Rostrevor Forest

Rostrevor Forest
Geography
Map showing the location of Rostrevor Forest

Location of Rostrevor Forest

Location Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Coordinates 54°05′42″N 6°11′17″W / 54.095°N 6.188°W / 54.095; -6.188Coordinates: 54°05′42″N 6°11′17″W / 54.095°N 6.188°W / 54.095; -6.188
Area 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres)
Established 1931
Governing body Forest Service Northern Ireland
Ecology
Forest cover 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) (Approx. 59%)
Dominant tree species sitka spruce, douglas fir and pine

Rostrevor Forest is located near the village of Rostrevor, County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies between the Mourne Mountains and Carlingford Lough, in the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The first trees, primarily sitka spruce, douglas fir and pine, were planted in 1931. The Forest Service carries out felling in the forest and replants trees with wildlife conservation in mind. Animal species found in the forest include red and grey squirrels, foxes, badgers, jays and sparrow hawks.[1]

Features

A 40-tonne granite boulder, known as the Cloughmore Stone or The Big Stone, is located on the top of a 1,000-foot (300 m) hill within the forest. It was deposited there approximately 10,000 years ago when the glacial ice sheet receded. The local legend states that the stone was thrown across Carlingford Lough from the top of the Cooley Mountains, by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Rostrevor Oakwood is a 40-acre (16 ha) area of 250-year-old oak trees within the forest. They are the remains of the oak woods that were present on the lower Mourne mountains until it was mostly felled for use in boat building in the 18th and 19th centuries.[2] The area is protected as a Special Area of Conservation.[1][3] A clearing on the southern edge of the oakwood is known as Fiddler's Green and was at one time a gathering point in the village and would have featured various forms of entertainment. Every July since 1986, the village has hosted a traditional music festival named the Fiddler’s Green Festival.[1][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Rostrevor Forest". NI Direct. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  2. ↑ Reports, Issues 2107-2154. Northern Ireland. Parliament. House of Commons. 1971. p. 253.
  3. ↑ Mulvihill, Mary (2003). Ingenious Ireland: A County-by-County Exploration of the Mysteries and Marvels of the Ingenious Irish. Simon and Schuster. p. 140. ISBN 9780684020945.
  4. ↑ "Fiddlers Green Festival". Retrieved 17 December 2014.
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