Killykeen Forest Park

The beautiful Killykeen Forest Park surrounds the lake and islands of Lough Oughter. A number of quiet trails though the forest offer a glimpse into the variety of wildlife that inhabit the area. These range from 1.5 km to 2.8km.

The main tree species that grow in Killykeen Forest Park are Norway and Sitka Spruce. Other areas of mixed woodlands include oak, ash, birch, alder, beech and sycamore trees.

Oak Tree

Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta

Oak Tree - Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta

Ash Trees

Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta

Ash Trees - Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta

Alder Tree

Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta

Alder Tree - Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta

Beech Tree

Beech Tree -

Sycamore

The Sycamore is a non-native, deciduous tree

Sycamore -

This variety of tree species makes the forest an attractive habitat for a huge range of bird life e.g. herons, moorhens, cormorants, mallards, kingfishers and great crested grebes.

A host of other wildlife occupy the forest floor, such as stoats, badgers, rabbits, hedgehogs, grey squirrels and more.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Kingfisher - Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Mallard Duck with ducklings

Mallard duck with ducklings.

Copyright Mike Brown

Mallard Duck with ducklings - Copyright Mike Brown

Badger

Badger

Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Badger - Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Rabbit

Rabbit -

Hedgehog

Hedgehog -

Killykeen Forest Park is also home to an Iron Age ring fort and Clogh Oughter Castle . This was the 13^th century de Lacy Castle , later claimed by the O’Reilly chieftains of the area.

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