

Phleum pratense 


Picea sitchensis** 


Platanthera bifolia* 

Poa sp. 

Poa trivialis 





Potentilla palustris** 


Primula veris 


Pulicaria dysenterica** 

Quercus robur** 



Ranunculus lingua 


Rhinanthus minor* 

Rosa canina* 


Rumex acetosa 


Rumex conglomeratus** 

Rumex crispus 


Sagina procumbens 

Salix alba** 

Salix aurita*** 

Salix caprea* 

Salix cinerea 

Schoenus nigricans** 

Senecio aquaticus 

38 


Silene dioica** 

Sonchus asper 

Sonchus oleraceus** 

Sphagnum moss*** 

Stachys palustris 

Stellaria aparine 


Stellaria uliginosa*** 



Triglochin palustre 



Valeriana officinalis 

Veronica agrestis*** 

Veronica beccabunga 


Viburnum opulus* 

Vicia cracca 

Vicia sepium 

Vicia sp.


GM1 Marsh 


Agrostis stolonifera* 



Caltha palustre 

Carex nigra 

Cardamine pratensis*** 

Carex ovalis*** 

Carex rostrata*** 

Carex vesicaria 

Centaurea nigra* 


Cladium mariscus* 

Crataegus monogyna* 


Equisetum sp. 



Gallium palustre 











Molina caerulea 

Myosotis palustris 

Phleum pratensis 

Phragmites australis* 




Potentilla palustre 




Rumex sp. 


Salix aurita 

39 

Salix cinerea 

Schoenus nigricans* 

Silene dioica 

Valeriana officinalis* 

Vicia cracca 

HH1 Dry siliceous heath 

Agrostis stolonifera*** 

Alopecurus geniculatus*** 

Andromeda polifolia*** 

Anthoxanthum odoratum*** 

Calluna vulgaris*** 

Carex nigra*** 

Carex panicea*** 

Cerastium fontanum*** 

Cladonia portensis*** 

Crataegus monogyna*** 

Deschampsia flexuosa*** 


Dryopteris dilatata*** 

Erica tetralix*** 

Eriophorum angustifolium*** 

Eriophorum vaginatum*** 

Gallium saxatile*** 

Juncus articulatus*** 


Juncus squarrosus*** 


Narthecium ossifragum*** 

Poa annua*** 

Polygala vulgaris*** 


Rubus fruticosus*** 



Sorbus aucuparia*** 

Sphagnum sp. *** 


Trichophorum caespitosum*** 


Vaccinum myrtillus*** 

Vaccinum oxycoccus***


HH3 Wet heath 



Bryophytes 

Carex panicea 




Deschampsia sp.*** 

Eriophorum vaginatum*** 

Erica tetralix*** 

Festuca ovina 

Festuca rubra 






Populus sp. 


Ribes sp. 


Schoenus nigricans 




Vaccinium myrtillus*** 

HD1 Dense bracken 



Carex echinata 

Carex flacca 




Festuca arundinacea 


Hypericum sp. 



Luzula multiflora 

Pedicularis sp. 

40 









PB1 Raised bog 

Andromeda polifolia* 



Betula pubescens 



Cladonia portentosa* 


Drosera rotundifolia 

Dryopteris dilatata 

Epilobium angustifolium 

Equisetum sp. 




Juncus bufonius* 



Narthecium ossifragum 

Osmunda regalis 

Pinguicula vulgaris* 



Rhynchospora alba 

Salix aurita 

Sphagnum capillifolium 

Sphagnum cuspidatum 

Sphagnum imbricatum 

Sphagnum papillosum 


Trichophorum caespitosum 


Vaccinum myrtillus***


PB4 Cutover bog 

Andromeda polifolia 




Callitriche sp.** 


Carex nigra* 

Carex panicea** 


Cladonia portentosa* 





Equisetum sp. 





Geum rivale** 



Lonicera periclymenum* 





Polystichum commune* 

Potamogeton sp. ** 


Potentilla palustre* 



Rhododendron ponticum* 


Rumex acetosa** 

Salix aurita 

Salix cinerea* 

Sorbus aucuparia * 



41 

PF1 Rich fen and flush 

Alnus glutinosa 

Angelica sylvestris** 

Briza media** 

Calluna vulgaris** 

Carex flacca** 

Carex panicea 

Carex pulicaris** 

Carex viridula** 



Equisetum sp. 

Erica cinerea** 








Pinus sp. 

Polygala vulgaris** 





WN1 Oak-birch-holly woodland 

Alnus glutinosa*** 

Athyrium filix-femina*** 


Blechnum spicant*** 

Brachypodium sylvatica*** 

Carex sylvatica*** 




Dryopteris affinis*** 


Dryopteris filix-mas*** 



Geum urbanum***


Hedera helix 

Ilex aquifolium*** 


Lysimachia nemorum*** 

Oxalis acetosella*** 

Phallus impudicus*** 

Poa sp. *** 

Polypodium vulgare*** 

Prunus avium*** 

Prunus spinosa*** 

Pteridium aquilinum*** 

Quercus robur*** 

Rubus fruticosus agg. *** 

Salix caprea*** 


Salix sp. 

Veronica chamaedrys*** 

WN2 Oak-ash-hazel woodland 


Aesculus hippocastanum** 

Agrostis capillaris** 


Ajuga reptans 

Alliaria petiolata 

Allium ursinum* 


Anemone nemorosa* 


Anthriscus sylvestris** 

Arctium minor** 


Arum maculatum 

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum 

Athyrium filix-femina 

Aucuba japonica var. ** 




Brachypodium sylvaticum 

Bromus sp. ** 

Buxus sp. ** 

Caltha palustris 


42 

Cardamine hirsuta*** 

Carex divulsa** 


Carex pendula** 

Carex remota** 

Carex sp. 

Carex sylvatica 

Castanea sativa 



Chrysosplenium oppositifolium*** 

Circaea lutetiana 



Clematis vitalba* 




Dactylorhiza majalis*** 




Dryopteris affinis 


Dryopteris filix-mas 



Epilobium montanum** 

Epilobium sp. 

Epipactis helleborine*** 

Epipactis palustre*** 



Equisetum sp. 

Euonymus europaeus 


Festuca rubra** 


Fragaria vesca** 


Fuchsia ricartonia*** 


Galium odoratum 

Galium palustre**


Galium saxatile*** 


Geum urbanum 

Glechoma hederacea 

Hedera helix 



Hyacinthoides non-scriptus 


Hypericum sp. *** 

Hypericum tetrapterum** 


Ilex aquifolium 




Juncus sp. 

Lapsana communis 

Lathyrus pratensis*** 

Leycesteria formosa*** 

Ligustrum vulgare** 


Lonicera nitida*** 

Lonicera periclymenum 

Luzula sylvatica*** 

Lycopus europaeus*** 

Lysimachia nemorum 

Malus domestica** 

Melampyrum pratense*** 

Melica uniflora 


Mentha sp. 

Oxalis acetosella 



Phyllitis scolopendrium 

Picea abies** 

Picea sitchensis 

Pinus sp. 

Pinus sylvestris** 

Plantago lanceolata** 


Poa annua 

Poa palustre*** 

43 

Poa sp. *** 

Poa trivialis* 

Polygonatum sp. ** 

Polypodium vulgare 

Polystichum setiferum 

Populus tremula 


Potentilla reptans** 

Potentilla setiferum 


Primula veris* 

Primula vulgaris 

Prunus avium** 

Prunus sp. 


Pseudosuga menziesii** 

Pteridium aquilinum ** 

Quercus robur 

Ranunculus acris* 

Ranunculus ficaria 


Ribes rubrum 


Rosa canina 

Rosa sp. 


Rubus idaeus** 

Rumex crispus 

Rumex sanguineus 

Rumex sp. 


Salix caprea 

Salix cinerea 

Salix sp. 


Sanicula europaeus 


Senecio aquaticus*** 

Senecio jacobaea** 

Sobaria sp. ** 

Sonchus asper 


Sorbus aucuparia 

Stachys sylvatica


Stellaria holostea 

Succisa pratensis** 


Taxus baccata* 

Teucrium scorodonia 



Ulmus glabra 

Urtica dioica 



Veronica montana 

Veronica sp. 

Viburnum opulus 

Vicia sepium 

Viola riviniana 

Viola sp. 

WN6 Wet willow-alder-ash woodland 







Callitriche sp. *** 

Carex flacca 

Carex remota 


Chrysosplenium oppositifolium 







Epilobium montanum 

Equisetum sylvaticum 

Euonymus europaeus** 





44 



Geum urbanum 



Glyceria maxima*** 

Hedera helix** 



Ilex aquifolium** 


Lemna sp. *** 



Myosotis laxa*** 

Nasturtium officinale*** 

Phragmites australis** 



Quercus robur 


Ranunculus repens*** 

Rosa canina** 


Rumex sanguineus*** 

Salix cinerea 


Sanicula europaea 


Senecio jacobaea*** 

Solanum dulcamara 

Stachys sylvatica 


Ulmus glabra 

Ulmus procera** 

Urtica dioica 



Viola sp. 

WN7 Bog woodland 



Anthoxanthum odoratum**



Brachypodium sylvaticum** 


Carex sp. ** 




Dryopteris affinis** 

Dryopteris dilatata** 


Epilobium montanum** 




Geranium robertianum** 






Lonicera periclymenum** 

Molinia caerulea** 

Prunus avium 


Pteridium aquilinum** 

Ranunculus acris** 





Salix alba** 

Salix aurita 

Salix cinerea 

Salix sp. ** 


Solidago virgaurea** 



Veronica beccabunga** 


WD1 (Mixed) broadleaved woodland 



45 


Alliaria petiolata* 

Allium ursinum* 


Anthoxanthum odoratum** 


Arctium minor 



Araucaria araucaria*** 



Briza media** 

Buxus sempervirens** 


Cardamine flexuosa 

Carex panicea** 

Carex sylvatica 

Centaurea erythraea** 






Conopodium majus 

Cordyline australis*** 



Cynosurus cristatus** 



Deschampsia caespitosa** 

Dryopteris affinis** 

Dryopteris dilatata** 




Epilobium parviflorum** 

Epilobium sp. 


Euonymus europaeus** 

Euonymus x fortuneii*** 

Euphrasia sp. ** 

Fagus sylvatica


Fagus sylvatica pendula*** 

Fagus sylvatica Purpurea** 

Festuca rubra ** 

Filipendula ulmaria* 

Fragaria vesca** 


Fuchsia sp.*** 


Galium odoratum** 



Geum urbanum 

Glechoma hederacea** 

Hedera helix 



Houttuynia cordata Chameleon*** 


Hypericum androsaemum** 

Hypericum hidcote*** 

Hypericum sp. ** 




Lapsana communis* 

Laurus nobilis* 

Leontodon autumnalis** 


Ligustrum sp. 

Ligustrum vulgaris** 

Linum catharticum** 


Lysimachia nemorum 

Medicago lupulina** 

Melissa officinale*** 


Oxalis acetosella** 

Phyllitis scolopendrium** 

Picea abies* 



Poa sp. 

Polystichum aculeatum * 


46 



Prunus laurocerasus* 


Pteridium aquilinum ** 

Pyracantha sp.*** 

Quercus robur 

Ranunculus auricomus 


Ranunculus repens* 

Rosa canina** 

Rosa sp. * 


Rumex crispus* 


Rumex sanguineus 

Rumex sp. 

Salix caprea** 


Salix sp. 


Sanguisorba minor** 

Sanicula europaea** 


Senecio jacobaea* 


Sorbus aucuparia** 

Sparganium erectum*** 


Stellaria media 

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus* 


Thymus vulgaris** 

Tilia cordata 

Tilia sp. ** 

Tilia x europaea* 

Torilis japonica** 

Trifolium pratense** 

Trifolium repens** 

Ulex europaeus** 

Ulmus glabra 

Ulmus procera 

Urtica dioica 

Veronica chamaedrys**


Veronica montana 

Veronica officinalis 

Veronica serpyllifolia** 

Viburnum opulus* 


Vicia sp. 

Viola reichenbackiana* 

Viola sp. 

WD2 Mixed broadleaved/conifer woodland 

Abies sp. 



Alliaria petiolata*** 


Anthriscus sylvestris*** 






Clematis vitalba** 

Cornus sp. ** 


Cotoneaster sp.*** 



Dryopteris affinis 







Galium aparine*** 


Geum urbanum 


Hedera helix 

Hyacinthoides non-scriptus*** 

Hypericum humifusum 



Larix decidua** 

47 



Petasites fragrans*** 



Picea abies* 


Pinus sylvestris 

Polystichum setiferum*** 

Prunus domestica 

Prunus kanzan 


Pseudosuga menziesii 


Quercus robur 


Rosa canina*** 

Rosa sp. 


Rumex sanguineus*** 

Salix caprea 

Salix cinerea 

Salix fragilis** 


Sanicula europaea 

Senecio vulgaris*** 

Sparganium emersum** 

Taxus baccata** 


Ulmus sp. *** 

Urtica dioica 



Vicia sepium*** 

Viola sp. 

WD3 (Mixed) conifer woodland 

Ajuga reptans*** 

Alnus glutinosa*** 

Anthriscus sylvestris*** 

Asplenium scolopendrium*** 


Brachypodium sylvaticum*** 

Carex pendula***



Chrysosplenium oppositifolium*** 

Circaea lutetiana*** 


Corylus avellana*** 





Epilobium parviflorum*** 

Fagus sylvatica seedlings*** 

Filipendula ulmaria*** 

Fragaria vesca*** 

Fraxinus excelsior*** 

Galium aparine*** 



Hedera helix*** 

Holcus lanatus*** 

Hyacinthoides non-scriptus*** 

Ilex aquifolium*** 


Larix decidua* 



Melica uniflora*** 

Oxalis acetosella*** 

Picea abies* 




Populus x canescens*** 

Prunus laurocerasus*** 


Quercus robur*** 


Rosa sp. *** 

Rubus fruticosus*** 

Sambucus nigra*** 

Sanicula europaeus*** 

Sorbus aucuparia*** 

Stellaria holostea*** 

Veronica chamaedrys*** 

48 

Vicia sepium*** 

Viola sp. *** 

WD4 Conifer plantation 

Abies sp. 

Larix sp. 

Picea abies 


Pinus contorta 


Pseudosuga menziesii 

WD5 Scattered trees and parkland 

Acer pseudoplatanus* 



Cerastium fontanum** 





Fraxinus excelsior pendula 



Geum urbanum** 



Quercus robur** 



Ulmus procera* 


Viola sp. ** 

Tilia sp.*** 

WS1 Scrub 



Agrostis capillaris** 



Andromeda polifolia 

Angelica sylvestris


Arctium minor* 





Briza media 




Carex panicea 

Carex pilulifera 

Carex sylvatica** 



Circaea lutetiana** 










Dactylorhiza majalis 

Daucus carota** 









Equisetum sp. 

Erica cinerea 




Euonymus europaeus ** 


Euphrasia sp. 



49 





Galium verum 

Geranium molle 




Glyceria maxima*** 

Gymnadenia conopsea** 

Hedera helix 




Hypericum humifusum 




Juncus articulatus** 



Larix decidua 



Ligustrum sp. 

Ligustrum vulgare 






Luzula sylvatica 

Malus sp. 

Mentha arvensis 

Mentha sp. ** 




Pedicularis sylvatica 




Plantago lanceolata


Poa annua** 

Poa palustris*** 

Poa sp. 


Polypodium vulgare** 

Polystichum aculeatum 

Populus sp. 




Potentilla sterilis** 


Prunus avium 

Prunus domestica* 



Quercus robur 





Rosa canina* 

Rosa sp. 



Rumex sanguineus** 

Salix aurita 

Salix caprea 

Salix cinerea 

Salix fragilis* 

Salix sp. 




Silene dioica 




Sphagnum imbricatum 

Sphagnum papillosum 

Stellaria media** 



Taxus baccata** 

50 


Trichophorum caespitosum 

Trifolium dubium 




Ulmus glabra 

Ulmus procera 

Urtica dioica 

Valeriana officinalis * 



Vicia cracca 


Viola riviniana 

Viola sp. ** 

WS2 Immature woodland 

Abies sp.** 









Digitalis purpurea 


Epilobium sp. 









Picea sp. ** 

Populus sp. ** 



Quercus cerise** 

Quercus robur



Reynoutria japonica** 


Rumex acetosella 


Salix sp. 


Silene dioica 

Taraxacum officinalis 



WS3 Ornamental/non-native shrub 

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana** 

Cotoneaster horizontalis** 


Grisilina littoralis 

Hypericum hidcote** 

Ligustrum ovalifolium 

Lonicera nitida 

Pyracantha sp. ** 

x Cupressocyparis leylandii 

WS4 Short rotation coppice 

Salix sp. 

WS5 Recently felled woodland 

Acer pseudoplatanus** 




Arum maculatum** 

Athyrium filix-femina 


Brachypodium sylvaticum** 



Carex flacca 

Carex sylvatica** 






51 






Fagus sylvatica** 

Festuca gigantea 











Hypericum perforatum** 

Hypericum repens 

Hypericum tetrapterum 












Oxalis acetosella 






Polygonum persicaria 




Primula vulgaris** 


Quercus robur**


Ranunculus acris** 



Ribes rubrum 


Salix cinerea 



Senecio vulgaris** 

Sisymbrium officinale 

Solanum dulcamara 

Sonchus arvensis 

Sonchus asper** 






Urtica dioica 


Veronica chamaedrys** 

Vicia cracca 

Vicia sepium 

Viola sp. ** 

WL1 Hedgerows 






Ajuga reptans*** 






Asplenium adiantum-nigrum 

Asplenium trichomanes*** 

Asplenium ruta-muraria*** 


Bellis perennis*** 

Betula pendula* 


52 



Carex divulsa 


Centaurium erythraea 


Circaea lutetiana*** 

Cirsium arvensis 



Clematis vitalba* 



Cynosurus cristatus*** 

Cytisus scoparius*** 


Daucus carota 

Digitalis purpureum*** 





Epilobium montanum*** 





Festuca rubra 






Galium verum 

Galium odoratum*** 

Galium saxatile*** 




Hedera helix 




Hyacinthus non-scriptus***


Hypericum androsaemum 

Hypericum androsaenum*** 

Hypericum maculatum 

Hypericum perforatum 

Hypericum pulchrum*** 

Hypochoeris radicata*** 




Knautia arvensis 

Larix decidua 



Leucanthemum vulgare*** 

Ligustrum sp. 

Ligustrum vulgaris* 





Lychnis flos-cuculi*** 

Lysimachia nemorum*** 


Malus domestica* 


Mentha spicata 

Myosotis discolor 

Myosotis palustris 







Populus tremula*** 




Prunella vulgaris*** 

Prunus avium*** 

Prunus domestica 

Prunus laurocerasus*** 



53 

Pyrus pyraster* 

Quercus robur* 


Reynoutria japonica 

Rosa arvense 

Rosa canina 

Rosa sp. 


Rumex acetosa*** 


Rumex sanguineus** 

Rumex sp. 

Salix aurita 

Salix caprea 

Salix cinerea 

Salix sp. 

Salix viminalis 

Salix x multinervis 


Schoenplectus lacustris 

Scrophularia nodosa*** 

Senecio erucifolius*** 


Silene latifolia 


Sorbus aria 


Stachys sylvatica*** 

Stellaria holostea 

Symphoricarphus sp. *** 

Symphytum sp. 


Taxus baccata* 

Teucrium scorodonia*** 

Tilia x europaea* 

Torilis japonica 



Ulmus glabra 

Ulmus procera 

Urtica dioica 


Valeriana officinalis*** 

Veronica chamaedrys


Veronica officinalis 


Vicia sepium 

Viola sp. 

WL2 Treelines 



Chamaecyparis sp. 





Hedera helix 

Larix decidua 



Populus sp. 

Quercus robur* 

Rosa canina 

Salix cinerea 


Tilia sp.** 

Ulmus sp. 

ER1 Exposed siliceous rock 

Ferns 

Grasses 

Hedera helix 



Saxifraga sp. 


ER2 Exposed calcareous rock 

Briza media 






Festuca sp. 

Fragaria vesca 


54 

Geranium dissectum 


Geum urbanum 

Hedera helix 


Linum bienne 



Orchid withered 





Rosa canina 


Sanguisorba minor 

Sedum acre 



Trifolium dubium 



Vicia sativa 

ED1 Exposed sand, gravel or till 

Callitriche stagnalis 


Glyceria maxima 

Glyceria notata 



Ranunculus peltatus 


Salix fragilis 

Scrophularia nodosa 

ED2 Spoil and bare ground 

Poa annua* 

Salix sp. * 

Senecio vulgaris* 

Taraxacum officinale* 

ED3 Recolonising bare ground 

Achillea millefolium**



Anagallis arvensis 

Antennaria dioica*** 



Arctium minor** 





Chenopodium alba 



Cotoneaster sp. 



Daucus carota 

Dipsacus fullonum** 

Elymus repens*** 





Festuca sp. *** 


Fumaria officinalis** 


Hedera helix 




Hypericum sp. 


Juncus bufonius 

Lamium purpureum** 


Leontodon autumnalis** 



Lotus corniculatus*** 

Matricaria discoidea 




55 




Potentilla reptans** 


Reseda lutetiana** 

Rhus typhina** 

Rubus fruticosus agg. ** 



Salix cinerea 


Senecio vulgaris 


Stachys sylvatica** 




Trifolium pratensis 


Tussilago farfara 

Ulex europaeus** 

Urtica dioica 


Vicia cracca 

Vicia sepium 

Yellow Brassica** 

ED6 Set-aside 


Chenopodium sp.** 

Cirsium arvensis** 

Cirsium sp. 

Cirsium vulgare** 









Sonchus oleraceus**




BC1 Arable crops 

Acer pseudoplatanus** 

Anagallis arvensis** 

Avena fatua** 

Beta vulgaris 


Capsella bursa-pastoris** 




Euphrasia sp. ** 



Hordeum vulgare 

Lamium purpureum** 



Matricaria discoidea** 

Miscanthus giganteus** 

Myosotis arvensis** 



Poa sp. ** 

Polygonum aviculare** 

Polygonum persicaria** 


Rosa sp. ** 




Sherardia arvensis** 


Triticum sp. 


veronica chamaedrys** 

Vicia sativa** 

Viola arvensis** 

Zea mays 

BC2 Horticultural land 

Allium cepa 

56 

Brassica oleracea 

Daucus carota subsp. sativus 

Malus domestica 

Solanum tuberosum 

BC4 Flower beds and borders 

Allium schoenoprasum 

Malus domestica 

Brassica oleracea 

Chrysanthemum rubellum sp. 

Dianthus sp. 

Digitalis purpurea 

Geranium sp. 

Juniperus squamata sp. 

Kniphofia sp. 

Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum 

Lactuca sativa 

Lupinus sp. 

Allium cepa 

Paeonia sp. 

Papaver orientalis 

Solanum tuberosum 

Rosmarinus officinalis 

Stachys byzantina 

x Cupressus macrocarpa 

BL1A Stone walls 

Antirrhinum majus** 


Arum maculatum** 

Asplenium ruta-muraria* 

Asplenium trichomanes* 

Blechnum spicant** 


Bryophytes 


Cardamine flexuosa 



Epilobium sp. 

Festuca rubra* 


Geranium robertianum* 

Hedera helix



Lichens* 


Parietaria diffusa* 

Phyllitis scolopendrium* 

Potentilla sterilis* 

Rubus fruticosus agg. ** 

Sambucus nigra** 


Taraxacum officinale* 

BL1B Other stonework 

Bryophytes** 


Hedera helix* 

Lichens** 


Poa annua* 

Rubus fruticosus agg. * 

Sambucus nigra* 


BL2 Earth banks 



Anthoxanthum odoratum*** 








Carex sp. ** 



Cirsium arvensis 







Daucus carota*** 

57 





Elymus repens 

Epilobium parviflorum*** 

Epilobium sp. ** 


Equisetum fluviatile*** 

Euphorbia peplus** 






Galium verum** 



Hedera helix 


Holcus lanatus*** 

Hypericum pulchrum*** 



Juncus inflexus*** 



Leontodon autumnalis*** 




Myosotis arvensis** 




Poa trivialis 

Polygala vulgaris*** 





Potentilla sterilis** 

Primula vulgaris*** 

Prunella vulgaris***





Rosa canina 

Rosa arvensis*** 


Rumex acetosa** 


Sambucus nigra** 





Taxus baccata*** 

Taraxacum officinale** 

Trifolium pratense*** 

Trifolium repens** 


Ulmus procera** 




Vicia cracca 

Vicia sepium 

58 

BL3 Buildings and artificial surfaces 

Asplenium scolopendrium 


Buddleia davidii** 



Poa annua** 





BL3D Land being developed 

No species recorded 

BL3 1 Large urban gardens 


BL3 2 Medium urban gardens 


BL3 3 Small urban gardens 

No species recorded


APPENDIX 9. TARGET NOTES 

Townland, grid-square and target note numbers for different habitats in County Laois Parish Habitat Survey 

during 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. 

Limestone/marl lakes (FL3) 

Townland Grid square Target note number 

Ballinlough S5399 N1 

Bellegrove N5905 N3 



Kilbride N5209 N4 

Eroding/Upland rivers (FW1) 


Ballylehane Upper S6084 N1 

Doonane S5880 N1 



Wolfhill S5984 N1 

Depositing lowland rivers (FW2) 


Ballickmoyler S6381 N1 


Ballynakill/Ashfield S6382 N1 

Coolanowle S6485 N1 

Courtwood N6002 N1 


Garryvacum N5506 N1 

Kilcruise S6184 N3 

Killeshin S6777 N1 


Vicarstown (Dodd) N6001 N2 

59


Canals (FW3) 


Bracklone N5511 N3 


Drainage ditches (FW4) 


Ballymorris N5211 N4 

Cappakeel N5604 N5 

Coolnacurragh S3378 N4 

Coolroe N5903 N2 

Cooltederry N5412 N5 


Doolough N5409 N4 

Droughill N5413 N3 

Garrymaddock N5703 N5 

Morett N5404 N7 

Rahenahown North N5802 N2 

Rosnamullane N5901 N1 

Tinnaragh S3282 N1 

Dry calcareous and neutral grassland (GS1) 

An asterisk after townland name indicates that it is worth considering as a priority grassland 


Carrigeen N5500 N11 



Clogrennan S7073 N5 

Coolnacarrick S5296 N1 

Dairyhill S3483 N1 

Garrendenny S6075 N1 

Garryduff S5282 N3 


Grange Upper S5396 N2 


Kilbride* N5209 N7 

60





Middlemount or 

Ballyvoghlaun 

S3278 N2 

Park or Dunamase N5298 N12 

Park or Dunamase N5398 N2 

Dry meadows and grassy verges (GS2) 


Ashfield S6581 N3 










Crossneen, Ballyhide, 

Clogrennan 

S7074 N2 

Droughill N5413 N4 



Killone N5402 N3 

Raheen N5300 N7 

Raheenahown North N5902 N2 

Rathcrea N5801 N9 

Tinnasragh S6481 N1 

Tirhogar N5510 N1 


61


Dry-humid acid grassland (GS3) 


Ardateggle S6476 N2 



Hophall S5095 N10 

Monavea S6276 N1 




Rossmore S6675 N1 


Wet grassland (GS4) 


Ashfield S6482 N1 

Ballycarroll S5199 N2 









Coolacurragh S3378 N2 

Coolacurragh S3378 N3 


Curragh S3481 N2 



Garrendenny S6076 N1 





62




Gortahile S6174 N3 





Lough N5408 N2 

Middlemount or Ballyvoghlaun S3278 N3 



Oldleagh S6681 N1 

Park or Dunamase S5198 N2 


Rahandrick Upper S3181 N1 

Raheenahown North N5902 N3 




Shanvaghey S3380 N3 

Tonafarna N5802 N3 

Turra S6179 N1 


Marsh (GM1) 


Aghnahily Bog S5198 N3 

Cooletederry N5412 N4 



Tintore & Ballycolla S3581 N1 

63


Dry siliceous heath (HH1) 


Ardateggle S6476 N1 





Wet heath (HH3) 


Ballyduff 







Raised bog (PB1) 




Cutover bog (PB4) 






Dysart S5197 N1 


Rich fen and flush (PF1) 



64


Poor fen and flush (PF2) 



Oak-ash-hazel woodland (WN2) 


Ardateggle, Monavea S6277 N1 


Ballymaddock S5498 N2 


Ballythomas N5500 N1 

Carrageen N5500 N15 


Chapelhill S3381 N1 

Coolanknowle, Maidenhead, 

Ballynagall, Ashfield 

S6483, S6583, S6582 N1 

Cooperhill Demense S6679 N1 












Kilmurray N5501 N2 




Kilteale S5498 N3 

Lamberton Demesne S4193 N1 



65










Park Upper S5498 N3 




Scrub (WS1) 


Aghnahily S5597 N5 

Aghnahily S5397 N8 

















Ballymaddock N5400 N2 

Ballymaddock N5400 N3 


66


















Cloonaloo S6678 N1 

Cloonaloo S6678 N2 



















67

















Garryvacum 5507 N6 







Kilbreedy S3080 N1 

Kilbreedy S3080 N2 













68









Loughakeo S5296 N5 

Middlemount S3079 N1 

Middlemount or 

Ballyvoghlaun 

S3278 N1 










Oldglass S3279 N1 

Park Lower S5597 N1 










Powelstown S5294 N3 

Rahandrick Upper S3181 N2 




69






Raheenanisky S5395 N4 



Rathillig S6682 N1 

Shanvaghey S3181 N1 

Slatt Upper S58824 N3 

Tinneragh N2 





Turra S6279 N1 

Hedgerows (WL1) 


Ballinlough N5401 N1 

Ballinlough N5400 N1 





Ballyduff (ed. Kilmurry) N5601 N4 











70





Clogrennan, Crossneen S7073, S7074 N1 

Coolanowle, Maidenhead, 

Ballynagall, Ashfield 

S6483, S6583, S6582 N2 

Coolbarry S3183 N1 










Droughill N5513 General 

Farranville S3082 N1 

Fisherstown N6205 N2 






Graigue S7176 N2 



Kilbrackan N6106 N1 

Kilbrackan N6106 N1 








71







Raheenahown South N5801 N1 





Rathleash N5211 N2 

Rathronshin N5906 N2 

Rosnamullane N6001 N1 


Tinneragh S3282 N3 



Exposed siliceous rock (ER1) 


Farrans S6082 N2 

Exposed calcareous rock (ER2) 






Kilmurry N5501 N5 

Flower beds and borders (BC3) 



72


Earth banks (BL2) 





Part of Clogrennan S6473 N1 


Slatt Upper S5981 N2 

73


APPENDIX 10. BIOGEODIVERSITY OF THE CASTLECOMER PLATEAU IN 

SOUTHEAST CO. LAOIS 

INTRODUCTION 

Mary Tubridy and Associates has prepared this report for a geodiversity survey of the portion of the 

Castlecomer Plateau which encroaches on southeast County Laois as part as a study on the biodiversity of 

the area. This is being prepared for relevant Planning Authority (Laois County Council). 

The information contained within this section is concerned with a description of the geological character of 

the site as ascertained from a desk study of relevant information. 

The geological material existing within the site has been generated by the deposition of debris over millions 

of years, and the related erosion of that material. The majority of the geological material underlying the 

area around the site, both the glacial mineral subsoil and the bedrock, are concealed below ground, with 

only a minute percentage of the area consisting of material outcropping at surface. Here the nature, extent 

and complexity of the geological material is detailed, from the bedrock upwards and through the mineral 

subsoil to the topsoil. 

Hydrogeological aspects of this geodiversity will also be assessed. 

GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OF THE CASTLECOMER PLATEAU 

The study area itself is predominantly rural, with the large urban area of Carlow Town at its eastern end, 

and the smaller urban settlements of Killeshin, Newtown, Ballickmoyler, Kilcruise, Wolfhill, Bilbao, Swan 

and Arles being the lesser built-up foci. The irregularly-shaped area covers just under 127 square 

kilometres. 

Topographically, the Barrow Valley lies to the east, and the mid Laois lowlands to the north. The area is 

underlain by a bedrock sequence which dates from the Palaeozoic Era, and is Lower Carboniferous to Upper 

Carboniferous in age (Table 1). The areas macro-topography is clearly influenced by the dominant bedrock 

lithologies and structures. Almost all of the study area is underlain by shale and sandstone (broadly the 

higher, western ‘Plateau’ area) with the lower, eastern extreme underlain by limestones. Overall, the 

bedrock surface is exposed quite often in the plateau area, with bedrock at or within 1m of the surface 

estimated at covering just over 15% of the land surface there (after Meehan, 2003); bedrock crops out less 

commonly in the eastern portion, being at or close to the surface over only c. 3% of this region. 

East and northeast of the area the (generally) lowlying limestone bedrock has been heavily eroded over 

several hundred million years, forming extensive flat basinal terrain in the Barrow Valley and to the north in 

the Irish Midlands. The study area is situated predominantly within the topographically higher Upper 

Carboniferous rocks which were less susceptible to erosion over the millennia. 

74


Figure 1 Location of the study area in southeast Laois, illustrating surrounding topography and surface water stream 

and river features. NHAs, SACs and SPAs are also shown, shaded yellow (OS Licence EN 0057908). 

The elevation of the land surface in the plateau area rises to c. 333m on the summit of Gortahile Hill, in the 

southwestern corner of the study area, and crosses a nadir along the Barrow River northeast of Carlow, at 

c. 49m OD. The slopes on the top of the plateau and in the lowland area west of Carlow Town have general 

gradients in around 1:20 to 1:200, which increases towards the scarp on the eastern flank of the plateau to 

greater than 1:8. This marked scarp which occurs on the eastern edge of the plateau has a gradient of 1:4.5 

in places. 

The main N78 and N80 roads cross the northern and eastern portions of the area respectively, with the 

R430 and R431 roads bisecting the area in its central portion. Several third class roads branch off these 

main arteries on both of their sides. 

75


Plate 1: View of the study area from Old Leighlin in County Carlow. See the high scarp separating the flat, shale 

plateau summit from the gently undulating limestone lowland. 

GEODIVERSITY OF THE BEDROCK GEOLOGY 

The bedrock geology underlying the area is discussed in the GSI publications “Geology of Kildare-Wicklow” 

(1994) and “Geology of Carlow-Wexford” (1994). The 1:100,000 scale bedrock geology maps of the area 

(Sheets 16 and 19) indicate that the study area is underlain entirely by rocks deposited during the 

Carboniferous Period (354 to 290 million years ago), mostly in or at the edges of tropical seas. The rocks 

were deposited as soft coral reefs, sands, silts and muds which later lithified (hardened) in the millions of 

years since. These rocks are pure bedded limestones on the lowland and shales, sandstones and siltstones 

on the uplands. 

The pure bedded limestones to the east comprise two formations: the Ballyadams Formation (BM) and the 

Clogrenan Formation (CL). These outcrop east and north of Arles and in Crossneen townland just 

southwest of Carlow town, and were deposited in a very shallow tropical sea in the Carlow-Laois-Kilkenny 

during the Lower Carboniferous Period (354 to 310 million years ago). The Clogrenan Formation is more 

argillaceous (muddy) and contains chert bands. Both formations are rich in fossils, particularly 

brachiopods. The Lower Carboniferous rocks are depicted as shades of light blue in the eastern portion of 

the study area in Figure 2. 

The shales and sandstones are of Upper Carboniferous (310 to 290 million years ago) age and comprise 

seven formations: the Luggacurren Shale Formation (LS), the Killeshin Siltstone Formation (KS), the Bregaun 

76


Flagstone Formation (BE), the Moyadd Coal Formation (MC), the Clay Gall Sandstone Formation (CG), the 

Coolbaun Formation (CQ), and the Swan Sandstone Member (CQSs). These are depicted as various shades 

of greys and light yellow in Figure 2. 

Figure 2: Bedrock geology map of the study area. The contrast between the lowland (blue) limestones and the higher 

(in the majority grey) shales and sandstones is clearly seen. 

The Upper Carboniferous Period can be subdivided into the Namurian and the Westphalian stages. The 

earlier, Namurian stage marked a change from shallow tropical seas in this area, 310 million years ago, to a 

quieter, deep water environment. This was probably due to tectonic (earth movement) uplift. 

The Namurian stage included deposition of muds within the deep water (forming the shales), and deltas at 

river mouths (forming sandstones and siltstones). Within the plateau area the rocks of the Luggacurren 

Formation (LS), the Killeshin Siltstone Formation (KS) and the Bregaun Flagstone Formation (BE) are of 

Namurian age. These rocks are dominated by shales and mudstones and are rich in bivalve (mollusc) and 

goniatite (ammonite) fossils. About 15%-20% of the Bregaun Flagstone Formation comprises sandstones 

and siltstones. 

The Westphalian stage included the deposition of the coals for which the plateau is famous. At that time 

the water level continued to drop and the buried land got ever-closer to the surface, so swamp conditions 

prevailed. The climate was still tropical and wet so when trees fell into the swamp they were buried to 

77


form a peaty deposit. Following deep burial and millions of years of lithification (hardening), these deposits 

turned into coal. 

The entire Westphalian rock sequence is about 300m thick and comprises the Moyadd Coal Formation 

(MC), the Clay Gall Sandstone Formation (CG), the Coolbaun Formation (CQ), and the Swan Sandstone 

Member (CQSs). The Moyadd Coal Formation is the earliest layer and comprises the major coal-bearing 

units, where two major seams are recognised (the Rockafoil or Kingsfoot Coal, and the Skehana or Marine 

Band Seam). This is overlain by the Clay Gall Sandstone Formation which includes ‘clay galls’, or sandstones 

enclosing pebbles of shale. At the top of this 30m-50m thick unit a third major coal horizon occurs (‘Ward’s 

Seam). This is succeeded by 15m-45m of the Coolbaun Formation shales, which are again overlain by 5m- 

20m of fine grained sandstone which is termed the Swan Sandstone Member. 

The top of the Westphalian sequence includes the ‘Double Fireclay’, a layer underlying six other coal seams. 

These include the lowermost Jarrow Coal and the Old Three Foot Coal seam (see Box 1 below). The Jarrow 

Coal seam is famous in paleontological circles for its amphibian fossils, recovered in the nineteenth century. 

BOX 1: THE COAL SEAMS 

There are several coal seams in the area, three of which were of sufficient thickness to be of economic 

value. 

The highest of these is “The Three Foot Seam”, which lies between 15m and 35m below ground level 

surface and lies in a wide band from Doonane to Coolbawn and extending from Clogh to the foot of the 

Coolbawn hills. Owing to the Coolbawn Fault the seam also occurs above the Coolbawn hills, but does not 

extend very far to the east. This 1m thick seam was of very high quality anthracite and being so shallow, 

was easily worked. 

The second seam is “The Jarrow”, c. 70m below “The Three Foot Seam”. A horseshoe shaped belt occurs 

between Doonane, Moneenroe and Coolbawn where the coal is much thicker and of better quality than 

over the area on each side. In this “channel” the coal was sometimes 1.3m thick, whereas the outlying coal 

is only some 0.25m thick and uneconomic unless excavated as open-cast. 

The third seam is 90m below “The Jarrow”, where “The Skehana Seam” offers high quality coal. This is the 

best quality anthracite found in Europe, but is only of relatively small lateral extent. 

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Figure 3: Detail of original Geological Survey of Ireland 6” sheet of part of the Skehana locality on the Castlecomer 

plateau. The outcropping coal has been noted, and the potential boundary of the seam drawn in pencil on the map. 

Following the deposition of the limestone, the shales and sandstones, and the coal, age followed age with 

some periods dry and hot, others hot and moist, some cold, some very cold when thick ice and glaciers 

moved slowly over the land. At other times the whole land sunk beneath the ocean, limestone was formed 

under the seas to reappear when once more the land rose. Gradually, the rocks cooled and buckled, 

mountains pushed up, volcanoes burst forth and lava poured down. As countless ages passed, the 

vegetation of the swamps was covered up and compressed by millions of tons of mud and sand which 

formed into shales and sandstones. In the case of anthracite the pressures were so great that practically all 

the gases were pressed out. 

Sometimes during this time an entire area of rocks split, one part moving downwards or upwards, and 

these movements gave rise to faults. The faults meant a ‘re-stacking’ of the rocks, and a fault of 100m 

depth at Coolbawn means that the seams of coal which lay beneath the flat land between Crettyard and 

Coolbawn originally, after they were deposited, were pushed up and are now found on the top of the 

Coolbawn hills. 

79


Plate 2: A disused shale quarry at Lacken, Old Leighlin, County Carlow, just outside the study area. 

The entire Castlecomer Plateau is termed on a regional basis as the Leinster Coalfield. It forms an elevated 

basin elongated in a north-south direction due to east-west compression. Evidence suggests that a much 

greater thickness of Westphalian sediments occurred both in the Castlecomer area and throughout Ireland, 

but were later eroded. The majority of the coal in the Castlecomer Plateau is of anthracite grade, owing to 

deeper burial under overlying rocks resulting in heating by the Earths own core to much higher 

temperatures over the last few million years deep below the surface than, for instance, the bituminous coal 

of northern England. Anthracite is of a higher calorific value than this bituminous coal, but is much harder 

to burn. 

Four sites within the study area are proposed Geological Heritage Sites under the IGH Programme of the 

Geological Survey of Ireland. 

The first of these is at the old mine/pit workings at Rossmore (NGR 266583 174350), where 

anthracite is exposed and is of National Importance with respect to three themes within IGH: 

Mineralogy, Namurian Stratigraphy and Economic Geology, and which is proposed as a Natural 

Heritage Area (NHA). 

The second is Flemings Fireclay Quarries at Swan (NGR 256799 182164), which is also proposed as 

an NHA, and is the site at which Richard Griffith coined the term ‘fireclay’ in 1814, which has been 

used since in the geological literature. 

80


The third site is at Killeshin Glen (NGR 266770 277430), where a stream section exposes excellent 

examples of fossil goniatites and may be granted NHA status. 

The fourth site, at Moyadd Stream, is an excellent example of the typical lithologies of the basal 

Coal Measures, with many of the beds fossiliferous. This site is also of possible NHA status and is 

located at NGR 256590 183260. 

The bedrock sequence of the area therefore comprises some Lower Carboniferous rocks under the lowland 

at the east, but is dominated by rocks of Upper Carboniferous age on the plateau itself. These comprise 

Namurian sandstones and shales, as well as Westphaliam sandstones, shales and coals. The rocks have 

been extensively faulted, and the anthracite seams in the area are some of the best in the world. Many of 

the rocks are highly fossiliferous. Four sites are important in a national sense with respect to Irish 

Geological Heritage. 

BOX 2: BELLS HEAP 

Bells Heap (also called Bells Monument or McClean Tip Head) was a large heap of slack, dirt and coal 110m 

high which covered 3½ acres. It was an iconic symbol of the suffering and hardship of the mines, and 

consisted of the rocks, slates, gum and other detritus which was extracted from the mines, drawn in trams 

and dumped on top of the heap. 

As miners shovelled waste into trams down the mines, much good coal would be also discarded. For 

example, if there was a portion of coal that had many stones within, this would be dumped as it was too 

expensive to separate out. A rail track connected the mine to the heap. When the trams reached the top 

the tram tipped over and emptied out the slack, and then returned to the mine. As the heap got higher 

extra track was added. 

Many poorer people from the locality, often women, made a living from "picking the heap", climbing the 

heap each day to search for good nuggets of coal. They filled their sacks and either used the coal in their 

own fires or sold them to supplement their incomes. 

When the mines closed it was decided to use the material from the heap to make cement. Bells Heap was 

taken gradually, lorry load by lorry load, to the Mungret cement factory in Limerick. Lorries drew the 

material for 15 years at a rate of 5 lorry loads a day. Today, about a quarter of the original heap remains. 

81


GEODIVERSITY OF THE SUBSOIL (QUATERNARY, OR ICE AGE) GEOLOGY 

General information concerning the Subsoil (Quaternary) Geology is contained in the Geological Survey of 

Ireland (GSI) publication “Geology of Kildare-Wicklow” (1994). During the last Ice Age in Ireland (73,000 

years BP – 10,000 years BP), ice flowed across the area from northwest to southeast. Glacial deposits in the 

area on the Castlecomer Plateau generally consist of tills (boulder clays), with some areas of bedrock 

outcrop and subcrop also occurring. On the limestone lowland in the eastern extreme of the study area, 

the till is comprised chiefly of limestone, and some glaciofluvial sands and gravels occur. Blanket peat has 

formed in certain areas since glaciation, and narrow strips of alluvial sediment flank some of the streams in 

the area also. 

Figure 4: Subsoils geology map of the study area. Till dominated by Namurian rocks dominates the region, with till 

derived from limestone on the lowlands east of the plateau. The cyan areas within the study area pick out many of the 

old slag heaps of discarded mined debris. 

The subsoil material forming the material under the majority of the plateau is a till, deposited at the base of 

the ice during this time. During the advancement of the glaciers, the weight and pressure of the ice broke 

the shale and sandstone bedrock upon which the glaciers moved and ground it down to particle sizes 

ranging from boulders to clay. In this till, clay is dominant owing to the dominance of soft, easily-erodable 

shale in the bedrock. This material was smeared by the advancing ice on top of the pre-existing bedrock, 

82


leaving the mixture of debris material comprised of till. This material is therefore unsorted, cohesive and 

consolidated reflecting its crushing, smearing depositional process at the base of the ice. 

On the lowland east of the plateau, ice has crushed the limestone bedrock there into till derived from 

limestone. The ice sheets found this rock more difficult to break mechanically than the shale, and the 

limestone tills are therefore dominated by crushed silt material. Clay is less dominant, and the subsoils are 

therefore better drained in the limestone areas. 

The powerful glacial activity has therefore moulded and sculpted the macro-scale landscape character in 

this area. Ice planed and moved across the shale/sandstone and limestone bedrock, as well as transporting 

thousands of tonnes of material onto this bedrock. This debris was left on top of the bedrock surface when 

the ice melted. 

Glaciofluvial sands and gravels occur in the lowland area flanking the Barrow River channel, occurring in 

hummocks and in low terraces flanking the river. These sands and gravels were deposited by meltwater 

flowing off the ice sheet as it retreated across this area at the end of the last glaciation, and are well sorted 

and well bedded deposits. These sand and gravel subsoils are dominated by limestone, hosted within the 

ice sheet and carried from local bedrock. They are generally expressed a well drained, hummocky terrain, 

and host well drained soils as a result. Sand pits were cut into these historically for local supplies of 

aggregate. 

Along the channels of some of the streams on the plateau, and many of the streams on the limestone 

lowland, bands of alluvial (floodplain) sediment occur, usually no more than 200m wide. These areas are 

liable to floods during wet periods. As well as this, two distinct areas of blanket peat bog occur at 

Ardateggle and Rossmore in the southern portion of the study area, where the land is exceptionally poorly 

drained. 

The final ‘subsoil’ type in the area is bedrock outcrop and subcrop (within 1m of the surface), which occurs 

on much of the individual hill summits on top of the plateau. 

Subsoils therefore comprise moderately deep glacial tills across the majority of the area, with some 

glaciofluvial sands and gravels in the lowland area and narrow alluvial floodplain sediments at the bases of 

stream and river channels. Peat occurs on the top of the plateau and bedrock outcrop/subcrop is found on 

the crests of the highest hills. The majority of the tills comprised of local shale, sandstone and limestone 

material, with little erratics found in either of the main till types. 

GEODIVERSITY OF THE SOIL 

According to the An Foras Taluintais Soil Survey of County Laois (Conry, 1987) the study area has a complex 

soils geology. The soils on the plateau are dominated by poorly drained gley soils, with well drained soils 

only occurring only in isolated pockets on the summits and shoulders of the highest hills. 

The majority of the plateau is underlain by poorly drained, impermeable surface water gley soils of the 

Abbeyfeale non-peaty phase. These soils have a very high percentage of fine clay and silt material, and are 

mottled throughout and completely saturated. Some small areas of Abbeyfeale peaty phase and 

83


Abbeyfeale undulating phase occur: these soils are of even worse drainage status than the Abbeyfeale nonpeaty 

phase, owing to their being more peaty or in lower lying areas on the plateau. All of these surface 

water gley soils are characterised by drainage ditches in fields and rush-dominated pasture. 

On some ridge summits and shoulders on the plateau, well drained brown earth soils of the Ridge Series, 

the Ridge Steep Phase and the Ridge Stony Phase occur. The soils are relatively shallow and rest directly on 

bedrock subcrop. 

In the southern portion of the plateau, close to the county boundary around Gortahile and Rossmore, 

cutaway blanket peats of the Aughty Cutover Series occur. 

Grey brown podzolics are well drained soils which have a heavy, clayey ‘B’ horizon, where clay has leached 

through the surface layers over the millennia since the ice age. They are deep, alkaline soils, well suited to 

agriculture but sometimes require a shallow drainage network. In the limestone lowland in the eastern 

extreme of the study area, two distinct series of grey brown podzolic soils occur. The first is of the 

Knockbeg Series, which occurs on the till in the area, with the second being grey brown podzolics of the 

Knockbeg Stony Phase, which occur on the glaciofluvial sands and gravels. 

In lower portions of the landscape on the limestone lowland, where groundwater is relatively close to the 

surface, poorly drained groundwater gley soils of the Howardstown Series occur. These are flanked by 

narrow areas of the Raheenduff Imperfectly Drained Series. 

The poorly drained, impermeable soils on the plateau rest on and within heavy CLAY tills derived from 

shale, which again rest on a predominantly poor, impermeable aquifer of shale and sandstone. From this, 

the rates of infiltration on the plateau itself are very low. The majority of the rainfall which falls on the 

plateau runs off to surface drains and streams, which means there is a high surface water drainage density 

on the plateau itself. This means that virtually every field is flanked by a drain or stream watercourse. 

The soil sequence in the plateau area can therefore be summarised as being dominated by poorly drained 

gleys, with well drained acid brown earths only occurring on the ridge crests and flanks. A distinct area of 

peat occurs around Rossmore and Gortahile. This sequence promotes a high proportion of runoff and very 

little infiltration, which means a high surface water drainage density is a characteristic of the plateau. On 

the limestone lowland to the east, well drained grey brown podzolics occur, which are often stony in the 

sand and gravel areas. The only poorly drained soils here are groundwater gleys in low portions of the 

landscape where the water table rises relatively close to the surface, particularly in winter. 

HYDROGEOLOGICAL GEODIVERSITY - AQUIFER CLASSIFICATION 

Groundwater is defined as water that moves through and is stored within sub-terrain geological strata. The 

aquifer potential of a bedrock unit is determined by the groundwater productivity, and the productivity is 

determined based on hydraulic characteristics compiled from borehole data throughout the country. 

An aquifer map was published by the GSI as part of the initial characterisation of the Southeast River Basin 

District for the EU Water Framework Directive. The rocks of the Luggacurren Formation (LS), the Moyadd 

Coal Formation (MC) and the Coolbaun Formation (CQ) are all classified as Poor Aquifers (PU), where 

84


groundwater flow is through fractures and fissures in the bedrock unit and groundwater yields available 

from the limestone and shale rocks within the succession are generally unproductive. 

Figure 5: Aquifer map of the study area. The bedrock on the plateau is classified in the majority as poor aquifers (Pl or 

Pu, in various shades of orange), with some strips of locally important aquifers (Lm, in light green) also present. On the 

lowland east of the plateau, where limestone forms the bedrock, the aquifers are regionally important (Rkd, in light 

blue). 

The rocks of the Killeshin Siltstone Formation (KN) and the Bregaun Flagstone Formation (BE) are also 

poorly permeable and productive, but sometimes host enough water for small domestic supplies or group 

schemes. The aquifer map shows these rocks as a Poor Aquifer (Pl), where groundwater yields available 

from the shaly rocks within the succession are generally unproductive except in local zones. 

With respect to the rocks of the Swan Sandstone Member (CQSs) and the Clay Gall Sandstone Formation 

(CG), the rocks have the capability of supplying locally important abstractions (e.g. smaller public water 

supplies, group schemes with 100-400 m3/day). Groundwater flow in these rocks occurs predominantly 

through fractures, fissures and joints. The aquifer map shows these rocks as a Locally Important, 

productive bedrock aquifer (Lm), where groundwater yields available from the rocks within the succession 

are generally moderately productive. 

It should be noted that the area east of the plateau, comprising rocks of the Ballyadams Formation (BM) 

and the Clogrenan Formation (CL) is classified as a regionally important karstified aquifer, capable of 

85


supplying regionally important abstractions (e.g. large public water supplies), or ‘excellent’ yields 

(>400 m3/d). Groundwater flow in this area is predominantly occurs through fractures, fissures and joints. 

In summary, the bedrock in the area is categorised as three different classes of aquifer, regionally 

important aquifers occurring in the limestone bedrock, and locally important to poor aquifers on the 

plateau itself. The majority of the plateau is of poor aquifer status. 

86


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APPENDIX 11. HISTORY OF MINING ON THE PLATEAU 

The earliest reference to Castlecomer coal concerns Glenmagoo, where ‘a furnace, iron mine and ‘coal 

place’’ was worked by Richard Blacknall in 1631. Around 1640, when mining of the Three Foot seam 

started, iron was also produced. This was in the form of heavy spherical lumps of iron pyrites which are 

sometimes found associated with coal, particularly in the Jarrow seam. These iron balls were then smelted 

and the iron extracted, and some old gates and railings around Castlecomer made from Castlecomer iron 

still stand. The vicinity of these works was historically known as “glangool”, or ‘Coal Valley’. There were 

reputed to have been iron works here up to 1730. Later, Firoda colliery was opened on a commercial scale 

in 1796. 

The Three Foot seam was mined in these early years using ‘Bell Pit’ methods. Involved two shafts being 

sunk about fifty yards apart, which were joined by an underground passage in order to allow free 

circulation of air. When this was done the miners went down and began to dig out the coal on each side of 

the connecting passage. All of the coal could not be taken out as the roof would have collapsed, so pillars 

of coal were left as supports. 

At the time explosives had not been developed, so the coal was dug out and broken up with wedges and 

hammers. In Britain miners generally extracted c. 60% of the coal from these old pits and later in the 

twentieth century open casting was used to mine the remaining 40%. In Castlecomer, however, the miners 

removed up to 85% of coal, and open casting was then found to be uneconomical when it was attempted. 

It is estimated that some 11 million tons were taken out of the Three Foot seam using Bell Mining methods 

before this seam was exhausted. The Jarrow seam was discovered around 1740. 

By 1800 there were six pits working, with c. 10-12 men in each pit working to a maximum depth of about 

16m. The men sat on straw while working. In the 1820's a man called Isaac Bradley had a lease of 120 

acres for mining in Lower Firoda, and he worked the coal until c. 1850 but then abandoned the working 

owing to financial difficulties. In the late 1880s Captain R.H. Prior-Wandesforde inherited the family estate 

in the area. The Wandesfordes owned, and except for brief periods of leasing, ran the mines. The tenants 

of Upper and Lower Firoda then purchased the rights in 1885, under the Ashbourne Act which gave them 

full mineral rights. They set about exploiting their coal seams and a small company started mining but 

finished after a few years. 

In 1913, a man called Parkinson got a lease on the mines on condition that he worked them. Just before 

the outbreak of the first World War another seam was discovered at Skehana. This was first worked by 

Castlecomer Collieries at a pit in West Skehana and then at the Deerpark, which opened in 1924. This coal 

proved to be of a high quality and compared with the best anthracite found anywhere in the world, being 

practically free of sulphur, and of good heating power. An aerial ropeway was constructed, running above 

the country between the various Jarrow pits and the new Skehana pit. 

In 1914 World War I brought with it a Minister of Mines Veto which stopped the proposed mining. By 1930 

there were five major pits in the Castlecomer coalfield: The Jarrow; The Deerpark; The Rock Bog; The 

Monteen; and The Vera, named after the Wandesfordes eldest daughter. 

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In 1924 an inclined shaft or “Drift” was sunk to the Skehana seam in the Deerpark and became known as 

the “Deerpark Pit”. A few years before, a pit had been sunk to the same seam to the west of the Skehana 

road but proved a failure owing to a complex set of geological faults, and was then closed. 

The Deerpark was worked from 1925 until 1969. Its deepest point was over 200m below ground level and 

some 11 miles of underground roadways were constructed. 

At first and for many years the pit generated its own electric current by steam generators, but later, when 

the ESB made electricity available, all electric current was imported from the National Grid: three power 

lines bringing 30,000 volts to the pit which was then transformed down for use in the various machinery in 

the pit. Since the end of World War II all mining was by machine: electric coal cutters, underground 

conveyers, haulages and pumps. Around 60,000 gallons of groundwater were pumped from the mines each 

hour. 

The coal was sorted, cleaned and sized on the surface at an installation known as “The Screens”. There 

were also up-to-date miners baths. In 1917 a branch railway line was brought from Kilkenny but after 

World War II this was discontinued as lorry transport had become a more economic proposition. The 

railway connection was closed in 1962. At peak production in the 1950’s, trains carried 300 tons a day to a 

depot at Kilkenny station close to the present Chadwicks store. Each train carried c. 100 tons, on from 10 to 

15 carriages. 

In the 1960s it was decided to re-open the old shaft on the lands of Mr. Martin Purcell, which are situated 

in Lower Firoda (Glenmagoo) near the junction of Lower Firoda, Upper Firoda and Byrensgrove. 

By 1969 the mine was completely uneconomic, the loss per week being some £2000. For some time, the 

Government had subsidised the business and every effort was made and expert overseas opinion 

sought but eventually the pit was forced to close. 

A museum about the mines and the history of mining was opened in 2007 in Castlecomer town. 

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Figure 6: Map showing total area of all surface pits within the study area, from Geological Survey of Ireland records. 

Underground mines and individual shafts are not shown. 

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Laois Habitats Survey 2008 - Laois County Council

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