Dromore Woods Nature Reserve

Dromore Woods Nature Reserve Welcome to Dromore Woods, a nature reserve of approximately one thousand acres in County Clare, Ireland. Managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service.

It has all the attributes necessary for the perfect visit - woods, lakes and a castle. Originally part of a private estate belonging to the Crowe Family, Dromore Wood was acquired by the state in the 1940’s and worked as a commercial forest. During the 1980’s, The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) took over the management of Dromore with an emphasis on the regeneration of native species.

In 1985, it became a statutory Nature Reserve. Covering an area of approximately one thousand acres Dromore Wood has all the attributes necessary for the perfect Nature Reserve. These include rivers, lakes, turloughs and callows (meadows that flood during winter), limestone pavement, fen peat, reed and rush beds and vast areas of species-rich woodland. The area comprises perfect habitat for a huge variety of flora and fauna species. As well as the natural, the Reserve also has an historical and archaeological aspect. The 17th century O’Brien castle stands by the lake edge. There are also the sites of Cahermacrea Castle and Kilakee Church, two ring forts, a limekiln, a children’s burial ground and a chapel. Dromore Wood has long had a reputation as a stronghold of the rare and elusive Pine Marten. You may not see a Pine Marten, they are mainly nocturnal, but along the various trails and paths in the Reserve, their scats (droppings) are regularly seen. A study of the Dromore martens during the 1970’s by Warner and O’Sullivan is still regarded as a major reference for the species. Despite a decrease in Red Squirrel numbers countrywide, there remains a healthy population in Dromore Wood and they are regularly observed as they feed on the ripening hazel crop. There are also a number of active Badger sets within the Reserve, and Stoat, Fox and Hares are commonly seen as are the smaller mammals such as Shrews and Woodmice. At least eight of the nine species of Irish bats are known to inhabit the area of Dromore and there are a number of bat roosts both within and on the perimeter of the wood. Throughout the year, berries, fruits and nuts which grow freely in Dromore Wood provide an essential food source for Badgers, Squirrels and other mammals as well as numerous species of birds. The River Fergus runs alongside the Reserve and feeds the lakes situated within the boundaries. These lakes are perfect habitat for Otters, Coots, grebe species, Moorhen, Water Rail and Heron. During the winter, the lakes flood and vast flocks of Teal and Wigeon along with Goldeneye and Tufted Duck, Pochard and Shoveler amongst others, join the resident population to feed on the flooded meadows. Whooper Swans are frequent winter visitors as was a White-tailed Eagle for a few days of winter 2011/12. Considered a major site for dragonflies and damselflies, Dromore Wood also boasts a large proportion of the various Irish butterfly species. Both purple and brown hairstreaks have been recorded in Dromore recently along with many spring and summer varieties. Brimstones abound from as early as February and in July and August sunny open areas are lit up by the beautiful, large, ginger-coloured Silver-washed Fritillary.

Dromore Woods will remain closed to the public for the duration of the orange weather warning associated with storm Bram...
09/12/2025

Dromore Woods will remain closed to the public for the duration of the orange weather warning associated with storm Bram and subsequent clean-up operations. Please do not enter during this period.

Condition Orange – High Fire RiskWarning Effective From 1400hrs 15/08/2025Effective Period Expires 1200hrs 18/08/2025Ari...
16/08/2025

Condition Orange – High Fire Risk

Warning Effective From 1400hrs 15/08/2025
Effective Period Expires 1200hrs 18/08/2025

Arising from current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.

Current warm weather conditions are forecast to remain in place over the weekend with increased forest fire risks expected as a result. Fire behaviour and spread rates will be moderated by high humidity levels and current live growth in upland vegetation. Fire risk will be increasingly influenced by high temperatures, and variable light to moderate windspeeds during the span of this notice. Windspeeds may exceed 25km/h in some eastern areas over the weekend.

Forest fire ignition risk is likely to be significantly increased by expected high levels of public and visitor activity in fire prone areas during the weekend. High vigilance is warranted in areas with intensive public access and recreational use. Visitors to forests, parks, beaches, and other public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in forest areas. Landowners and managers should remain vigilant to all fire activity and report all suspicious activity to An Garda Siochana. Visitors to forests and other recreational sites should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant byelaws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.

Pending significant rainfall, this risk condition will remain in place until 1200hrs on Monday, August 18th, 2025 unless otherwise stated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Our Burren Ecotourism Network partner, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, are hosting a Community Charity Fun Day this week...
22/05/2025

Our Burren Ecotourism Network partner, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, are hosting a Community Charity Fun Day this weekend in aid of a good cause. Well worth a visit!

09/05/2025
Come along and join us for a guided tour of Dromore Woods!
07/05/2025

Come along and join us for a guided tour of Dromore Woods!

PARK NOTICEORANGE FIRE WARNING ISSUED BY DAFMAdvice to the General Public/Forest VisitorsMembers of the public and visit...
07/04/2025

PARK NOTICE
ORANGE FIRE WARNING ISSUED BY DAFM
Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors
Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas should cooperate with all requests regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles.
Where fire outbreaks occur at or near recreational areas the following actions should be taken by visitors in the interests of safety.
1.Do not light fires in and around forests or open land.
2.Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances.
3.Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car park, upwind of the fire.
4.Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.
5.Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service Instructions
Updated Fire Weather information can be found at:
https://www.met.ie/fore.../farming/graphs/fire-weather-index
https://www.gov.ie

03/02/2025

Dromore Woods Nature Reserve will remain closed to the public for the coming week as cleanup efforts continue in the wake of Storm Éowyn. National Parks and Wildlife Service staff thank you for your continued support at this time.

26/01/2025

Dromore Woods Nature Reserve has sustained substantial storm damage and will remain closed to the public until further notice. Please do not enter during this time while NPWS crews perform cleanup operations to make the site safe. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Closure Advisory: Due to weather warnings associated with Storm Éowyn Dromore Woods Nature Reserve will be closed on Fri...
23/01/2025

Closure Advisory: Due to weather warnings associated with Storm Éowyn Dromore Woods Nature Reserve will be closed on Friday 24th January and for subsequent cleanup operations. Please do not enter during this period. Updates will be posted here.

Excellent to see collaboration on conservation at an international level between our colleagues at Wild Nephin National ...
07/10/2024

Excellent to see collaboration on conservation at an international level between our colleagues at Wild Nephin National Park - Páirc Náisiúnta Néifinne Fiáinea Néifinne Fiáine and Yosemite National Park

Address

Dromore Woods Nature Reserve
Clare

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

Website

http://www.coolepark.ie/

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