Study to establish the extent, location of eskers
and associated habitats in Co. Westmeath:
Phase 2
An Action of the Westmeath Heritage Plan
Mary Tubridy and Robert Meehan
Mary Tubridy and Associates October 2006
Westmeath Esker Study 2006
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
5
Summary
6
1 Introduction
1.1 The brief
1.2 Background
1.2.1 Origin of eskers
1.2.2 Geodiversity
1.2.3 Biodiversity
1.2.4 Environmental education
and special interest tourism
1.2.5 Local history
1.2.6 Protection and management
1.3 Priorities for management and research
2 Methodology
2.1 Locating eskers by desk research
2.2 Ancillary data
2.3 Consultations
2.4 Fieldwork
2.4.1 Geodiversity
2.4.2 Biodivesity
2.4.3 Quarrying
2.5 Data recording and management
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16
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22
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3 Results
3.1 Esker systems in Westmeath
3.2 Esker geodiversity
3.3 Evaluation of geodiversity
3.4 Biodiversity
3.4.1 Introduction
3.4.2 Esker habitats
3.4.3 Evaluation of the biodiversity value
of esker systems
3.5 Evaluation of geodiversity
and biodiversity value of esker systems
3.6 Conclusions
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48
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66
4 Management for sustainable development
4.1 Management issues
4.1.1 Quarrying
4.1.2 Awareness of eskers and their values
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4.1.3 Roads
4.1.4 Housing development
4.1.5 Agriculture and forestry
4.2 Management guidelines
4.2.1 Partnership approach
4.2.2 Formal recognition of esker heritage
nationally and locally
4.2.3 Managing change
4.2.4 Improving public awareness of esker heritage
5 Conclusions
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Appendix 1
Characteristics of other sand and gravel deposits
Appendix 2
Soils associated with eskers
Appendix 3
Grasslands on eskers
Appendix 4
Mapping eskers by the FIPS/EPA project
Appendix 5
Information leaflet distributed to farmers and householders in 2006
Appendix 6
Checklist of esker plants
Appendix 7
Summary accounts of all esker systems
Figures
Fig. 1.1 The eskers of Ireland
Fig. 1.2 Diagrammatic representation of esker formation
Fig. 3.1 The eskers of County Westmeath
Fig. 4.1 Glaciofluvial sands and gravels throughout County Westmeath
Plates
Plate 1 Rahugh Ridge esker segment
Plate 2 Galeopsis angustifolia
Plate 3 Complex esker morphology comprising anastomosing segments at
Killnalugh, just north of Streamstown (esker segment 16f)
Plate 4 The Rahugh Ridge at Rahugh
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Plates (contd)
Plate 5 GA1 on the Streamstown Esker 16j at Killeenerk
Plate 6 Calcareous grassland on the Finnea Murrens Esker (Segment 1q) at
Tonyowen
Plate 7 Carline thistle, a plant of open esker grassland and disturbed areas
Plate 8 Wet grassland on the Mount Temple esker (35i)
Plate 9 This esker segment (16a) within the bog is indicated by the presence of a
mature ash and has a mixture of habitats (HD1, PB4 and ED3)
Plate 10 Small area of open water on the Crags Esker (2j) near Ballinlig
Plate 11 Semi-natural oak ash hazel woodland at Corcullantry on the Clonmellon
Esker (4m)
Plate 12 Planted woodland in Coolure Demesne on the Castlepollard-Delvin
Esker (3d)
Plate 13 Scrub on steep slope (Finnea Murrens Esker 1r)
Plate 14 Dense hedgerows are typically found beside roads on eskers
Plate 15 Calcareous grassland colonising an old pit (Crags esker 2m)
Plate 16 Small pit on the Rosemount Esker (esker segment 20j)
Plate 17 Quarry at Ballinlig (esker 2m) threatens semi-natural woodland
Plate 18 Well beside the Baskin Ballinderry Esker (esker segment 25c).
Tables
Table 3.1 Designated areas on Westmeath eskers
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath
Table 3.3 Area covered by esker systems
Table 3.4 Number of segments associated with esker systems
Table 3. 5 Geodiversity evaluation of esker systems
Table 3.6 Fieldwork at esker systems in Westmeath
Table 3.7 Habitats on eskers
Table 3.8 Biodiversity ranking of eskers
Table 3.9 Eskers ranked by natural heritage value
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance provided by the following
individuals and organisations:
•
The landowners who allowed their land to be surveyed and answered
questions about farming and land use.
•
The County Council Information Technology section kindly prepared
maps and photos for use in fieldwork.
•
Con Breen, plant recorder for County Westmeath for the Botanical Society
of the British Isles who provided BSBI records for eskers surveyed.
•
Bernie Guest for her support, practical help and patience!
•
Funding for this study was provided by Westmeath County Council and
the Heritage Council.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Summary
This report contains the results of two studies carried out on eskers in the county
in 2005 and 2006. The 2005 survey report (Meehan and Tubridy, 2005) contained
details of the geodiversity and biodiversity interest of eskers within that part of
Westmeath contained within the Discovery Map Sheet No. 48; an evaluation the
relative value of the eskers in that area and a discussion of management
priorities.
The 2006 survey applied the same approach and methodology to the remaining
eskers in the county. This report incorporates the results of the 2005 to allow for
an overall evaluation of all esker systems.
Research involved desk research, fieldwork by ecologists and a geomorphologist
and consultations.
Several parts of the eskers in Westmeath are designated for their biodiversity
value. The Geological Heritage Programme a partnership between the Geological
Survey and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has recommended that four
entire esker systems in Westmeath be designated as geological Natural Heritage
Areas.
However until 2005 no detailed fieldwork had been carried out in Westmeath to
characterise the geodiversity and biodiversity of these features which are
regarded as valuable commercial assets by the mining industry.
The examination of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Soils and Subsoils
Geographic Information System (previously Forest Inventory Parcel System (or
FIPS) allowed for the initial identification of esker segments. Interpretation was
carried out to identify esker systems (collections of segments with similar process
history). Field work by Dr Robbie Meehan followed to ground truth many of
these segments and examine the composition of individual esker segments.
An assessment of the quality, current management and management priorities
for these eskers was carried out through fieldwork at the esker systems,
examination of aerial photographs, written reports including Environmental
Impact Statements and consultations with landowners, managers and members
of Westmeath Heritage Forum. A brief review of the literature on esker
biodiversity and geomorphology was undertaken before fieldwork commenced.
Between May and September in 2005 and 2006 the majority of esker systems
were examined directly to assess their biodiversity and geodiversity value.
During fieldwork to characterize biodiversity habitats were mapped , plant
species lists were compiled and notes and photographs were taken of interesting
features. Methodologies generally followed those developed by the Heritage
Council. In the field the 1:50,000 maps (on which the eskers were outlined) were
used to roughly locate the individual segments. Habitat mapping at esker
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segments was carried out on vector maps, assisted by the latest edition Ordnance
Survey map and aerial photograph on which the esker outline was
superimposed. Landowners were contacted before surveying their land. An
information leaflet was given to all landowners and local residents encountered
by the surveyor.
Particular efforts were made to locate grasslands which had potential as the
priority habitat type identified under the EU Habitats Directive using species as
indicators. The selection of species was based on a review of the literature on
such grasslands, the description in the EU Habitats Manual and field experience,
The principal results of the esker survey are:
Eskers cover .91% of the land area of Westmeath. There are 323 esker segments
which belong to 46 esker systems. Esker systems comprise segments which share
the same process history.
Some of these esker systems are shared with neighbouring counties such as the
esker in the south of the county the Derrygolan esker which is also found in
Offaly and Galway. The majority of the esker systems are small, covering less
than 5ha and contain less than 5 segments. The largest individual esker covers
1.5 square km and the smallest esker segment covers 182 square metres. There
are exceptionally large systems covering >50ha. The largest of the esker systems
covers 245 ha; the Mount Temple esker and runs from Athlone to east of Moate.
Fieldwork revealed that habitat diversity is high. Thirty seven habitats are found.
This is considerably more than that found in similar surveys of eskers in Laois
and Offaly. While the commonest habitat is improved grassland most esker
segments still retain some areas of semi natural calcareous grassland and many
were found to support the priority type species rich calcareous grassland. Even
in areas dominated by improved grassland hedgerows were rich in species.
Semi natural habitats such as scrub, various types of woodland were common.
Esker hedgerows and grassy verges of roadsides were particularly species rich.
Many of the fields with improved grassland had higher species diversity than
that generally associated with intensively managed land. Seasonally flooded
wetlands adjacent to some esker sections or between them complemented esker
biodiversity in many areas. The rarer species, birds nest orchid and bee orchid
were found during fieldwork.
Four of the esker systems have already been proposed for designation (by the
joint GSI/NPWS project) as geological NHA’s. These are the Split Hills/Long
Hill esker on which the c SAC is situated, the Clara/Clonmacnoise esker, the
Rahugh Ridge esker and the Finnea-Murren’s Esker. This study provides a
ranking of all eskers in the county on the basis of their geodiversity and
biodiversity. While it confirmed the importance of these systems it also revealed
that there are many other systems of high value which deserve recognition.
These include the Mount Temple esker, the esker north of Horseleap, Long Hill
esker and the Streamstown esker. These eskers are of national importance while
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the remaining eskers were ranked as being of regional or local importance. While
all esker segments are of geodiversity value certain areas on segments are
particularly important for biodiversity. Habitat maps produced for the eskers
surveyed provide details of the location of areas of higher biodiversity value
interest.
Consultations revealed that there is considerable interest in knowing where esker
segments occur. Among landowners and the general public there is a low level of
awareness of the geomorphological and biodiversity values associated with
eskers. In contrast there was a high level of awareness of the importance of esker
systems as transport routes, as sources of sand and gravel or sites of old
woodland.
While intensive reclamation of esker land is not happening at the rate at which it
occurred in the mid to late 20th century farmers are still interested in removing
scrub, increasing grassland yields through high inputs of fertilizer and where
land has been left unmanaged for a considerable period, clearing scrub or
planting up of eskers. Many new plantations, of mixed conifers and broadleaved
trees have been established on eskers particularly in the north of the county and
it would appear that afforestation is considered an attractive option for some
farmers. Some esker farmers are in REPS. Their farms are distinguished by very
good boundary fences and an interest in carrying out works to enhance
biodiversity.
Quarrying has occurred on the majority of the esker systems within the study
area. Approximately seventy six pits were identified in the eskers of which ten
appeared to be large active operations. The majority of pits are small and
inactive. There is evidence for increasing pressure to exploit esker sand and
gravel resulting from the development of the M6. A new quarry has just been
given planning permission on the Rahugh Ridge esker to provide hard core for
this road.
Damage to esker sediments is also occurring through housebuilding where this is
associated with the removal of sediments to provide a flatter surface for a house
or garden or removal of a hedgerow to improve sightlines. At present planning
applications for houses or quarries are not informed by the location of eskers.
The final section of the report contains guidelines to support sustainable
development.
Nationally the principal priority should be to designate geological NHA’s and
improve the quality of EIS’s associated with road developments so that they
contain an assessment of the impact of aggregate extraction associated with their
development. All assessments of small areas of biodiversity interest on eskers
should take into account the biodiversity and geodiversity interest of the entire
esker system.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Locally the priority should be to increase local awareness of esker heritage and
develop appropriate policies in the context of local plans to support sustainable
development.
Publicity should be given to the results of the esker study and discussions should
be initiated with the Heritage Forum to agree a programme of actions on esker
heritage. Other groups outside the Heritage Forum should be encouraged to be
involved through the establishment of working groups on particular topics such
as environmental education, special interest tourism and farming.
The local authority should list esker systems of international and national
importance in its plans. Statements in the Development Plan should encourage
exploitation of other types of sand and gravel deposits in Westmeath all of which
are more common than eskers. Quarry registration should be used to limit esker
quarries and set conditions which will allow abandoned pits to become areas of
high biodiversity value.
There are some obvious opportunities to provide for increased access to eskers to
support local amenities and environmental education. Interpretation at the Split
Hills/Long Hill esker could be developed further. The routes of many eskers
would be suitable as walking or cycling routes. Eskers within Athlone should be
publicised to its citizens. There is particular potential to develop a Geopark
within this area, an internationally recognised designation which is promoted by
UNESCO.
While the ideal vehicle for implementation all the initiatives suggested by this
study is a Local Biodiversity Action Plan, this should not prevent the Forum
supporting actions which will hasten progress towards preparing and
successfully implementing a Local Biodiversity Action Plan
The aspiration of maintaining esker heritage as a source of enjoyment and
inspiration for successive generations requires co-ordinated actions. The
Heritage Forum is the obvious forum to catalyse these actions.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
1 Introduction
1.1 The brief
The brief for both studies in 2005 and 2006 requested that they address similar
tasks within different parts of Westmeath:
•
Describe the nature, extent and condition of eskers
•
Recommend actions for future management of these resources
particularly by the local authority.
According to the detailed brief the study should include:
•
Desk based research and consultations
•
Fieldwork to assess the condition of eskers, associated habitat types and
issues associated with their management. Fieldwork to include habitat
mapping to Level 3 of the Guide to Habitats (Fossitt 2000) as per The
Heritage Council Draft Guidelines.
•
Compilation of an issues paper on threats to conservation status of eskers
and their associated habitats.
•
Drafting of recommendations with regard to land use policy with respect
to identified esker networks for incorporation into the County
Development Plan.
•
Presentation of findings to Westmeath County Council.
Research on eskers fulfils an aim of the County Development Plan and the
County Westmeath Heritage Plan 2002-2006.
1. 2 Background
1.2.1 Origin of eskers
The term “esker” is an English rendering of the Gaelic word eiscir which means
ridge. The Irish origin of the word is not surprising given the abundance of
eskers in the Midlands of Ireland (Fig. 1.1).
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Figure 1.1: The eskers of Ireland. Mapped photogrammetrically as part of EPA
Soil and Subsoil mapping project (formerly FIPS-IFS, Teagasc, Kinsealy, 19982005).
Eskers have been reported from all over the mid-latitudes, and are particularly
common in Ireland, Britain, Scandinavia (where they are termed osar), Canada,
Alaska, the northeastern U.S., and Patagonia. The most extensive esker
formations in the world are found in Canada, in the Districts of Keewatin in
Nunavut, Mackenzie in the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, northern Quebec
and Labrador; some of these eskers are up to 800 kilometres long. In Ireland
eskers range from a few tens of metres to over a hundred kilometres in unbroken
length.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Eskers are one of several types of landforms associated with deglaciation. They
formed in water filled tunnels beneath, above and within the ice (Fig. 1. 2).
Fig. 1.2. Diagrammatic representation of esker formation
Just as rivers on land carry and deposit sediment, meltwater that flows in the
openings beneath, above and within a glacier also carries and deposits sediment.
This sediment was collected by the ice which at one time covered the entire area
of Westmeath and was at least 260m thick; it may have been as much as 700m
thick. As the ice flowed over the ground loose debris became incorporated into
its base and was also sheared up into the ice sheet itself.
Tunnels near the base of retreating glaciers filled with transported sands and
gravels. Once the ice melted they remained as sandy or gravelly ridges. The ice
that formed the sides and roof of the tunnel disappeared, leaving behind sand
and gravel deposits in ridges with long, winding, sinuous shapes (Plate 1).
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Plate 1 The sinuous form of the wooded Rahugh Ridge esker (46a) reflects its
origin as a tunnel under the ice.
Depending on the pattern of the glacier's inner tunnels, eskers can interconnect
in a pattern of central ridges and tributaries, just like a branching river system.
Large esker systems often radiate out from a central, core ridge, like the spokes
of a wheel; this pattern therefore reflects large, once-used, complex river systems
comprised of major and tributary eskers which drained the last ice sheet in that
area, and trends generally in the main direction of late-glacial ice flows.
Internally, eskers are composed of a wide variety of materials, ranging from fine
lacustrine silts and clays, sorted silts, sands, gravels and large boulders. The
commonly held notion that eskers are formed completely of sand and gravel is
erroneous, with sand and gravel beds often having up to 5%-10% silt and clay,
large rocks, clayey or silty diamict units often forming considerable portions of
single ridges.
A general genetic classification of eskers proposed by Warren and Ashley (1994)
recognised six basic types of esker; four formed parallel to ice flow, and two
formed perpendicular to ice flow. Those parallel to ice flow were:
(a) tunnel fills, formed in conduits under and within ice, and exposed following
ice melting;
(b) ice channel fills, deposited in open, ice walled channels (with no roof)
between glacier bodies;
(c) segmented tunnel fills, formed during pulsed glacier retreat; and
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(d) beaded eskers, consisting of a line of successive hills of sand and gravel
deposited during pulsed glacier retreat, under water ponded at the edge of the
ice, and oriented parallel to ice flow.
The two types of long, sinuous ridge, composed of sands and gravels that are
formed perpendicular to ice flow were:
(e) linear ridges formed of deltas and fans deposited under lake water at the edge
of the ice;
(f) linear ridges formed of fans deposited at the mouth of open tunnels
“subaerially” at the edge of the ice.
This interpretation has been changed as a result of fieldwork in areas including
Westmeath. Technically, the ‘eskers’ formed perpendicular to ice flow should be
termed ‘moraines’, as they define an ice margin rather than a subglacial tunnel
(Warren and Ashley, 1994). The initial description of the feature from the 1800’s
focussed on the fact that it was a ‘ridge of sand and gravel’, and the term was
purely descriptive, whereas in modern times with more scientific geological
interpretation used in classification, eskers exclude ‘ridges of sand and gravel’
formed perpendicular to an ice margin. Only is the feature is sinuous, highsided and was formed in an ice walled channel should it be termed an esker. This
is the basis upon which we set about to classify eskers in Westmeath.
As eskers can be confused with other features containing sand and gravel such as
moraines, deltas, outwash fans and kames which were also formed during
deglaciation a description of these glacial features is contained in Appendix 1.
1.2.2 Geodiversity
Eskers provide a visible record of the glaciers last actions by revealing a footprint
of the drainage system at the base of the ice. The volumes of sediment show the
power of the meltwater and their internal structure (bedding and size of clasts)
provides a detailed record of fluctuating meltwater flows over time.
Although there are other landscape features associated with glaciation; because
of their size, distribution and importance, both geologically and economically,
they are the most readily identifiable signs of the last glaciation in the landscape
of the Midlands.
To geomorphologists the basic unit of study is the esker system as this describes
a complete drainage system and all the deposits resulting from it. Esker systems
can comprise one or more individual segments which share a similar history.
Eskers are directly important to the local economy. Sand and gravel extraction
forms one of the areas biggest primary industries. They are important sources of
groundwater. Such sources provides much of the Midlands with its domestic,
agricultural and industrial water supply.
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Their primary economic use for many thousands of years has been for farming.
Esker soils exhibit many variations which affect their value for farming and
biodiversity (see Appendix 2).
The geodiversity interest of eskers is recognized nationally by a programme
which has been put in place to identify areas which could be designated as
geological Natural Heritage Areas under the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000. This
initiative is known as the Irish Geological Heritage Programme (IGH) and it is a
partnership between The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the National
Parks and Wildlife Service of The Department of Environment, Heritage and
Local Government. It aims to identify, document, and protect the wealth of
geological heritage in the Republic of Ireland and conserve it and promote its
value to landowners and the public. The GSI has been providing scientific
appraisal and interpretative advice on geological and geomorphological sites.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of The Department of Environment,
Heritage and Local Government has the responsibility of designating and
managing sites with appropriate advice from the GSI.
Esker heritage has been considered and evaluated within an overall framework
of the Quaternary theme by a panel of experts. This process has led to the
drawing up of an indicative list of sites which are worthy of more detailed
assessment within the relevant themes. Sites are listed as being of either
international/national or county importance. Those in the former category are
recommended as NHA’s and the latter are suggested for listing as County Sites
of Geological Interest in County Development Plans.
In Westmeath, the esker systems at Finnea/Murrens near Ballymanus, the Split
Hill/ Long Hill esker, the Clara/Clonmacnoise; and the Rahugh esker systems in
the south of the county, have been identified as sites of at least National, and
possibly International, importance which should qualify as pNHA’s. Currently,
the IGH 7 theme recognizes that the eastern extreme of the Rahugh Esker is
probably of international importance, as this is the zone of convergence of three
distinct esker systems, which ‘disappear’ at this point beneath an extensive bog.
Other important IGH 7 sites in Westmeath include the kame and kettle
topography at Tyrellspass, and the crag-and-tails around Fore.
While the IGHP has communicated the list of proposed sites to the National
Parks and Wildlife Service in the DOEHLG no action has as yet been taken. As a
result no detailed fieldwork has been commissioned to verify these sites and as
the process of designation has not commenced there is no evidence for official
recognition of their geodiversity interest. While initiatives seem stalled nationally
counties such as Offaly, Clare and Westmeath have carried out studies on their
geological heritage in the context of informing County Development Plans and
fulfilling actions identified under their county’s Heritage Plans.
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1.2.3 Biodiversity
The eskers which were formed after the last glaciation about 20,000 years ago
would have originally been covered in woodland. Over the years most, if not
all, of this woodland would have been cleared and replaced by intensively
managed grassland.
Due to their steep slopes and shallow soil, small patches of woodland and
unimproved esker grassland have survived on certain sections. Where land is
abandoned or managed less intensively scrub and semi-natural vegetation
return. The presence of areas on eskers which still support semi-natural habitats
makes these areas of high value for biodiversity.
Habitat mapping provides a means of recording the status of biodiversity on
eskers. A habitat such as a woodland, scrub or grassland is a defined area which
supports a particular collection of plants and animals. All species of flora and
fauna are either associated generally or particularly with habitats. By mapping
habitats in an area information can be gathered about almost all the important
plants and animals, common or rare which use it. A methodology which has
been promoted by the Heritage Council allows for the identification and
mapping of habitats in the field (Fossitt, 2000). The list of habitats in this
classification system includes 89 types associated with the terrestrial including
freshwater environment, including four different grassland types and seventeen
woodland types.
Identification of habitats is particularly important to the implementation of the
most important piece of wildlife legislation which applies in Ireland; the
Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The Habitats Directive was brought into force in
Ireland through the European Communities (Natural Habitats) regulations 1997
(SI /97/094) and The Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (S.I. 600 of
2001) made under the Planning and Development Act, 2000.
Under this Directive there is a legal obligation on Ireland to protect good
examples of habitats, so called priority and non priority types, and species listed
in annexes to this directive. Among the priority habitats is a type of grassland
found on eskers “semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on
calcareous substrates (Festuca-Bromotea) (*important orchid sites) (6210)” This
grassland is characterized by a high diversity of species, including orchids which
are rare in other grasslands.
While the emphasis in the Habitats Directive is on specific habitats and species it
also recognises the need for management of the wider countryside. The preamble
recognises that “land use planning and development policies should encourage
the management of features of the landscape which are of major importance to
flora and fauna”.
The Habitats Directive states (Article 3) that there are obligations on member
states to maintain features of the landscape, which will improve the ecological
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coherence of the Natura 2000 network. The obligations and the type of features
are highlighted in Article 10 as follows:
“Such features are those which by virtue of their linear and continuous structure
(such as rivers with their banks or traditional systems for marking field
boundaries (i.e. hedgerows) or their function as stepping stones (such as ponds or
small woods) are essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of
wild species.”
Eskers are obvious linking features which a spatial location for similar type
habitats and thus dispersion of species between them.
Eskers are known for several rare plants which are found on shallow calcareous
soils. The Red Data Book for plants (Curtis and McGough, 1988) singles out
esker habitats and lists the following species as rare on eskers Acinos arvensis,
Erigeron acer, Galeopsis angustifolia and Cardamine impatiens. Records assembled by
the Botanical Society of the British Isles list rare species and their locations on
esker sites in Westmeath (Con Breen, BSBI, pers. comm.)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service data base and site files for designated
sites record the presence of the following protected plant species (under SI NO.
94 of 1999) on eskers in the county: Galeopsis angustifolia, Cardamine impatiens
and Acinos arvensis;and the following Red Data Book species ((Curtis and
McGough, 1988): Erigeron acer
Plate 2 Galeopsis angustifolia
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Several sections of esker systems in Westmeath are recognized for their
biodiversity value (Table 3.1).
Table 3.1 Designated sites on Westmeath eskers
Designated site
Derrygolan
Esker ( No. 896)
Split Hills/Long
Hill Esker
(No. 1831)
Status
NHA
Royal Canal (No.
2013)
NHA
River Boyne and
Blackwater
(No. 2299)
Lough Naneagh
(No. 1814)
Lough Ree (No.
440)
Rahugh Ridge
(Kiltober Esker)
No. 918
Ballynagarbry
(No. 001713)
SAC
SAC
Features of Interest
Site of priority grassland. Rare orchid found
when surveyed in 1991
Designated initially for its woodland. Further
survey this year (Marie Dromey NPWS) may
confirm presence of priority grassland. Site of
two protected plants.
Habitats associated with canal include species
rich calcareous grassland where it cuts into the
esker (Dromey et al, 1991)
Designated for presence of salmon, wetland
plant communities, otter and rare species.
NHA
Presence of lake and semi-natural woodland on
nearby esker
NHA/SAC Important for wildfowl and wetland habitats.
NHA
Woodland of high value. Boundary extended
to include quarry where protected plant found
NHA
Grassland of high value first identified by
Praeger in 1899. Site now generally improved
Note: A designated site known as Murphy’s Bridge Esker is not on an esker.
Habitat maps have been produced for one of these sites the Split Hills/Long Hill
esker as part of research to inform the preparation of the management plan.
Much of the focus of research on esker biodiversity and protection has been on
woodlands (Cross, 1992) as they are typically dominated by native species,
particularly ash and hazel, and they have a long history of scrub/woodland
cover.
Less attention has been paid to grasslands or other aspects of biodiversity.
Habitat mapping can identify grasslands of biodiveristy importance if particular
attention is paid to the presence/absence of certain indicator species when
mapping grassland habitats. A system for identifying dry calcareous and neutral
grassland and the priority type was developed in 2005, based on a review of the
literature and some pilot fieldwork. A survey of eskers in Offaly (Tubridy and
Meehan, 2006) followed the same approach. For background information and
further details see Appendix 3.
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Since 2005 NPWS has commissioned surveys of SAC’s to identify areas with
priority calcareous grasslands (Marie Dromey, pers.comm.). Similar to this study
their methodology relies on the presence or absence of certain key species.
Survey work has taken place in 2006 to examine the designated area on the Split
Hills/Long Hill esker to identify dry calcareous grasslands and particularly the
priority type of grassland.
1. 2. 4 Environmental education and special interest tourism
Eskers are an educational resource for geomorphologists and ecologists. This is
reflected in the fact that many specialists from Ireland and abroad visit the
Midlands and Wesmeath particularly to study eskers. Many geology and
geography departments from Irish Universities, as well as Universities abroad
(e.g. University of Sheffield, University of Amsterdam, University of Stockholm),
use the eskers as outdoor laboratories on a regular basis. Students are regularly
brought to accessible esker sites (usually quarries at road cuttings) or similar
suitable viewing points to inspect esker structure, flora and fauna.
The landscape importance of eskers and their obvious interpretative potential
has resulted in a suggestion to designate a part of the Midlands with a dense
collection of eskers as a GEOPARK or/and a particular area in Offaly which
contains part of the Clara/Clonmacnoise Esker a World Heritage Site. Both of
these initiatives are sponsored by UNESCO.
There are two GEOPARKS in Ireland; the Copper Coast Geopark in Waterford
and the Marble Arch Geopark in Fermanagh. Clare County Council with the
assistance of the Geological Survey have recently made an application to
recognise the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher as a GEOPARK (Congella McGuire,
Heritage Officer, pers. comm.)
1.2.5 Local history
The historical interest of eskers focusses on their value as territorial boundaries
and ancient roads, particularly as part of the legendary ‘esker riada’, or Slí Mhór
(‘Great Road’) which acted as a routeway running from east to west through
counties Dublin, Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly and Galway. Historical accounts tell
of pilgrims traveling the esker to Tara, and the Rath of Feerwore near Athenry
and even Newgrange (during the Neolithic period). A recent television series
and book (Geissel, 2006) has suggested that the Derrygolan/or Clara esker in
south Westmeath forms part of the Slí Mhór.
Mythological Celtic sun gods are said to have used the line of the Esker Riada as
the arena for their daily battles; and the relative transients of their power
struggles was displayed in terms of various strengths of light and shade along
the ridge (Cross and Slover 1996). Again according to legend, a battle at
Maynooth around the year 123 AD led to the subdivision of Ireland politically
into two parts, north and south of the esker riada. These were known as "Leath
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Cuinn" (Conn's Half), and "Leath Mogha”(Mogha's Half). Medieval Latin texts
refer to a natural mound which transversed Ireland as "Via Magna".
While the ‘esker riada’ of legend consisted of one continuous raised ridge the
eskers in the Midlands are mostly discontinuous. Therefore the road must have
used several esker systems all of which had the common characteristic of
providing dry, natural routeways.
The identification of whether features were or were not part of the legendary
feature is very difficult. Esker features would have changed in transport
importance in a regional sense over time, and what was an important route
locally at any one time in one area may not have seemed to important to those
from outside that locality. Only the longest of esker systems, have probably
remained consistently important through time on a regional or national level.
Therefore roads which are now present on the summit of eskers may represent
the older road network in the Midlands.
Local tradition states the Derrygolan/Clara Esker constituted part of the Eiscir
Riada that extends into County Offaly to the Shannon at Clonmacnoise. Evidence
lies in the fact that it extends more or less to Clonmacnoise and a section of the
esker to the east of the monastic settlement is still known as the 'Pilgrim's Road'.
Many townland names derive from eiscir such as Moylisker, near Tyrellespass,
Lochan Eiscira (the former name of Gaddaghstown near Ballingore),
Knockycosker, Rathaniska and Tullanisky (two of which host eskers).
1.2.6 Protection and management
At the national level priority has been given to the recognition and protection of
sections of eskers which support rare habitats or species (within NHA’ s and
SAC’s). While statutory designations ensure that managers and local authorities
must consider the impact of development on these sites designations are
confined to a few areas and there is no protection or recognition for the
biodiversity value of eskers outside designated areas.
These studies in Westmeath and similar work carried out in Laois (Muyllaert and
Tubridy, 2005) and Offaly (Tubridy and Meehan, 2006) have the objective of
providing comprehensive accounts of esker geodiversity and biodiversity to
inform local and national policies.
National priorities will be addressed by this study as it will assist in the
characterization of esker systems already proposed for designation as geological
NHA’s by the IGHP programme. It may lead to the identification of other areas
which should be given similar recognition.
Support will be given to local policies as it will provide comprehensive accounts
of valuable features highlighted by local development and heritage plans.
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The Westmeath Development Plan contains policy statements which seek to
safeguard sites which have been designated for biodiversity such as SAC’s SPA’s
and NHA’s, some of which are on eskers. It refers to the need for an EIS on
developments which may affect SAC’s (Natural Heritage Regulations ) and to
refer all developments which might affect designated sites to the National Parks
and Wildlife Service.
It refers specifically to the value of the county’s geological heritage and its eskers
when it states that there may be a need to identify geological sites for their
geological interest.
The County Development Plan 2002-2006 ( Section 2.9.2.3) states:
“The Council recognises the importance of the County’s geological and
geomorphological systems, sites and features, in particular the moraines and
eskers of the County. The need of the building industry to utilise aggregate
deposits is also acknowledged. It is recognized that exploitation of deposits can
have a seriously damaging environmental impact on the scientific, recreational
and amenity value of the County’s natural landscape, and is a sustainable
development issue.
It is proposed to undertake a study of the eskers and moraines of the County to
ensure that extractions which would result in undue damage to areas of scenic
landscape or recreational potential or of scientific importance, be it geological,
botanical, zoological or other, shall not be permitted”
The local Heritage Plan also refers to the value of eskers.
Objective 6.10 of the Heritage Plan is to establish the nature, extent and location
of eskers, bogs, fens and cutaways in the County inform policy development.
Through the planning system there are controls in place to regulate the use of
eskers for quarrying and other forms of development.
A process is now underway to examine the operations of all quarries which have
been operating on eskers, some of which may have been developed without
planning permission. This process implements a section of the Planning and
Development Act. To facilitate the process guidelines have been produced for
local authorities (DOEHLG 2004). These guidelines lay down high standards for
quarry operations. They stress the need to protect all designated sites including
NHA’s. Under section 3.6 it specifically refers to eskers
“While Quaternary landscape features such as eskers and moraines comprise
valuable sediments, they also represent non-renewable records of past climate
and environmental change, and should be afforded some protection”
The registration process offers particular potential to all local authorities to
review all quarry operations within the county. Such decisions require precise
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
information on the location and value of the esker sites being quarried. This
study should provide such information.
1. 3 Priorities for management and research
Nationally the priorities are
1) Designation of esker NHA’s by the National Parks and Wildlife Service within
the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government
2) Research on grassland ecology to develop a better understanding of the
impacts of management on grassland.
Locally the priorities are:
1)Provision of an accurate map showing the location of esker systems in the
county which will inform local authority planning and the system of quarry
registration
2) Assessment of eskers to discover their potential to support semi-natural
habitats particularly the priority habitat orchid rich grassland
3) Development of a ranking system which will combine information on their
geodiversity and biodiversity values.
4) Provision of guidelines for sustainable development which are relevant to the
main development sectors (agriculture, forestry, and quarrying)
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2 Methodology
2.1 Locating esker segments by desk research
Esker systems were characterised using the EPA Soils and Subsoils GIS
(previously Forest Inventory Parcel System (or FIPS) and fieldwork. Esker
mapping was produced as part of a project initiated by the Forest Service of the
Department of Agriculture and Food (FIPS-IFS Project, 1998-2001), and further
funded by the Department of Environment and Local Government and managed
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Soil and Subsoil Mapping Project,
2002-2005). The results of this mapping are freely available (in digital form) to
local authorities and researchers. Appendix 4 contains an account of the
methodology used by FIPS/EPA to identify eskers.
2.2 Ancillary data
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) files on designated areas on the
eskers were consulted. Information contained in the NPWS data base on rare
species was also accessed. The Westmeath county recorder of the Botanical
Society of the British Isles was asked for plant records. Relevant Environmental
Impact Studies for development proposals affecting eskers were sourced in
Westmeath.
2.3 Consultations
Consultations principally took place with landowners as permission was being
requested to survey their land. A leaflet providing information about the project
was distributed to libraries, local authority offices and to all landowners and
rural residents encountered during fieldwork (see Appendix 5 for 2006 version).
It time allowed landowners were asked for information on past and current land
management practices and their aspirations for further development.
2.4 Fieldwork
2.4.1 Geodiversity
The initial identification of esker segments remotely through FIPS/EPA was
checked by fieldwork. This involved travelling around the county to look at the
eskers, and surveying quarries, gravel pits, stream cuttings, drains, house
foundations, trenches, or any other cutting into the subsurface, to determine their
composition.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Where exposures existed, digital photographs were taken of the profile. Photos
are also taken of specific landforms and landscapes to serve as an accurate visual
record of the esker landscape that can be easily accessed and reviewed.
3.4.2 Biodiversity
Methodologies to identify habitats and characterise the biodiversity of eskers
followed procedures developed in 2005 (Tubridy and Meehan 2005) and
included certain modifications which had been suggested by a review of the
results of this study.
The location and identity of all esker segments were printed in outline on the
1:50,000 Discovery map
The esker outline was added to all maps and aerial photographs used in the field.
Maps and aerial photographs were produced at a scale of 1:5,000 for use in the
field. These maps were produced on an A4 page so that it was possible to insert
information about recorder, date and notes about features or species on the same
sheet.
Entire esker systems were examined.
Before land on the esker segment which comprised part of each system was
examined the possible location of certain habitats and areas of potential interest
were identified. Homogenous large dark green fields were identified as
(probable) improved grassland (GA1) of lesser priority for field examination.
Woodland and scrub which appeared to be present on older maps were
considered of higher priority for field examination.
Before starting fieldwork on an esker segment landowners were first located by
identifying the nearest farmhouse or other premises on aerial photos or maps.
They were appraised about the purpose of the survey, offered an information
leaflet and asked for permission to survey their land. If the landowner could not
be located, or if they refused permission their land was not surveyed unless it
was easily visible from an adjacent public road.
Once the fields on individual esker segments were identified habitats were
mapped on a field by field basis using the classification system in Fossitt (2000)
and following the Draft Habitat Mapping Guidelines (2005). The land was
surveyed by walking along the esker, through different areas such as grassland,
scrub or woodland and in some cases along the road where this followed the
esker. All habitats even those which occupied an area less than 50m X 50m were
mapped as small scale habitat diversity is common on eskers.
Target notes were taken as a means of compiling a record of species associated
with particular habitats or uncommon features. Photographs were taken of
features of interest and a range of habitats.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Priority type grassland was identified by examining the vegetation for the
presence of indicator species. A field of GS1 which had potential to be the
priority type was so identified if it contained six of the following species.
Grass and Sedge species
Helictotrichon pubescens
Briza media
Festuca rubra
Agrostis capillaris
Bromopsis erecta
Carex caryophyllea
Other Flowering Plants
Leontodon hispidus
Anthyllis vulneraria
Antennaria dioica
Lotus corniculatus
Blackstonia perfoliata
Origanum vulgare
Knautia arvensis
Succisa pratensis
Centaurea scabiosa
Daucus carota
Pimpinella saxifraga
Trifolium dubium
Centaurea erythraea
Gentianella amarella
Primula veris
Alchemilla xanthochlora
Linum catharticum
Pimpinella saxifraga
A field or area supporting any of the following rarities was also identified as
having potential as the priority habitat type :
Pilosella officinarum
Plathantera chlorantha
Carlina vulgaris
Ophrys apifera*
Orchis mascula
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Gymnadenia conopsea
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Trisetum flavescens
Danthonia decumbens
Koeleria macrantha
Orchis morio
Galeopsis angustifolia
Erigeron acer
Cardamine impatiens
2.4.3 Quarrying
As sites of pits (used and disused) are habitats they are indicated on maps as
either active quarries and mines (ED4) or various types of bare ground plus
vegetation such as ED1 (exposed sand, gravel and till), ED2 or ED3 (recolonising
bare ground where revegetation is occurring). The use of 2000 aerial
photography meant that the area occupied by active quarries was not mapped
accurately if considerable development had occurred since 2000.
2.5 Data recording and presentation
During fieldwork, a large amount of data was gathered. The species lists were
typed up in Word within one or two days of fieldwork. Photos were uploaded
immediately and titled by reference to esker segment and location shown on
field map. The rough maps were used to produce clean maps. Habitat maps
produced as a result of fieldwork in 2005 were colour coded using the Heritage
Council’s coding system. Maps produced in 2006 were marked up with the name
of the habitat.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
3 Results
3.1 Esker systems in Westmeath
The eskers in Westmeath are typical of the eskers found in the Midlands (Fig.3.1).
They include a northwest-southeast oriented system of parallel-trending eskers
which lies immediately south of the main drumlin belt (located in counties
Meath, Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford, Cavan, Mayo and Galway); and an
east-west oriented system which lies south of these, and is dendritic.
Figure 3.1 The eskers of County Westmeath. Mapped photogrammetrically as
part of EPA Soil and Subsoil mapping project (formerly FIPS-IFS, Teagasc,
Kinsealy, 1998-2005), and verified as part of the current project.
3.2 Esker geodiversity
Overall, there are 46 esker systems in Westmeath covering 1,681 hectares or 16.86
square kilometres, which is 0.91% of the area of the county (Table 3.2)
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Esker density is greater in Sheet 48 where eskers account for 1.51% of this sheet
area (926 hectares). Outside Sheet 48 eskers cover 0.61% of the area.
These esker systems comprise 323 individual esker segments. The largest of these
segments covers 1.47 square kilometres; the smallest esker segment covers 182
square metres.
Annotated Discovery maps (A3 Map foldouts numbers Figs.3.2-) show the
location of esker systems designated sites (pNHA’s and pSAC’s ) and pits.
For the purpose of this report eskers mapped in 2005 have been renumbered as
some of the esker systems have segments inside and outside Sheet 48. When
carrying out fieldwork in 2006, the number of the esker system from sheet 48 was
maintained, with the new letter code applied for the segments outside 48. For
example, the Mount Temple esker system (system number 2 in 2005 ) had 4
segments on that sheet … segments 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. Outside sheet 48, eight
segments forming part of this system occur, and were therefore labelled 2e, 2f,
2g, 2h, 2i, 2j, 2k and 2l.
When all of the eskers had been checked and mapped in the field, a new
numbering system was then applied to all of the eskers within Westmeath. They
were numbered from north to south and east to west. Therefore the Mount
Temple esker system became number 35 and the segments initially mapped in
the field as 2e,f, g,h,i, j,k,l became 2a, b,c,d,e,f,g,h. The new, final, numberings, as
well as the older numbering system (used in 2005) is in Table 3.2.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2. Esker systems in Westmeath
Esker segments surveyed in 2005 in green. Esker segments surveyed in 2006 in
black (bold).
Esker system
name
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
Finnea-Murrens
esker
1
95.15
23
‘The Crags’
esker
2
102.82
14
CastlepollardDelvin esker
3
75.68
21
Mary Tubridy and Associates
Segment
number in
2005 or/and
initially in
2006
46a
46b
46c
46d
46e
46f
46g
46h
46i
46j
46k
46l
46m
46n
46o
46p
46q
46r
46s
46t
46u
46v
46w
44a
44b
44c
44d
44e
44f
44g
44h
44i
44j
44k
44l
44m
44n
37a
37b
37c
37d
Final
Segment
number
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
1a
1b
1c
1d
1e
1f
1g
1h
1i
1j
1k
1l
1m
1n
1o
1p
1q
1r
1s
1t
1u
1v
1w
2a
2b
2c
2d
2e
2f
2g
2h
2i
2j
2k
2l
2m
2n
3a
3b
3c
3d
9.51
8.41
2.12
5.35
1.33
1.52
0.72
2.97
1.9
6.02
4.06
1.55
1.15
3.53
7.5
1.36
2.64
2.5
4.7
0.78
0.72
3.15
21.66
10.38
2.02
3.09
3.76
0.33
1.5
1.92
35.96
10.1
19.27
2.22
10.54
0.82
0.91
1.08
0.4
11.63
7.55
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Esker system
name
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
4
26.97
13
4.7
66.21
1
25
CastlepollardDelvin esker
(contd.)
Clonmellon
esker
Carnybrogan esker
Rathowen6
Cartonstown
esker
5
Mary Tubridy and Associates
Initial
individual
segment
notation
37e
37f
37g
37h
37i
37j
37k
37l
37m
37n
37o
37p
37q
37r
37s
37t
37u
45a
45b
45c
45d
45e
45f
45g
45h
45i
45j
45k
45l
45m
43a
35a
35b
35c
35d
35e
35f
35g
35h
35i
35j
Final
individual
segment
notation
3e
3f
3g
3h
3i
3j
3k
3l
3m
3n
3o
3p
3q
3r
3s
3t
3u
4a
4b
4c
4d
4e
4f
4g
4h
4i
4j
4k
4l
4m
5a
6a
6b
6c
6d
6e
6f
6g
6h
6i
6j
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
7.77
1.69
1.65
0.43
0.48
1.22
0.22
18.94
0.43
0.98
11.75
2.36
1.92
0.29
0.89
2.46
1.54
3
0.91
0.93
7.93
0.67
0.74
0.98
0.38
1.81
2.4
2.97
3.02
1.23
4.7
1.67
0.56
1.68
2.65
0.78
5.65
1.29
1.43
11.91
0.06
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Esker system
name
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
7
12.37
5
12.94
2
4.33
6.47
20.24
1
1
7
RathowenCartonstown
esker (contd.)
Cavestown
esker (1)
Cavestown
8
esker (2)
Cavestown esker (3)
Cavestown esker (4)
Clonarney11
Addinstown
esker
9
10
JohnstownBallyhealy
esker
12
31.82
8
Raharney esker
13
53.78
12
Mary Tubridy and Associates
Initial
individual
segment
notation
35k
35l
35m
35n
35o
35p
35q
34r
35s
35t
35u
35v
35w
35x
35y
42a
42b
42c
42d
42e
41a
41b
40a
39a
38a
38b
38c
38d
38e
38f
38g
36a
36b
36c
36d
36e
36f
36g
36h
34a
34b
Final
individual
segment
notation
6k
6l
6m
6n
6o
6p
6q
6r
6s
6t
6u
6v
6w
6x
6y
7a
7b
7c
7d
7e
8a
8b
9a
10a
11a
11b
11c
11d
11e
11f
11g
12a
12b
12c
12d
12e
12f
12g
12h
13a
13b
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
0.24
0.48
9.67
0.28
1.2
1.77
0.32
1.53
0.74
5.12
0.93
14.81
0.9
0.44
0.1
1.02
1.94
2.19
2.56
4.66
1.96
10.98
4.33
6.47
11.4
0.77
1.5
0.43
0.78
1.84
3.52
0.37
5.58
0.42
0.79
1.07
2.04
13.64
7.91
4.49
3.6
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Esker system
name
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
CastletownBallynagore
esker
14
61.17
13
Paslickstown
esker
(BallynacarrigyBallina esker)
15
38.05
11
Streamstown
esker
16
145.66
31
Raharney esker
(contd.)
Mary Tubridy and Associates
Initial
individual
segment
notation
34c
34d
34e
34f
34g
34h
34i
34j
34k
34l
19l
19m
19a
19b
19c
19d
19e
19f
19g
19h
19i
19j
19k
23b
23c
23d
23e
23f
23g
23h
23i
23j
23k
23a
17t
17u
17v
17w
17x
17y
17z
Final
individual
segment
notation
13c
13d
13e
13f
13g
13h
13i
13j
13k
13l
14a
14b
14c
14d
14e
14f
14g
14h
14i
14j
14k
14l
14m
15a
15b
15c
15d
15e
15f
15g
15h
15i
15j
15k
16a
16b
16c
16d
16e
16f
16g
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
1.55
3.42
7.92
6.65
1.47
0.58
0.76
3.85
14.7
4.79
0.84
3.37
1.08
0.89
1.24
0.56
17.64
1.75
28.43
1.49
1.69
0.89
1.30
2.35
3.56
1.2
0.57
3.33
11.96
4.81
5.1
1.9
2.69
0.58
0.16
2.28
0.12
0.71
0.17
3.04
5.26
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
Uisneach esker
17
4.64
4
Killucan esker
18
17.95
5
Lakes-Scroghil
esker
19
10.82
9
Esker system
name
Streamstown
esker (contd.)
Mary Tubridy and Associates
Initial
individual
segment
notation
17
17
17
17
17
17a
17b
17c
17d
17e
17f
17g
17h
17i
17j
17k
17l
17m
17n
17o
17p
17q
17r
17s
18c
18d
18a
18b
33a
33b
33c
33d
33e
30a
30b
30c
30d
30e
30f
30g
Final
individual
segment
notation
16h
16i
16j
16k
16l
16m
16n
16o
16p
16q
16r
16s
16t
16u
16v
16w
16x
16y
16z
16
16
16
16
16
17a
17b
17c
17d
18a
18b
18c
18d
18e
19a
19b
19c
19d
19e
19f
19g
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
3.97
7.13
3.75
0.94
4.63
7.35
6.49
1.61
0.6
5.29
17.99
0.69
1.03
1.60
0.76
0.36
12.43
0.61
2.41
2.25
43.76
6.06
0.38
1.83
0.24
3.78
0.28
0.34
0.81
2.11
0.05
2.26
12.72
0.63
0.33
0.42
0.17
3.36
0.59
4.53
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
20
44.92
10
Dalystown
esker
21
3.33
3
Crossanst’n
esker
22
21.36
8
Milltown esker
23
46.75
11 (7 and 5
– 1 split)
Esker system
name
Lakes-Scroghill
…
Rosemount
esker
Hightown esker
24
12.58
Mary Tubridy and Associates
7
Initial
individual
segment
notation
30h
30i
15h
15i
15j
15a
15b
15c
15d
15e
15f
15g
21b
21c
21a
32a
32b
32c
32d
32e
32f
32g
32h
14a and
14a(2)
14b
14c
14d
14e
14f
14g
14h
14i
14j
14k
25e
25f
25g
25a
25b
25c
Final
individual
segment
notation
19h
19i
20a
20b
20c
20d
20e
20f
20g
20h
20i
20j
21a
21b
21c
22a
22b
22c
22d
22e
22f
22g
22h
23a
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
0.41
0.38
0.07
3.07
1.68
11.51
5.89
0.51
5.34
9.66
2.65
4.54
0.54
0.56
2.23
2.98
3.55
5.13
0.94
2.03
3.77
1.44
1.52
2.25
23b
23c
23d
23e
23f
23g
23h
23i
23j
23k
24a
24b
24c
24d
24e
24f
1.91
11.77
7.61
2.97
0.24
1.69
2.3
1.59
11.95
2.47
1.11
0.15
5.18
0.14
4.08
1.14
34
Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Initial
individual
segment
notation
25d
13a
13b
13c
13d
16a
Final
individual
segment
notation
24g
25a
25b
25c
25d
26a
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
0.78
12.98
0.96
1.35
6.82
0.51
31a
31b
31c
24a
24b
26a
26b and
26b(2)
26c
29a
27a
27b
27c
28a
28b
29a
29b
1.31
0.28
0.24
1.27
0.83
0.57
7.8
29c
30a
1.95
4.36
1a and 1a(2)
31a
10.61
1
1b
28a
28b
22a
31b
32a
32b
33a
4.96
0.78
2.31
2.11
4.37
1
27a
34a
4.37
35
245.09
12
36
102.89
9
2e
2f
2g
2h
2i
2j
2k
2l
2a
2b
2c
2d
5a
5b
35a
35b
35c
35d
35e
35f
35g
35h
35i
35j
35k
35l
36a
36b
0.51
0.9
1.87
0.87
1.02
9.66
2.32
33.49
26.57
19.67
147.77
0.44
12.56
24.95
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
25
22.11
4
Dungaghy esker
26
0.51
1
Lowtown esker
27
1.83
3
Bellfield esker
28
2.1
2
Pass of Kilbride
esker
29
10.32
3 (2 and 2 –
1 split)
Twy
Lough
esker
Belville esker
30
4.36
1
31
15.57
2 (2 and 1 –
1 split)
Annagh esker
32
3.09
2
Clontytallon
esker
Cornamaddy
esker
Mount Temple
esker
33
2.11
34
Horseleap esker
Esker system
name
Hightown …
BaskinBallinderry
esker
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Number of
segments
Long Hill
37
102.02
7
Cloncrow esker
38
10.00
3
Split Hill esker
39
42.94
6
Racecourse eskr
Curries esker
Boggagh esker
Kilbeggan esker
Rahugh
(Kiltober) esker
40
41
42
43
44
14.98
0.51
0.62
9.06
61.5
1
1
1
1
3
Cappalahy esker
45
9.09
3
Clara esker
(Derrygolan
esker)
46
95.37
11
Esker system
name
Horseleap esker
(contd.)
Mary Tubridy and Associates
Initial
individual
segment
notation
5c
5d
5e
5f
5g
5h
5i
7a
7b
7c
7d
7e
7f
7g
20a
20b
20c
9a
9b
9c
9d
9e
9f
8a
4a
3a
6a
12a
12b
12c
10a
10b
10c
11a
11b
11c
11d
11e
Final
individual
segment
notation
36c
36d
36e
36f
36g
36h
36i
37a
37b
37c
37d
37e
37f
37g
38a
38b
38c
39a
39b
39c
39d
39e
39f
40a
41a
42a
43a
44a
44b
44c
45a
45b
45c
46a
46b
46c
46d
46e
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
1.53
25.26
9.43
6.62
2.69
3.77
16.08
0.3
2.25
12.43
35.63
1.15
32.00
18.26
2.04
6.15
1.81
1.09
12.25
2.15
2.04
3.23
22.18
14.98
0.51
0.62
9.06
58.42
1.57
1.51
2.56
3.96
2.57
2.17
2.81
6.29
1.01
8.77
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.2 Esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Esker system
name
Esker system
number
Overall area
of system
(hectares)
Clara esker
(Derrygolan
esker) contd.
Number of
segments
Initial
individual
segment
notation
11f
11g
11h
11i
11j
11k
Final
individual
segment
notation
46f
46g
46h
46i
46j
46k
Area of
individual
segments
(ha)
8.95
45.17
1.94
8.57
8.82
0.87
3.3 Evaluation of geodiversity
The orientation of the eskers indicates that there were two different ice lobes
moving and retreating in two different directions in this area during the last
glaciation.
One group is associated with western lobe’s flow (esker systems 30-32, 34-37, 3946 on Table 3.2), and deposition parallel to this, so generally oriented in an eastwest direction. The second group is associated with the northern lobe’s flow
(esker systems 1-29, 33, 38 on Table 3.2), and deposition parallel to this, so
generally oriented in a north-south or northwest-southeast direction.
Structurally the eskers which were left behind after ice movement are of two
types. These are the multi-crested profile, and the single crested profile.
Plate 3 Complex esker morphology comprising anastomosing segments at
Killnalugh, just north of Streamstown (esker segment 16f).
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Multi-crested eskers are usually wide, hummocky and have haphazard surface
forms as they are formed from a number of joined-up ridges. Therefore, these
may have a number of summits, shoulders, backslopes, footslopes and toeslopes
forming individual ridges, which interconnect with discrete or complex humps
and hollows across the overall esker area. The Mount Temple esker, with its
hummocky surface and interspersed kettle holes, is an example of a multi-crested
esker. Single crested eskers have a straightforward profile, comprising one ridge
with a summit, shoulder, backslope, footslope and toeslope.
Plate 4 The Rahugh Ridge at Rahugh (esker segment 44a) is a single-crested
esker
The eskers in this area illustrate all the features classically associated with eskers.
The fact that they illustrate subglacial drainage of ice during the last deglaciation
from two different ice sources, which moved in different directions, is somewhat
unique. This accounts for the large number of scientific studies which have been
carried out in the Westmeath area.
The eskers illustrate a variety of forms reflecting different histories. Tables 3.3
and 3.4 summarise esker diversity in Westmeath, which is unparalleled in any
other Midlands county.
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.3 Area covered by esker systems
Area
< and equal to 5ha
< and equal to
10ha
< and equal to
20ha
< and equal to
50ha
< and equal to
100ha
< and equal to
150ha
>150ha
Number of esker
systems
13
5
% of esker
systems
28
11
8
17
8
17
7
15
4
8
1
2
Table 3.4 Number of segments associated with esker systems
Number of segments
Number of esker systems
% of esker systems
< and equal to 1
< and equal to 2
< and equal to 5
< and equal to 10
< and equal to 15
>15
11
4
10
10
7
4
24
8
22
22
15
8
Esker segments vary in height, size and profile from low, voluminously-small,
single crested eskers to high, large, multi-crested types. Compare the Bellfield
esker (2 segments, single-crest; with the Streamstown esker (31 segments,
complex single to multi-crested). Parts of the ‘Crags’, Raharney, Mount Temple
and Streamstown eskers have up to three individual ridge crests side-by-side in
the esker. In fact, the geometry of the Streamstown esker is so complex that it is
difficult to separate individual crests, humps and hollows from each other. This
reflects a highly dynamic environment at the base of, and at the edge of, the
glacier in that area.
The Mount Temple esker system, comprised of only twelve segments, covers an
area of almost 2.5 square kilometres. The longest individual esker segment in
Westmeath is 7.5 kilometres long in segment ‘c’ of the Mount Temple esker
within Westmeath. This extends further into County Offaly. The
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Clara/Derrygolan Esker extends into Offaly where it has a further forty
segments covering 579ha comprising a third of all eskers in that county (Tubridy
and Meehan, 2006).
The following eskers have one segment: Boggagh, Curries, Kilbeggan, Race
Course, Cornamaddy, Twy Lough, Cavestown 3 and 4, Clontytallon and
Dungaghy Esker) and the largest number is 31 (Streamstown esker). Four eskers
have over 20 segments each (Finnea-Murrens, Castlepollard-Delvin, RathowenCartonstown and Streamstown).
Esker systems 37, 39, 46 and 44 (Split Hills/Long Hill esker, Split Hill esker, the
Clara/Clonmacnoise esker and the Rahugh Ridge) are especially interesting as
they allow for the interpretation of significant meltwater flows at the end of the
last glaciation. Three of these four systems are high, long and continuous over a
distance of tens of kilometres, and the Clara and Rahugh systems in their entirety
extend into counties Offaly and Galway along distances of over 60 kilometres
each. This in itself is remarkable, but the fact that three systems (7,11 and 12)
converge into a single point in County Westmeath, which is a triangular area of
sand and gravel in Garryduff and Montrath townlands at the edge of
Derrycoffey bog, means their geometry is particularly special.
Other eskers are also associated with this triangular area. The tunnels in which
the Mount Temple, Horseleap, Race Course, Kilbeggan and Cappalahy esker
systems were deposited fed into this triangular area at Garryduff-Montrath to
their east.
Of the eskers trending north-south, the Streamstown esker (esker system 16) is of
most geodiversity interest, purely for its complex form and geometry. It includes
portions which are single crested, multi-crested, has in places several esker
segments side by side, esker segments that ‘emerge’ out of the high hill to its’
east, anastomosing patterns, interspersed dry kettle holes, interspersed flooded
kettle holes, individual flanking kames and also adequate exposure in disused
pits and scars in order to study its internal form and soils.
While eskers cover only .91% of the county the effect of eskers on the landscape
is disproportionate to the small area which they cover. Many important scenic
areas derive their character from the nature of the underlying geology. The
character of the south Westmeath landscape particularly is derived from
quaternary geology. Esker heights vary reach 25 m (the high points of the Mount
Temple esker outside Moate).
The eskers contain significant reserves of materials the volume of which can be
predicted from their physical characteristics. Even the small Bellfield esker (2
segments, single-crest; 5m-6m high contains 150,000 tonnes of sediment. It is
estimated that the total volume of sands and gravels in the eskers I Westmeath is
in the order of one hundred and ten million tonnes. A conservative estimate for
the volume of material deposited by the glacial meltwaters in the Mount Temple
esker, in County Westmeath alone, is 30 millions tonnes of sediment.
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
The following table (Table 3.5) provides a ranking of esker systems on their
geodiversity value. Ranking is based on the following attributes which have been
also been used by the Irish Geological Heritage Programme as they allow for the
identification of the most unique in eskers in Ireland.
These are:
1) The extent to which they were associated with the drainage of the ice sheet
and therefore exhibit the local to regional scale deglacial pattern. This is broadly
related to the size of the esker system.
2) The diversity within the esker system. Esker systems with high structural
diversity rank higher than “simple” systems.
3) The possession of unique features within them i.e. one off, unusual sites. As
the detailed morphology and sedimentology has not been studied in any great
detail for most esker systems it is difficult to use this criteria for systems in
Westmeath. Therefore the classification effectively relies on criteria 1 and 2.
Based on these criteria esker systems in Westmeath have been ranked as being of
international, national, county and local interest (Table 3. 5).
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3. 5 Geodiversity evaluation of esker systems
International
Importance
1 FinneaMurrens
39
Split Hill
44
Rahugh/Kiltober
46 Clara/
Clonmacnoise/
Derrygolan
National
16 Streamstown
35 Mount Temple
36 Horseleap
County
Geological Sites
2 ‘The Crags’
Local importance
3 CastlepollardDelvin
4 Clonmellon
7 Cavestown (1)
5 Carnybrogan
8 Cavestown (2)
37 Long Hill
6 RathowenCartonst’n
9 Cavestown (3)
40 Race Course
12 Johnst’nBallyhealy
13 Raharney
10 Cavestown (4)
43 Kilbeggan
45 Cappalahy
14 CastletownB’nagore
15 Paslickstown
20 Rosemount
21 Dalystown
23 Milltown
25 BaskinBallinderry
31 Belville
38 Cloncrow
11 ClonarneyAddinst’n
17 Uisneach
18
19
22
24
26
Killucan
Lakes-Scroghill
Crossanstown
Hightown
Dungaghy
27 Lowtown
28 Bellfield
29 Pass of
Kilbride
30 Twy Lough
32 Annagh
33 Clontytallon
34 Cornamaddy
41 Curries
42 Boggagh
The esker systems of international importance at Split Hill, the Clara
(Derrygolan) esker and the Rahugh Ridge/Kiltober together with Long Hill are
especially important to interpret meltwater flows at the end of the last glaciation
in the Irish Midlands. Three of these four systems are high, long and quasi
continuous over a distance of tens of kilometres. This in itself is remarkable, but
the fact that the three systems converge into a single point in County Westmeath,
which is a triangular area of sand and gravel in Garryduff and Montrath
townlands at the edge of Derrycoffey bog, means their geometry is particularly
special. Viewing the map of the eskers at a smaller scale shows that tunnels in
which the Mount Temple, Horseleap, Race Course, Kilbeggan and Cappalahy
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
esker systems (esker systems 35, 36, 40, 43 and 45) were deposited also all fed
into the aforementioned triangular area at Garryduff-Montrath to their east.
From this, these eskers are national interest as they comprise smaller ‘tributaries’
within the overall subglacial esker ‘river’ system.
Of the other eskers trending north-south and/or northwest-southeast in
Westmeath, the Finnea-Murrens esker (esker system 1) and the Streamstown
esker (esker system 16) are of most geodiversity interest, purely for their complex
form and geometry.
The esker system at Finnea-Murrens is unique in that, as well as extending for a
distance within the scale of tens of kilometres, at its’ end along the
Meath/Westmeath county boundary the esker splays out and becomes one of the
most important meltwater-deposited deltas in Ireland. It is unique in that it
possesses very coarse sediment (cobbles and boulders dominate), and was
deposited on top of a melting, stagnating glacier (i.e. ‘supra’-glacially. The
esker-delta feature has been studied extensively by Robert Meehan in his PhD
work (1998) and has been visited by glacial scholars from the U.S., Canada and
the U.K. within the last few years.
The Streamstown Esker includes portions which are single crested, multi-crested,
has in places several esker segments side by side, esker segments that ‘emerge’
out of the high hill to its’ east, anastomosing patterns, interspersed dry kettle
holes, interspersed flooded kettle holes, individual flanking kames and coarse
fan and delta sediments, and also possess adequate exposure in disused pits and
scars in order to study their internal form and soils.
With reference to the remainder of the eskers in County Westmeath, the larger
features that make up the minor branches of the large subglacial drainage system
are of county importance. This means that the ‘Crags’, Castlepollard-Delvin,
Clonmellon, Rathowen-Cartonstown, Johnstown-Ballyhealy, Raharney,
Castletown-Ballynagore, Paslickstown, Rosemount, Dalystown, Milltown,
Baskin-Ballinderry, Belville and Cloncrow eskers (eskers systems 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 13,
14, 15, 20, 21, 23, 25, 31 and 38) are ranked at this conservation echelon.
The smaller eskers at Carnybrogan, Cavestown (1), Cavestown (2), Cavestown
(3), Cavestown (4), Clonarney-Addinstown, Uisneach, Killucan, Lakes-Scroghill,
Crossanstown, Hightown, Dungaghy, Lowtown, Bellfield, Pass of Kilbride, Twy
Lough, Annagh, Clontytallon, Curries and Boggagh eskers (esker systems 5, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 41 and 42) are of local
interest only.
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
3.4 Biodiversity
3.4.1 Introduction
Table 3.6 shows the extent of fieldwork carried out between 2005 and 2006. In
2005 approx 450ha and 9 entire esker systems were examined directly to identify
their habitats. These were mapped manually using the Habitat Councils colour
coding system (Draft Habitat Mapping Guidelines 2005). In 2006, 440 ha and 12
esker systems were examined directly. Digitising of the identified habitats on all
esker systems is being carried out. Therefore both hand drawn and digital maps
are available for the eskers surveyed in 2005.
Mary Tubridy and Associates
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.6 Fieldwork at esker systems in Westmeath
Esker name
(number)
Area (no. Information collected (year)
segments)
Finnea/Murrins (1)
95.15 (23)
‘The Crags Esker” (2)
102.82 (14)
Castlepollard Delvin
Esker (3)
Clonmellon Esker (4)
75.68 (21)
26.97 (13
Carnybrogan Esker
4.7
(1)
Rathowen
66.21 (25)
Cartonstown Esker (6)
Cavestown Esker 1 (7) 12.37 (5)
Cavestown Esker 2
(8)
Cavestown Esker 3
(9)
Cavestown Esker 4
(10)
ClonarneyAddinstown Esker
(11)
Johnstown Ballyhealy
Esker (12)
12.94 (2)
Raharney Esker (13)
53.78 (12)
Castletown
Ballynagore Esker
(14)
Paslickstown Esker
(Ballynacarig-Ballina
Esker (15)
Streamstown Esker
(16)
61.17 (13)
4.33 (1)
6.47 (1)
20.24 (7)
31.82 (8)
38.05 (11)
145.66 (31)
Mary Tubridy and Associates
All sections examined. Habitats and
quarries indicated on vector map (2006).
All sections examined. Habitats and
quarries indicated on vector map (2006).
All sections examined. Habitats and
quarries indicated on vector map (2006).
All sections examined. Habitats and
quarries indicated on vector map (2006).
Aerial inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats indicated on vector map (2006)
All sections examined. Habitats and
quarries indicated on vector map (2006).
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats mapped. Critical sections
examined (2006)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats mapped (2006)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats mapped. (2006)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats mapped (2006)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats mapped. Critical sections
examined (2006)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats mapped. Critical sections
examined (2006)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitats mapped. Critical sections
examined (2006)
All sections examined. Habitats mapped
on sections 14c-14m (19a-19k) in 2005.
Habitats on 14a and 14b seen in (2006).
All sections examined. Habitats mapped
on 15k (section 23a) in 2005. Sections
15a-15j all examined in 2006.
All sections examined. Habitats mapped
on sections 16m-16 (17a-17s) in 2005.
Habitats on 16a and 16l in 2006.
45
Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.6. Examination of esker systems in Westmeath
Uisneach Esker
(17)
Killucan Esker
(18)
Lakes-Scroghil
Esker (19)
Rosemount Esker
(20)
4.64 (4)
Dalystown Esker
(21)
Crossanstown
Esker (22)
Milltown Esker
(23)
3.33 (3)
Hightown Esker
(24)
Baskin Ballinderry
Esker (25)
Dungaghy Esker
(26)
Lowtown Esker
(27)
Bellfield Esker (28)
Pass of Kilbride
Esker
(29)
Twy Lough Esker
(30)
Belville esker (31)
12.58
(7)
22.11
(4)
.51 (1)
Annagh esker (32)
Clontyallon esker
(33)
Cornamaddy
esker (34)
Mount Temple
esker (35)
Horseleap esker
(36)
Long Hill esker
(37)
17.95
(5)
10.82
(9)
44.92
(10)
21.36
(8)
46.75
(11)
Sections 17 and 17 b examined directly in 2006.
Aerials examined for 17 c and d in 2005.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped. Habitats
shown on vector maps (2006).
All sections examined. Habitats and quarries
indicated on vector map (2006).
Sections a-c examined directly in 2006. Aerials
examined for d-j (15a-15g in 2005). All habitats
mapped on vectors.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped. Habitats
shown on vector maps (2006).
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped for
segments 23a-e in 2005. Habitats directly
inspected in 23f-k in 2006
All segments inspected from aerials between
2005 and 2006
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2005.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2005.
1.83 (3)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2006.
2.1 (2)
10.32
(3)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2005.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2005
4.36 (1)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2006
15.57
(2)
3.09 (2)
2.11 (1)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped. Habitats
mapped in 2005 and maps coded in 2006
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2006
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2005
4.37 (1)
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2005
245.09
(12)
102.9
(9)
102.02
(7)
All sections examined. Habitats mapped on 35i-l
in 2005. Habitats coded on 35a-h in 2006.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped in 2005.
Mary Tubridy and Associates
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped.
Habitat map for cSAC contained in management
plan (in prep.)
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.6. Examination of esker systems in Westmeath (contd)
Cloncrow esker
(38)
Split Hill esker (39)
Race Course esker
(40)
Curries esker (41)
Boggagh esker (42)
Kilbeggan esker
(43)
Rahugh Ridge
(Kiltober esker)
(44)
Cappalahy esker
(45)
Clara (Derrygolan)
esker (46)
10.00
(3)
42.96
(6)
14.98
(1)
0.51
(1)
0.62
(1)
9.06
(1)
61.51
(3)
9.09
(3)
95.38
(11)
Aerials inspected. Habitats and quarries mapped
in 2005
All sections examined. Habitats and quarries
mapped.
Examined. Habitats and quarries mapped.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped. Habitats
mapped.
Aerials inspected. Quarries mapped. Habitats
mapped.
All sections examined. Habitats and quarries
mapped
All areas examined. Habitats and quarries
mapped (includes site of quarry application) in
designated and undesignated areas.
All sections mapped. Quarries mapped.
All sections examined. Habitats and quarries
mapped.
Table 3.7 contains a list of thirty seven habitats associated with the eskers.
Eighteen additional habitats were found on the eskers in 2006. These principally
comprise different types of wetlands. This was not unexpected as eskers outside
Sheet 48 are lower in altitude those in the south of the county and thus are more
likely to be adjacent to wetland habitats. Many segments (on eskers 35,36, 37, 39,
46, 31 and 14) are adjacent to kettle holes, which are now occupied with wetlands
either fens, or marshes which increase habitat and species diversity near to these
eskers.
The commonest habitat found was improved grassland.This is typical of
intensively managed land. However the eskers also supported signficant cover of
semi-natural habitats which are less common in adjacent fields. Even improved
land is bordered by species rich hedgerows. Digitising of habitats will allow for
the accurate calculation of the area covered by each habitat.
Various eskers support examples of the priority type calcareous grassland.
From within these habitats, a total of 224 flowering plant species were recorded
(see Appendix 5 for list of plants). Notable species include the bee orchid Ophrys
apifera and birds nest orchid Neottia nidus-avis.
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Table 3.7 Habitats on eskers. Habitats found in
2006 marked with an asterix.
Habitat category
Eutrophic lakes
Depositing lowland rivers*
Canals*
Drainage ditches
Reed and tall herb swamps
Tall herb swamps
Improved agricultural grassland
Amenity grassland
Dry calcareous and neutral grassland
Priority type dry calcareous grassland
Dry meadows and grassy verges*
Dry humid acid grassland*
Wet grassland
Dense bracken*
Raised bog*
Cut over raised bog*
Rich fen and flush
Oak-ash-hazel woodland
Wet pedunculate oak-ash woodland*
Bog woodland*
(Mixed) broadleaved woodland
Mixed broadleaved/conifer woodland
Conifer plantation
Scattered trees and parkland
Scrub
Immature woodland
Ornamental non native shrub*
Hedgerows
Tree lines
Exposed sand, gravel or till
Spoil and bare ground*
Recolonising bare ground
Active quarries and mines
Refuse and other waste*
Arable crops
Stone walls and other stonework
Buildings and artificial surfaces
Habitat code
FL5
FW2
FW3
FW4
FS1
FS2
GA1
GA2
GS1
GS1*
GS2
GS3
GS4
HD1
PB1
PB4
PF1
WN2
WN4
WN7
WD1
WD2
WD4
WD5
WS1
WS2
WS3
WL1
WL2
ED1
ED2
ED3
ED4
ED5
BC1
BL1
BL3
3.4.2 Esker habitats
The following is an account of the biodiversity interest of the principal habitats
associated with eskers. Accounts of each esker system (list of habitats, notable
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features, species lists) are contained in Appendix 7. These accounts should be
read in conjunction with the habitat maps.
Grasslands
The majority of esker land is covered in grassland usually improved grassland.
However improved grassland is less improved than that found in well drained
flatter land as farmers have to work harder to maintain its nutrient status and
prevent scrub encroachment.
Improved agricultural grassland (GA1)
This habitat was found in all eskers.
All esker grasslands have been actively managed. The degree to which they
have been actively managed in the last fifty years (and soil type) determined if
they were classified as improved agricultural grassland or dry calcareous and
neutral grassland. While some improved grasslands could be easily identified
from aerial photographs as bright green fields, where these grasslands were
found on slopes, on shallow soils or had been improved within the last thirty
years fieldwork was required as colour differences were less distinct.
Management of GA grasslands typically involves fertilisation (the degree of
which depends on the nature of farming carried out in the holding), topping of
tall herbs later in the season and reseeding (which has occurred less frequently in
the last twenty years). Almost all fields with GA1 are grazed or/and cut for
silage. Tillage was not seen in any esker fields in 2005 or 2006 as their slopes
make ploughing difficult.
Recently reseeded grasslands were uncommon and were likely to be managed
for silage. They are typically low in species diversity, being dominated mainly by
perennial rye-grass with smooth and rough meadow-grasses. Clover is
infrequent. Other species such as daisy, ribwort plantain and creeping thistle are
occasional.
The reseeding of esker grassland principally occurred c. 30-40 years ago. These
fields now support a more diverse sward and there is considerable diversity
between grasslands (Target Notes 2/2, 2/3, 8/1,9/1, 11/1). Typical calcareous
grassland species can often be found scattered through the improved sward.
Depending on soil type and slope species diversity could be high. Grasses
included those which were typically used to reseed pastures in that time and
included sweet vernal grass, soft brome, crested dog’s tail, cock’s foot and
meadow fescue. Depending on the degree of management clover cover may be
high or low. Shrubs such as blackthorn may be found on the edge of these fields.
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Plate 5 GA1 on the Streamstown Esker 16j at Killeenerk
On many esker segments which principally support improved grassland there
are bands of dry calcareous and neutral grassland on the steeper sides which
have not been treated with fertilizer, topped or ploughed (such as on the
Racecourse esker and along the Castletown-Ballynagore esker at 14e). Therefore
within or adjacent to fields which not support improved swards there are
reservoirs of the original native flora.
Dry calcareous and neutral grassland (GS1)
Grasslands were classified as improved on the basis of vegetation and
management. GS grasslands were so identified if they were not being actively
managed through addition of fertilizer, scrub removal or herbicide use. This
habitat was likely to be found on a steep slope.
This type of grassland is found on all the Westmeath esker systems which were
examined (Target notes 2/4,2/5, 8/2,9/2,11/2,17/1) and a subset of these
possessed characteristics of the priority type calcareous grassland.
All grasslands of this type had some of the following grasses: crested dog’s-tail,
red fescue, sweet vernal grass, smooth meadow grass, common and creeping
bent and cock’s-foot. The following herbs were also common; cat’s-ear, black
knapweed, yarrow, red clover, dog daisy, lesser hawkbit, bird’s-foot trefoil,
carrot and selfheal. Where management in these fields is now lax the fields are
being invaded by blackthorn and whitethorn.
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GS1 grasslands are found in bands or discrete areas in fields in more intensively
managed eskers, on roadside verges, in a graveyard. What these sites have in
common is the absence of management or low intensity grazing.
The species rich priority type was found in lightly managed fields on steep
slopes, in fields which are suffering from scrub invasion in fields which have
developed on old sand and gravel pits or adjacent to them. The principal
requirement for this grassland is the complete absence of fertilizer.
The more species-rich grasslands supported at least six of the species associated
with calcareous grasslands (Target notes 8/3, 11/3, 17/2,3). They typically
contained many of the following species, downy oat-grass, quaking grass,
spring-sedge, burnet saxifrage, wild marjoram, field scabious, cowslip, lesser
trefoil, fairy flax, lady’s bedstraw, lady’s mantle, mouse-ear hawkweed, common
centaury, creeping cinquefoil, spotted-orchids or bulbous buttercup.
Plate 6 Calcareous grassland on the Finnea Murrens Esker (Segment 1q) at
Tonyowen
A number of less common species were also recorded, such as upright brome,
bee orchid, fragrant orchid, lesser buttefly orchid and greater butterfly orchids
marsh orchids, pyramidal orchid and carline thistle.
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Plate 7 Carline thistle, a plant of open esker grassland and disturbed areas
Wet grassland (GS4)
This is a rare habitat on eskers. It is found covering small areas in depressions
where the grassland is affected by a low water table and run off from esker
slopes (See target notes 2/6,11/4, 17/4,19/1). It is relatively easily to identify on
aerial photographs as the vegetation is usually purple and texture is uneven
compared to dry grasslands.
It is more common on eskers in the north of the county as these are less steep.
It is sometimes found in association with areas of open water which appear only
in winter and could provide habitat for water hens and other waterfowl. The
grassland habitat is dominated by the presence of rushes and grasses,
particularly creeping bent, Yorkshire fog and floating sweet-grass, with much
greater diversity in some areas with meadowsweet, iris, soft rush, sharpflowered rush, creeping buttercup, brooklime and water mint.
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Plate 8 Wet grassland on the Mount Temple esker (35i)
Dry meadows and grassy verges
GS2
This habitat is found where the management of GS1 is light and grassland has
not been cut or grazed on esker system 1, 17 and 35. Depending on soil depth
species diversity may be very high. A roadside verge on the Mt Temple esker on
segment has many of the species associated with the priority grassland type. In
contrast on deeper soil this vegetation is characterised by nettles, docks and
thistles.
Dry humid acid grassland
GS3
This type of grassland is rare and was found only in the north of the county
where drift it less alkaline in esker fields where they border bogs or in fields (16
delta) where soils have become acidic due to leaching.
Bracken (HD1)
This habitat is only found in the north of the county. While bracken is sometimes
found as an invader in more acidic grasslands bracken dominated fields are rare.
A good example is seen in 16a where the following species also occur; bilberry,
gorse, purple moor grass, rosebay willowherb and sweet vernal grass.
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Plate 9 This esker segment (16a) within the bog is indicated by the presence of a
mature ash and has a mixture of habitats (HD1, PB4 and ED3)
Wetlands
Wetlands on or near eskers are more common in the north of the county as
segments are relatively lower and thus nearer the water table. Most have been
affected by fertilizer run off and their condition has deteriorated as a result.
Eutrophic lakes (FL4)
The most common type of wetland is a shallow water body which was originally
a kettle hole. Waters are almost always turbid and appear eutrophic. Most are
small ponds and as they are in fields grazed by cattle their marginal vegetation is
very poor. As well as some of the wet grassland species described above, ponds
contain may amphibious bistort, branched bur-reed and stoneworts.
These sites are very obvious on aerial photos as regular circular areas.
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Plate 10 Small area of open water on the Crags Esker (2j) near Ballinlig
Tall herb swamps (FS2)
This habitat is found occasionally around the larger ponds, where eskers are
adjacent to lakes, in the abandoned canal which runs along the Horseleap esker
and intersects the Cappalahy and Rahugh esker systems. Species sometimes
include reed, water horsetail and Schoenoplectus lacustris in deeper water.
Depositing lowland rivers
FW2
As all the rivers which intersect eskers have been deepened and straightened
these sites do not have any more semi-natural habitats than nearby sections of
river unless dredging works have led to the mounding of soil along their banks.
Canals
FW3
Where eskers intersect canals biodiversity interest is greater. Accounts exist of
such areas in baseline studies carried out in the early 1990’s (Dromey et al 1991)
Drainage ditches
FW4
Drainage ditches are rare habitats on eskers as almost all eskers are well drained
and thus do not require drains. Willows particularly Salix cinerea spp oleifolia
are particularly associated with wet ditches on eskers. Drainage ditch at 15 i&j
was species rich with water horsetail, meadowsweet, willow herb (Epilobium
hirsutum), silverweed and Salix spp.
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Woodland and scrub
Woodland is always found in discrete pockets with distinct boundaries. Scrub is
more likely to be found in a mosaic with GS grassland, and less rarely covering
entire fields unless they have been not been farmed for decades.
Oak-ash-hazel woodland (WN2)
This woodland type is typical of calcareous soils in general and eskers in
particular. Mature examples of this habitat are easy to identify on aerial
photographs. However patches are small and fieldwork is required to
characterise sites which contain a mixture of scrub, are present in narrow bands
along the sides of road where they are difficult to distinguish from hedgerows or
were planted or intensively managed.
The largest areas of woodland are present on the Split Hills/Long Hill and
Rahugh Ridge eskers. Elsewhere there are patches of woodland on almost all of
the eskers examined (Target notes 2/7,8/3,11/5,17/5,19/2, 20/1). All these
woodlands are characterised by the presence of mature hazel. Ash is the
commonest mature tree with small amounts of pedunculate oak. Hawthorn is the
commonest shrub with occasional holly and rusty willow (Salix cinerea ssp
oleifolia). Irish whitebeam was found at one site on the Cappalahy esker.
Bramble is abundant with blackthorn and hawthorn. Spindle, field rose and
guelder-rose is occasional. Ivy is found both as a shrub and in the ground layer.
The species diversity of the ground flora is exceptional and usually features
typical species such as pignut, soft brome, rough meadow-grass, wood dock,
upright hedge-parsley, wood avens, herb Robert and enchanter’s nightshade.
Heavily grazed examples have a predominance of plants that tolerate or thrive
on enriched soils, such as rough meadow-grass, wood dock, nettle, burdock and
hogweed. There is usually a high proportion of bare ground and the esker sides
may be eroding.
Where grazing intensity is low or absent, the shrub layer is more dense and the
ground flora more varied. There will be a high cover of the typical calcareous
woodland species plus wild strawberry, scaly male-fern, wood sedge, wood
speedwell, wild strawberry, bluebell, soft shield-fern, primrose, wood sanicle
and violets. Wood melick, bugle, early purple orchid, tutsan are locally frequent
to occasional.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Plate 11 Semi-natural oak ash hazel woodland at Corcullantry on the
Clonmellon Esker (4m)
Wet pedunculate oak-ash woodland
WN4
This is a rare habitat found on a few esker systems (Nos ). A good example is
found on 15f where the woodland was dominated by ash but also contained
hawthorn, bramble, primrose, meadowsweet, balsam, remote sedge, Apium
nodiforum, Impatiens glandulifera
Bog woodland
WN7
This is a rare habitat which is particularly associated with esker 19. Its small
esker segments a-d have a woodland dominated by birch with Scots pine and
alder. Field layer is composed of bracken, ling heather, gorse, silverweed,
tormentil, meadowsweet and rush sp.
Broadleaved and (Mixed) broadleaved woodland (WD1 and WD2)
Old woodlands planted on eskers usually contain a mixture of native and exotic
trees. WD1 is a type dominated by broadleaved trees. An example of this type is
on the Mt Temple esker (No. 35) west of Mt Temple and is dominated by beech
with birch, sycamore, hazel and oak.
Depending on the canopy species and management the understorey may retain
mainly native species. This type of woodland is not uncommon on the eskers
examined where it was originally planted in small plantations or invaded
naturally in old pits. It was found at two sites on Mount Temple esker (including
around the Motte), within a demesne on Split Hill esker (Target Note 9/3) and in
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the Durrow Demesne within Co. Westmeath. These woodlands all contain some
native ash with planted oak, beech and less occasionally sycamore.
The ground flora can be rich but usually lacks typical calcareous woodland types
such as pignut, wood sanicle and bluebell.
Plate 12 Planted woodland in Coolure Demesne on the Castlepollard-Delvin
Esker (3d)
Conifer plantation (WD4)
Conifer plantations are found on several esker systems where they extend into
nearby fields. One has recently been established on the Clara esker (segment 11b
at Ballycahan townland) replacing old grassland/scrub. The entire holding
appears to have been planted as the owner who inherited the land is not
interested in farming. Many of the new plantations appear recent and current
vegetation still reflects retains many of characteristics of the original
scrub/grassland.
Scattered trees and parkland (WD5)
This habitat was found on the Clara esker (no 46). It is associated with woodland
planted as a deer park within a demesne and later cleared leaving scattered trees.
A good example is found in Durrow Demesne. Trees are usually over mature
and may include pedunculate oak, lime, horse chestnut) had been left behind in
this large field. The grassland in this field was managed intensively for grazing.
Scrub (WS1)
Scrub is found on most esker systems where management is lax. It is usually
associated with hedgerows and may be near woodlands. Smaller bands probably
exist on the eskers but there were not mapped <2m in width. Large areas of
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scrub were found on farms where management is lax (Target Notes
2/9,11/6,17/6). On these holdings scrub cover is encroaching from field margins,
or extending from small patches on the steeper slopes of eskers or from
woodlands. Scrub is also common around within and around abandoned
quarries.
Dense scrub on these eskers is characterised by the dominance of blackthorn,
gorse and to a lesser extent hawthorn and hazel. It is a very dynamic habitat.
While it can be easily identified from aerial photographs fieldwork is required as
maps based on 2000 aerial photographs underestimate its extent. Gorse scrub is
also difficult to penetrate for the purposes of fieldwork.
Dense scrub generally has a species-poor ground flora, though late-successional
stage areas, where trees are becoming re-established can have a more diverse
ground flora with some woodland species. Scattered scrub usually occurs on
calcareous or neutral grassland of varying diversity.
Hawthorn and blackthorn scrub is more likely to be associated with priority type
grassland in the fields where it occurs. Gorse scrub becomes established on
deeper and more acidic soils.
Plate 13 In this field scrub is found in a typical location; on the steeper slope
which is difficult to manage intensively (Finnea Murrens Esker 1r)
Immature woodland (WS2)
Young plantations are found on several esker systems (1,3,6,14,15,20,23). These
consist of a range of species such as ash with sycamore, birch, oak and beech and
some were planted on the sites of older woodlands. Plantations of various age
are seen on esker segment 23g.
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Hedgerows (WL1)
Hedgerows are associated with field boundaries and roadsides and frequently
run along townland boundaries. Unique features of esker hedgerows are 1) the
abundance of hazel 2) the presence of unusually wide roadside hedgerows along
the crest of eskers which extend into the adjacent fields. A good example of such
hedgerows is found on the Castletown Ballynagore esker (Target Note 19/3)
along the road between Ballynagore and Rahinmore. Only one example of active
hedge management was seen on the Rahugh esker (segment 44a outside the
designated area). Typical tree and shrub species of hedgerows are elder, ash,
hawthorn, dog rose and bramble.
As well as the tree and shrub species described for oak-ash-hazel woodland
above, hedgerows were found to contain some species which were not associated
with woodland. These include snowberry and stitchwort.
Hedgerows are particularly important for small eskers where the adjacent land
has been modified through extraction, agricultural improvement or building as
they provide reservoirs of native woodland flora and fauna.
Plate 14 Dense hedgerows are typically found beside esker roads.
Habitats associated with sand, gravel or till (ED)
The following three habitat types (ED1, ED2, and ED4) result from the extraction
of materials from eskers. They are usually found as a mosaic in amounts which
depend on the amount of active extraction which is occurring or when it ceased.
Additionally, they usually adjacent to scrub, semi-natural grassland or woodland
habitats and less often ponds. Disturbed areas are characterised by a low
vegetation cover (usually less than 50%), which usually comprises a mixture of
typical calcareous grassland and woodland species with some opportunistic
ruderal (weed) species.
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The habitat type “exposed sand, gravel or till (ED1)” is found on parts of eskers
where the sand and gravel is exposed and active recolonisation is not possible
due to management. This habitat was associated with the use of esker land as a
training paddock for horses or wide roadway. In all situations some of the
original esker sand and gravels had been removed to provide a level surface. No
vegetation was found in the training paddock and the use of esker as a roadway
did not allow for the growth of plants.
Quarries and disturbed ground
Recolonising bare ground (ED3)
These areas were quarried in the past but are now actively revegetating.
Depending on the length of time since quarrying occurred many of these areas
may be completely revegetated. Plant cover is over 50%, and is usually a mixture
of ruderals, calcareous grassland species, and scrubby trees and shrubs (Target
Notes 17/7, 20/2).
Weed species associated with this habitat include pearlwort, ragwort, nettle,
silverweed, dandelions and coltsfoot. In areas where colonisation is more
advanced calcareous grassland species are common including quaking grass.The
uncommon wall lettuce is locally frequent in this habitat.
Plate 15 Calcareous grassland colonising an old pit (Crags esker 2m)
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Active quarries and mines (ED4)
Active sand and gravel extraction is ongoing in a small number of pits on the
Westmeath eskers. These areas are virtually devoid of vegetation cover due to
continuous disturbance.
Plate 16 Small pit on the Rosemount Esker (esker segment 20j).
Stone walls and other stonework (BL1)
A small number of stone walls are found along roadsides bounding fields, or
resulting from ruined buildings. Stone walls are always of limestone and are
common on roads along the Mount Temple esker, west of Mt Temple, and along
the Split Hill esker (at 39f bounding a demesne), in the middle sections of the
Streamstown esker and at the eastern end of the Rahugh esker ridge.
Some calcareous grassland species may be found growing on mortar in cracks in
the walls. Wall-plants such as maidenhair spleenwort and wall-rue are also
found.
Buildings and artificial surfaces (BL3)
In many instances roads have followed the eskers, resulting in the top surface
being covered in tarmac. Houses and farm outbuildings have also been built on
eskers usually after some sand and gravel has been extracted to provide a level
surface. These areas support few native plants and gardens associated with these
houses are with few exceptions of low value for biodiversity.
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3.4.3 Evaluation of the biodiversity value of esker systems
All esker systems were ranked to provide a relative evaluation of their
biodiversity value. Criteria used included size, number of habitats, presence of
the priority grassland habitat and presence of rare species. The results are
summarised in Table 3.8. By combining the results of this ranking system with
the geodiversity ranking an overall ranking will be obtained.
Size was scored as follows:
1- 10ha=1
10- 20ha =2
20- 50ha=3
50- 100ha=4
>100 ha=5
Number of habitats was scored as follows:
0-3 habitats =1
3-5 habitats=2
6-9 habitats=3
10-12 habitats=4
More than 12 habitats=5
Possession of GS1 habitats
None or low potential =0
Evidence for or potential to support priority grassland=5
Rare species or habitats
No records of rare species or priority habitat=0
Records of rare species =5
Records include those provided by BSBI, compiled in written reports (such as
NPWS site files) as well as those obtained through fieldwork in 2005.
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Table 3.8 Biodiversity ranking of eskers
Esker name and number
Size Habitat
Diversity
Rank (no.
habs)
GS1 Rare
habs/
Species
Finnea/Murrins (1)
‘The Crags Esker” (2)
Castlepollard Delvin Esker (3)
Clonmellon Esker (4)
Carnybrogan Esker 1 (5)
Rathowen Cartonstown Esker (6)
Cavestown Esker 1 (7)
Cavestown Esker 2 (8)
Cavestown Esker 3 (9)
Cavestown Esker 4 (10)
Clonarney-Addinstown Esker (11)
Johnstown Ballyhealy Esker (12)
Raharney Esker (13)
Castletown Ballynagore Esker (14)
Paslickstown Esker (BallynacarigBallina) Esker (15)
Streamstown Esker (16)
Uisneach Esker (17)
Killucan Esker (18)
Lakes-Scroghil Esker (19)
Rosemount Esker (20)
Dalystown Esker (21)
Crossanstown Esker (22)
Milltown Esker (23)
Hightown Esker (24)
Baskin Ballinderry Esker (25)
Dungaghy Esker (26)
Lowtown Esker (27)
Bellfield Esker (28)
Pass of Kilbride Esker (29)
Twy Lough Esker (30)
Belville esker (31)
Annagh esker (32)
Clontyallon esker (33)
Cornamaddy esker (34)
Mount Temple esker (35)
Horseleap esker (36)
Long Hill esker (37)
Cloncrow esker (38)
Split Hill esker (39)
Race Course esker (40)
Curries esker (41)
Boggagh esker (42)
Kilbeggan esker (43)
Rahugh Ridge (Kiltober esker) (44)
Cappalahy esker (45)
Clara (Derrygolan) esker (46)
4
5
4
3
1
4
2
2
1
1
2
3
4
4
5 (15)
4 (11)
5 (14)
5 (15)
2 (3)
3 (9)
2 (5)
2 (4)
2 (4)
2 (4)
3 (6)
3 (6)
3 (10)
4 (12)
5
5
5
5
0
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
3
5
1
2
2
3
1
3
3
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
5
5
5
1
3
2
1
1
1
4
1
4
5 (15)
5 (12)
3 (7)
3 (7)
3 (8)
4 (12)
1 (3)
3 (9)
5 (13)
2 (4)
3 (9)
1 (1)
1 (3)
1 (3)
1 (2)
1 (4)
2 (4)
2 (4)
1 (3)
1 (2)
5 (16)
4 (10)
4 (10)
3 (7)
2 (5)
2 (5)
1 (3)
1 (1)
1 (9)
3 (6)
2 (5)
4 (11)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
0
0
5
0
0
5
0
5
0
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
5
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
5
5
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
3.5 Evaluation of geodiversity and biodiversity of esker
systems
By combining the results of geodiveristy and biodiversity rankings a combined
assessment of eskers was produced the results are in Table 3.9. Geodiveristy
rating was calculated as follows; eskers of International Interest= 20, eskers of
national interest= 15, eskers of county importance = 10 and eskers of local
importance = 5
Table 3.9 Eskers ranked by natural heritage value
Esker name and number
Geodiversity Biodiversity Total
Score *
Score
Score
Finnea/Murrins (1)
Clara (Derrygolan) esker (46)
Rahugh Ridge (Kiltober esker)
(44)
Streamstown Esker (16)
Mount Temple esker (35)
Horseleap esker (36)
Long Hill esker (37)
Split Hill esker (39)
Cappalahy esker (45)
Race Course esker (40)
‘The Crags Esker” (2)
Castlepollard Delvin Esker (3)
Clonmellon Esker (4)
Paslickstown Esker
(Ballynacarig-Ballina) Esker
(15)
Milltown Esker (23)
Rosemount Esker (20)
Raharney Esker (13)
Rathowen Cartonstown Esker
(6)
Kilbeggan esker (43)
Johnstown Ballyhealy Esker
(12)
Baskin Ballinderry Esker (25)
Cloncrow esker (38)
Belville esker (31)
Castletown Ballynagore Esker
(14)
Dalystown Esker (21)
Crossanstown Esker (22)
20
20
20
19
18
17
39
38
37
15
15
15
15
20
15
15
10
10
10
20
20
19
19
10
13
9
14
14
13
35
35
34
34
30
28
24
24
24
23
23
10
13
10
10
10
10
13
12
12
12
23
22
22
22
15
10
7
11
22
21
10
10
10
10
11
9
9
18
21
19
19
28
10
5
7
11
17
16
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Table 3.9 Eskers ranked by natural heritage value (contd)
Esker name and number
Geodiversity Biodiversity Total
Score *
Score
Score
Clonarney-Addinstown Esker
(11)
Killucan Esker (18)
Lakes-Scroghil Esker (19)
Uisneach Esker (17)
Cavestown Esker 1 (7)
Cavestown Esker 2 (8)
Hightown Esker (24)
Cavestown Esker 3 (9)
Cavestown Esker 4 (10)
Bellfield Esker (28)
Clontyallon esker (33)
Curries esker (41)
Boggagh esker (42)
Carnybrogan Esker 1 (5)
Annagh esker (32)
Dungaghy Esker (26)
Lowtown Esker (27)
Pass of Kilbride Esker (29)
Twy Lough Esker (30)
Cornamaddy esker (34)
5
10
15
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
10
10
9
9
9
9
8
8
7
7
7
7
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
15
15
14
14
14
14
13
13
12
12
12
12
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
3.4 Conclusions
Westmeath has a higher cover of esker systems than other midland counties
(.91% vs .83 % in Offaly and .3% in Laois). There are 46 different esker systems in
Westmeath compared to 23 in Offaly and four of these esker systems (1,4, 44 and
49) have already been suggested as potential NHA’s by the IGHP. These four
esker systems rank highly in Table 3.9. Offaly has two esker systems of such
quality.
This review suggests that other esker systems deserve recognition for their
geodiversity and biodiversity value both nationally and locally and that the
evaluation described in tables 3.7-3.9 adequately describes the relative value of
the different esker systems.
It confirms that the biodiversity and geodiversity interest of eskers are both
indirectly related to size. Large esker systems invariably rank highly for both
geodiversity and biodiversity.
In the past the practise has been to designate discrete areas on esker segments
which have semi-natural habitats, particularly woodlands. This study suggests
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that the designation of entire esker systems is more appropriate as it would
recognise both geodiversity and biodiversity values. There are many areas on the
eskers in Westmeath which deserve recognition for their natural heritage value
and the survey has shown that there are many examples of priority type habitats
particularly priority calcareous grassland outside designated areas.
This preliminary survey has shown that eskers which only cover .91% of the
county supports 37 habitats and over two hundred plant species. This is a high
proportion of all habitats found in Westmeath. The number of plant species
found also represents a high proportion of its native flora. They include the bee
orchid, birds nest orchid, butterfly orchids, red hemp nettle and Irish whitebeam
tree.A more detailed floristic study would have revealed more species and
probably more protected species.
The management of the natural heritage, both nationally and internationally, has
traditionally focussed on biodiversity. The approach is slowly changing (Parkes,
2004) and there is increasing recognition that a joint focus on geodiversity and
biodiveristy is both holistic and practical. The recognition and management of
eskers in Westmeath should support this integrated approach.
4 Management for sustainable development
4.1 Management issues
A number of management practices affect the eskers in Westmeath, in negative
and positive ways.
4.1.1 Quarrying
Eskers represent significant resources of sand and gravel the extent of which can
be deduced from esker dimensions. The total volume of sands and gravels in the
eskers in Westmeath is c one hundred and ten million tonnes. Quarrying for
sand and gravel is the greatest threat to their survival as it removes physical
evidence for the feature. While species diversity might be increased through
quarrying the habitats which result are of lesser value than those in undisturbed
eskers.
Aerial orthophotograph mapping (dated 2000) and fieldwork showed the
presence of at least 46 pits in the eskers in Sheet 48. In the entire county 76 pits
were found. The mapping of pits from aerial photographs may have
underestimated their extent as some are now covered in scrub or woodland. As a
result they are not easily recognisable as pits on aerial photographs.
Pits are not present on all esker systems. The majority of the pits are
characterised as small. They are associated with farms and are/ or were used
exclusively by the landowner as a source of hard core for farm roads or
foundations. Sections of the small old pits are revegetating naturally and within
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them are areas of biodiversity interest. Roadside cutting offer convenient places
to examine esker sediments and biodiversity. The degree of exploitation appears
to be related to their proximity to a large centre of population. Within the Mt
Temple esker system almost the entire segment 35f close to Athlone has been
removed. Building seemed to respect the integrity of other segments d and e
within the town. However segment 35e which is of very high biodiversity value
is under threat from development.
Large pits were found in nine locations, principally in the south of the county.
One large active pit is situated on the Mount Temple esker at Dunegan. Others
are at Ardnurcher on the Horseleap esker; at three locations on the Split
Hills/Long Hill esker (pSAC) (Killard, Cuilnamayor Hill, Teernacreeve); at three
locations on the Milltown esker (Crush Bridge, Milltown, Harrystown) and one
location on the Streamstown esker (at Lissavra Big). Only the pits on the eskers
were fieldwork occurred were examined directly. Planning permission has been
granted on appeal for a new pit on the Rahugh esker at Cappinrush/Garryduff.
Plate 17 Quarry at Ballinlig (esker 2m) threatens semi-natural woodland
Fieldwork revealed that esker segments are continuing to be removed at large
pits to serve the construction industry. Small scale exploitation is increasing. On
the Streamstown esker a section of the esker was levelled to provide a site for a
new house. Nearby a farmer is levelling another narrow segment within a field.
As the extent of quarrying of eskers has increased since 2000 it is apparent that
there is increasing pressure to exploit eskers for sand and gravel. A new quarry
on the Rahugh Esker Ridge is being developed solely to provide hard core for the
M6 motorway. Neither the developers nor the authorities (both the local
authority and An Bord Pleanala) were aware that the proposed quarry is on the
esker. This is not surprising as neither have geomorpological expertise. The map
accompanying the application from the Geological Survey of Ireland contained
on outline of the esker which suggested the site was outside it. However a notice
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on the map warned users of its lack of accuracy. Even a cursory examination of
topographical data and a brief field visit would have revealed that the site was
part of the Rahugh esker ridge.
Careful supervision will be required to ensure that construction of the M6 will
not have a negative impact on eskers. As the impact of the road on the
exploitation of sand and gravel deposits was not examined as part of the EIS it is
difficult to determine 1) what are the requirements for road construction and 2)
where these materials will be obtained and 3) the environmental impact of the
removal and transport of such materials. This information should have been
requested from the developers. The EIS for the road was carried out following
current practise on EIS’s for roads (NRA, no date). It recognised some local
eskers. It stated that it would bisect a section of the Split Hills/Long Hill pSAC
esker. However this was not considered a significant impact as rare habitats
would not be affected. Therefore geodiversity values were not considered as
part of the EIS.
It can be expected that applications will be made to the local authority for borrow
pits to serve the construction of the road. Many of these may be on eskers. Over
the next year the local authority will also have to deal with the registration of all
existing operations on eskers. This offers an opportunity to develop a
comprehensive policy for esker exploitation and where permission is given to set
down conditions for operations or re-instatement.
As a general principle quarrying should be discouraged on eskers. Quarrying
leads to the removal of the entire ecosystem, sediments and biodiversity. While
old pits may now be the sites of semi-natural habitats or rare plants, the potential
for such development does not outweigh the negative impact of the loss of part
of the esker.
There are other alternatives for the extraction industry. There are massive
reserves of sand and gravel associated with other glacial deposits in the county
These deglacial features includes fans, deltas, kames, sandy and gravelly
hummocky moraine and cover an estimated nine times as much land area as the
eskers (Fig. ). They cover 73.24 square kilometres within Sheet 48 in comparison
to 931 ha of land covered by eskers. While these gravels may not be as ‘clean’ as
those in the eskers, they are more extensive than eskers and their exploitation
would take the pressure off these valuable geodiversity and biodiversity
features.
When providing for the registration of existing pits consideration should be
given to recognising the existing biodiversity value of parts of old pits or
cuttings and setting conditions which will maximise the biodiversity value of
abandoned sections. Old disused sand and gravel pits are of significant
biodiversity value. Sand martins nest in exposed sand faces. A type of (mixed)
broadleaved woodland, scrub or calcareous grassland may be present. Some
provide sites for the rarest esker plants such as red hemp nettle and bee orchid.
The mosaic of open grassland, scrub and woodland is important for bird
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diversity. In particular, they are recolonised by calcareous grassland plants that
cannot compete in the surrounding agricultural land.
Fig.4.1 Glaciofluvial sands and gravels throughout County Westmeath. Eskers
are mapped in a darker shade of green.
Mapped photogrammetrically as part of EPA Soil and Subsoil mapping project
(formerly FIPS-IFS, Teagasc, Kinsealy, 1998-2005.
There is considerable potential for habitat restoration and recreation when pits
are closed or sections abandoned. Developers should be encouraged to reprofile
these sections to generate more structural diversity and in particular to create
small wetlands. Old spoil where it exists should be used to level the old pit.
Landscaping should be discouraged unless it is necessary to improve amenity
values (i.e. near houses). Even in these areas species planted should be similar to
those already present on site. The best approach is to allow natural regeneration
to occur.
Dumping of large dry goods including cars is a problem in some small pits
which are accessible to the public. Action should be taken if the perpetrators can
be identified.
There may be pressure to infill these pits with waste including demolition waste.
This pressure should be resisted as the introduction of such material will remove
the biodiversity value of these pits and reduce their geomorphological interest.
The deposits will be obscured and landscaping or reclamation is unlikely to
provide habitats of equal biodiversity value to that which is currently present.
Using esker pits for general dumping is also problematic due to the highly
porous nature of the sediments, leading to a high risk of groundwater
contamination.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
4.1.2 Awareness of eskers and their values
Examination of the quarry application on the Rahugh esker revealed that neither
the developers agents nor the authorities were aware that the quarry was on an
esker. This lack of awareness of the location of eskers can be rectified within
Westmeath if information from the FIPS/EPA data base (particularly the esker
layer) is used to inform local development policies and planning. This data base
is in the public domain and from early 2006 it will be accessible on the GSI
website.
The booklet on eskers produced by local historian Jeremiah Sheehan ( Sheehan,
1993) is still available in Westmeath. This guide which is unique to the Midlands
provides a local introduction to esker geodiversity and biodiversity. Nature in
Westmeath (Hickie, 2005) provides an excellent introduction to the geodiversity
and biodiversity of eskers in the county. A television series produced for GG4
and recently published book (Geissel, 2006) have highlighted the value of
segments on the Clara system as part of the Sli Mhor.
The presence of eskers within the town of Athlone offers an opportunity to
highlight their significance to the significant segment of the population in
Westmeath. Eskers within the town are the sites of houses, roads. They offer
opportunities to experience esker geodiversity and biodiversity as well as
panoramic views (particularly from 35c) of the environs of the town.
Many landowners or householders encountered during the study were unaware
that their land lay on an esker (“or sand hill”). There is particular awareness of
the biodiversity value of eskers near the Rahugh Esker Ridge and of the use of
eskers as transport routes among landowners living aong the Clara esker
(traditional route of the Sli Mhor) near the Offaly border.
While farmers may not have been aware of the geodiversity and biodiversity
interest of the eskers, if they had time they were very interested in being better
informed. Most farmers and local residents are curious and want to know more
about the land or area they live in. While there is some awareness of the value of
the eskers as sites for woodland there is less awareness of the presence of old
grasslands.
The proposed provision of public access to the Split Hills/Long Hill pSAC esker
will offer particular opportunites to raise awareness of esker heritage in
Westmeath and particularly in south Westmeath. Interpretative panels will be
erected on site in 2006. NPWS provides guided walks occasionally for the public.
Awareness raising programme should focus on all sectors of society but
particularly schoolchildren, residents of Athlone and farmers. The support of
farmers in the development of an awareness raising programme to provide such
information is essential.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
4.1.3 Roads
Many important regional and local roads such as the Mount Temple to Moate
road, or the road between Killure and Streamstown run along or adjacent to
eskers. The canal south of Kilbeggan was developed within an esker. These
routeways have a unique quality. Many offer good views of the surrounding
countryside and their margins usually contain areas of wildlife interest. Where
the roads directly bisect eskers they offer convenient locations to examine
sediments and biodiversity.
While old roads respected the value of eskers as dry routeways current road
developments threaten the integrity of eskers through the exploitation of their
sand and gravel deposits.
The management of these roads for traffic should take into the account their
historical significance, the existence of exceptionally high quality hedgerows,
species rich verges and the possible presence of woodland or scrub in adjacent
fields. Hedgerow management should be carried out following the code of best
practise in hedgerow cutting.
Some of the quieter local roads could be developed as walking/ cycling routes to
explore esker heritage. They could link with walking routes (greenways) along
the disused railway line or canals to highlight industrial and natural heritage.
4.1.4 Housing development
Traditional houses were built on the sides of eskers to take advantage of their
shelter. Groups of houses in Athlone have also been built on their sides e.g.
“Retreat Ridge”. The principal Radio Eireann mast was placed on an esker
outside Athlone (35k) in the mid 20th century as it provided a high elevation for
broadcasting a signal.
Current practise of building in the countryside is a threat to eskers if it involves
significant interference with esker sediments directly or indirectly and does not
protect groundwater.
Eskers contain significant reserves of water. They are classed as ‘locally
important’ aquifers by the Geological Survey of Ireland. Where they interconnect
with other sand and gravel areas they may host enough water to be able to
supply major regional water supply schemes. Many households obtain their
water supplies from such aquifers.
However as well as being important sources of freshwater they are extremely to
highly vulnerable to groundwater pollution as sand and gravel are very porous.
Therefore householders and land managers need to be aware of the risks to
groundwater from the disposal of farmyard and household wastes directly or
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
indirectly into the eskers. Problems can arise from septic tank systems and
disposal of farm wastes.
Plate 18 Well beside the Baskin Ballinderry Esker (esker segment 25c).
4.1.5 Agriculture and forestry
Over the last 7,000 years the original woodland habitat on eskers has been
removed principally to facilitate farming. The habitats which have developed
and which are now considered to be of biodiversity value were developed under
the influence of farming. However few farmers are aware of the direct role they
play in managing biodiveristy. The maintenance of the priority habitat species
rich grassland depends on farming. If grazing stops the grassland will revert to a
less valuable type and the field will be invaded by scrub. If too much fertilizer is
applied the diversity of native species will be reduced, particularly legumes, and
the sward will be replaced by a few fast growing less valuable species.
Consultations with farmers suggested that there is little interest in further
intensification of land use. Most reclamation of scrub covered land on eskers
took place c. 40 years ago. While the rate of land improvement has slowed down
farmers want to retain control over development and have the option for
improvement. There is still a perception among some farmers that biodiversity
management means wilderness and farming prevents this occurring. Farming is
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generally compatible with the preservation of biodiversity on these eskers. There
are localised problems associated with scrub clearance, the use of woodlands for
shelter and planting of conifers. While some limited use of esker woodland is
desirable to maintain an open woodland structure, excessive poaching will
damage biodiversity as it will remove the native herb flora. Trees and shrubs
cannot regenerate as animals damage seedlings.
Any suggestions for improved biodiversity management must respect the nature
of esker biodiversity on each individual farms and the potential for management.
There is particular potential to develop an awareness raising programme work
with REPS planners who are now delivering farm plans with a specific
biodiversity option. Many REPS planners in Westmeath attended a training
course on farm plans run by the NPWS in 2005. Landowners with part of their
land in NHAs or SACs (Special Areas of Conservation) will have to join REPS or
operate under conditions laid down under a National Parks & Wildlife Service
farm plan. Farmers can currently draw down supplementary payments under
REPS for land which is in an area designated for nature conservation, provided
they adhere to guidance in their plan which aims to maintain and enhance the
biodiversity value of the protected area.
There is a need to develop strategies to communicate with the large number of
esker farmers who are not in REPS. This group do not attend training courses or
may not be very active farmers.
Of particular importance is the need to encourage active involvement in a
programme of biodiversity management by a few farmers and landowners who
hold land of high biodiversity value.
The principal change in land use is occurring not through farming but through
woodland establishment. Forestry needs more careful management on eskers.
There is increasing interest in afforesting holdings and several new plantations
were seen. While many featured broadleaved trees conifer plantations are also
common. The planting of conifers will reduce the biodiversity interest of all esker
segments and care should be taken that any planting does not remove habitats of
some biodiversity value.
4.2 Management guidelines
4.2.1 Partnership approach
The role of the Heritage Forum is to inform the community of the value of eskers
in their county. The initiatives suggested below could either be promoted
immediately by the Heritage Forum, developed as part of the County
Biodiversity Plan or implemented independently by particular members of the
Heritage Forum such as the local authority.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
The immediate priority for the Forum is to highlight the value of esker
geodiversity and biodiversity. The possession of four esker systems of
international geodiversity interest, the high diversity of habitats and plant
species should be highlighted to the public. The existence of obvious threats to
eskers from the exploitation of esker sand and gravel deposits and the potential
of alternative sources should be highlighted.
4.2.2 Formal recognition of esker heritage nationally and locally
The following initiatives are suggested;
The Heritage Forum should write formally to the NPWS of the DOEHLG
requesting that the designation of esker pNHA ‘s should proceed as a matter of
urgency as the adoption of high standards nationally will assist local initiatives.
A comment should be made on the inadequacy of the EIS for the road
development and suggesting that instructions should be given to the NRA to
ensure that the direct impacts of road developments on sand and gravel
exploitation should be considered in future studies. The scoping process
associated with road EIS’s should be reviewed (NRA, no date).
The results and conclusions of the esker survey should be publicised locally.
Copies of the survey report and habitat maps should be available to public and
landowners in the county library or on local web sites.
Discussions should take place within the Heritage Forum on the most
appropriate way to raise awareness and ensure greater protection of the
country’s esker heritage. Draft goals and objectives should be agreed.
All local development plans should be informed by a map showing the location
of eskers. These include plans produced by the County Development Board, the
County Development Plan, local area plans etc. The local authority should be the
local source of this information.
The local authority should give formal of recognition to the sites proposed by the
IGHP and others identified in this report by listing them as County Geological
Sites. These could include all sites obtaining a score of >20 in Table 3. 9
The development plan should contain a statement that local sustainable
development would be best served by the exploitation of sand and gravels from
other sources of glacial materials in the county. It should highlight the
importance of protecting the diversity of native species, habitats, landscapes on
eskers and their potential as ecological networks or corridors. Consideration
should be given to listing particular sites on other (non listed) eskers which
support semi-natural habitats as sites of local ecological interest.
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Liaison should be established with nearby counties to ensure that policies on
eskers are compatible.
4.2.3 Managing change
Within the Heritage Forum goals and objectives should be agreed for esker
conservation. The role of different agencies should be considered and an
integrated approach developed to maximize the potential of members or their
organizations to contribute to sustainable development.
The local authority has particular potential to regulate development which
requires planning permission or permits.
Every effort should be made to ensure that all pits are represented on
maps. This will require a small amount of further fieldwork to directly
examine eskers whose pits were interpreted from aerial photographs.
As quarrying is detrimental to esker heritage no new commercial
quarries should be allowed on eskers. The operations of existing
quarries should be allowed to continue within their existing footprint
but not below the water table. Quarry closure plans should be agreed
with owners which would allow for their development as areas of high
biodiversity interest. Applicants for licenses should be encourage to
consult with experts on geodiversity or environmental impacts of their
operations.
Major developments should be discouraged near eskers to protect
landscape values and water quality.
The local authority should review management practises in any eskers
under its control to ensure that these are managed according to best
practise. Consideration should be given to developing an amenity area
associated with an esker in Athlone combined with an interpretative
panel explaining its significance.
Landscaping guidelines should be provided for developers and
householders which will support esker biodiversity.
Assessment of planning applications or waste permits in pits should
consider their impact on esker conservation (particularly landscape and
water quality impacts). With respect to one-off houses, each application
that impinges on an esker must be given special attention in light of the
revised guidelines.
A working group should be set up to include local farmers, interested REPS
planners, NPWS, Forest Service, Teagasc and other stakeholders to progress
initiatives related to land use on eskers (as a sub committee of Heritage Forum?).
Possible initiatives for discussion could include:
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Production of an information leaflet summarising the important
features of eskers, listing appropriate management practises (light
grazing, retention of scrub and hedgerows, controlling grazing and
closing off of woods to cattle) and the importance of certain biodiversity
measures (under REPS 3) such as restoring hay meadows, maintaining
species rich grasslands, planting small woodlands or scrub areas
particularly adjacent to species rich hedgerows and describing how pits
should be treated.
A field based course for REPS planners on the identification of eskers,
their semi-natural habitats, particularly species rich grasslands and
discussion of appropriate measures for biodiversity under REPS3.
Promotion of the Native Woodland Scheme to landowners wishing to
manage their esker woodland or develop woodlands on eskers.
Identification of an esker REPS farm which could be used as a
demonstration site for REPS or/and esker land management.
Communicating with individual landowners such as those on the
Streamstown esker who own land of high biodiversity value.
4.2.4 Improving public awareness of esker heritage
As there were generally low levels of awareness among groups consulted for this
study on the nature, location and heritage interest of eskers improving
awareness should be an on-going objective of a campaign to support sustainable
development of eskers.
This programme should initially involve publicity and promotion of the results
of this study. In the short/medium term an educational programme should be
agreed with other partners who have particular expertise of resources. The target
group for an educational programme should include schoolchildren, geography
teachers and interested members of the public. Partners should include the
NPWS and local teachers. Initiatives could include:
Guided esker walks as part of Heritage Week events in Westmeath.
Promotion of project within schools on a typical esker butterfly (similar to
IPCC hop it project). Research in Laois revealed a large number of new
county records on eskers.
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Promotion of visits to Split Hills/Long Hill esker by school groups. These
could be guided by rangers or experts who visit local schools as part of the
INTO/Heritage Council Scheme for Heritage Experts in Schools.
Provision of training to local teachers (higher classes in primary or
specialist subjects in 2nd level) through the local teachers resource centre
(in Athlone?) inservice or summer courses. This could involve
interpretation of habitat maps, and orientation for field studies.
Provision of interpretative material or/and a permanent route/nature trail
on the Split Hills/Long Hill esker and its promotion to local schools.
A comprehensive inventory of scientific papers relating to the esker geology,
ecology, geomorphology and geodiversity of the county should be compiled and
stored within the county library (local studies section).
Research should be promoted on the cultural heritage of eskers as this aspect of
esker heritage is of particular interest to the public. A study of archaeological
sites on eskers including transport routes and placenames should be
commissioned. The NRA as promoters of new motorway should be approached
to fund this research.
In the medium term and in conjunction with initiatives to promote heritage
tourism key sites of geodiversity interest should be identified and promoted
along waking or cycling trails. Obvious partners for this initiative are the local
LEADER company, rural tourism/local development groups and landowners.
In the medium to long term the possibility of establishing a Geopark within the
area straddling the Westmeath-Offaly boundary, including the esker systems of
Split Hills/Long Hill esker, Split Hill, Clara and Rahugh, and possibly those of
Mount Temple, Horseleap, Race Course, Kilbeggan and Cappalahy, should be
examined. This initiative would require the following structures and resources:
A committee containing representatives from local government, residents,
landowners, community groups, business owners and other stakeholders.
Research on the significance of cultural resources, encompassing
buildings, structures, sites, and objects on and around the eskers.
Agreed measures and monitoring to ensure the preservation, restoration,
or protection of significant cultural resources.
Visitor services which would allow for appreciation and enjoyment of
eskers without causing damage to their valuable resources.
Appropriate re-use of structures which have associations with esker
management such as quarries, or buildings made of esker material.
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5 Conclusions
While eskers cover only a small part of Westmeath they provide the area with an
extremely rich and valuable heritage.
There are four esker systems of international geodiversity importance and
substantial areas with good quality semi-natural habitats including many sites
with the priority type calcareous grassland.
As well as being of importance for geodiversity and biodiversity the eskers
define the local landscape. An ancient road across Ireland (the Sli Mhor) ran
along eskers in this locality. They are a significant educational resource which
have inspired research but are underutilised locally. They contain signficant
reserves of sand and gravel and water. Esker land is a valuable resource for
farming. The Westmeath County Development Plan specifically recognises the
value of esker heritage and new guidelines on quarry registration refer to the
protection of eskers.
In the face of on-going and increasing pressure for development greater
consideration should be given to their geodiversity and biodiversity values. A
greater level of protection should be given to esker heritage in local development
plans. The government needs to proceed as a matter of urgency with the
designation of esker pNHA’s.
Responsibility for esker management also lies with other groups.
Farmers who own esker land, the communities who live in asssociation with
eskers and all authorities who manage development on eskers could be better
informed about the value of these items of local heritage and the impacts of their
actions.
The aspiration of maintaining esker heritage as a source of enjoyment and
inspiration for successive generations requires co-ordinated actions. The
Heritage Forum is the obvious forum to catalyse these actions.
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References
Ashley, G.M. and Warren, W.P., 1995. Irish Eskers; Origin of ice contact
straftified deposits. INQUA Commission on Formation and properties of Glacial
Deposits Symposium and field excursion handbook. Geological Survey of
Ireland, Dublin. 59pp.
Cross, T.P. and Slover, C.H., 1996. Ancient Irish Tales. Barnes and Noble, New
York, 610pp.
Cross, J. R. (1992) The distribution, character and assessment of woodlands on
esker ridges in Ireland. PRIA Vol. 92b, 1-19
Cross, J. (2004). Comment on page 98. Ireland’s Environment 2004. EPA
Cross, T.P. and Slover, C.H., 1996. Ancient Irish Tales. Barnes and Noble, New
York, 610pp.
Curtis, T.G.F. & McGough, H.N. (1988).Vascular plants. The Irish Red Data Book.
The Stationery Office, Dublin.
Daly, D. and Warren, W.P., 1989. Clara eiscir riada walk: guide. Geological
Survey of Ireland.
EU (2003). Interpretation manual of European Habitats.
Flora (Protection) Order 1999. Statutory Instrument No. 94 of 1999. The
Stationery Office, Dublin.
Fossitt, J. (2000) A guide to habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny.
Heritage Council (2005). Draft guidelines for habitat mapping.
Hickie, D. (2005). Nature in Westmeath. Westmeath Heritage Forum
Howley Harrington (2005). Conservation Plan for Durrow Abbey. Unpublished
report prepared for Offaly County Council and the Office of Public Works.
Institute of Geologists (2002)
Irish Geological Heritage Programme (2003). Geology in local authority planning
An outline guide to inclusion of geological heritage in County Development
Plans and Heritage Plans. Produced by Irish Geological Heritage Programme c/o
GSI.
Muyllaert, M. and Tubridy, M. (2005). Esker survey of County Laois.
Unpublished report prepared for the Laois Heritage Forum.
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O’ Sullivan, A. (1982). The lowland grasslands of Ireland. Irish Vegetation
Studies. RDS.
Parkes, M. (2004). Natural and cultural landscapes: The geological foundation.
Proceedings of a conference, 9-11 September 2002, Dublin Castle. Royal Irish
Academy.
Preston, C. D., Pearman, D. A. and Dines, T. D., eds (2002). New Atlas of the
British and Irish Flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Scannell, M. and Synott, D.M (1987). Census catalogue of the flora of Ireland.
Stationary Office, Dublin.
Sheehan, J. (1993). The eskers of Ireland. Occasional papers of the Moate
Historical Society.
Stace, C. (1997) New flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press,
London.
Tubridy, M. and O Riain, G. (2002). Ecological Networks. Unpublished report for
the National Spatial Strategy/EPA.
Tubridy, M and Meehan, R. (2005). Study to Establish the Extent, Location of
Eskers and Associated Habitats in Co. Westmeath: An Action of the Westmeath
Heritage Plan. Unpublished report produced for Westmeath Heritage Forum and
Westmeath County Council.
Webb, D. A., Parnell, J. & Doogue, D. (1996) An Irish Flora. Dundalgan Press,
Dundalk
White, J. and Doyle, G. (1982). “The Vegetation of Ireland – A Catalogue
Raisonne” in Irish Vegetation Studies. Royal Dublin Society.
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Appendix 1
Glacial features other than eskers in the Westmeath
landscape
Eskers are defined by the fact that they are steep-sided, sinuous ridges that have
been formed in ice walled channels, either beneath glacier ice or beneath open
sky between bodies of glacier ice, during deglaciation (ice melting). From this,
there are many other landforms which may appear in some sense to be eskers,
but which are not. Generally these other landforms are also hummocky and
ridge-like, and are regularly composed of sands and gravels or gravelly tills, but
have been deposited by completely different deglacial processes. Many of such
landforms occur in Westmeath. A brief summary of these landforms, which in
some senses looks like eskers but are not, follows.
Linear moraines.
Mostly, moraines are composed of debris transported to the glacier front and
accumulated there, and may consist of debris that was pushed by the ice, flowed
off it, was dumped by the ice at its’ edge, or was deposited at the edge of the ice
by water, either under air or into water. The area of Westmeath does possess
linear ridges comprised of sands and gravels which were deposited at the edge
of the glacier ice under air and into water. These are especially common around
Tyrellspass and Kilbeggan. Their form may suggest that they are eskers, but
they were not formed in tunnels and are therefore not.
Hummocky moraine.
Hummocky moraine is a non-genetic term describing landforms characterised by
an irregular landscape of large or small hummocks, ridges and collapse features.
The material within these hummocks may be any type of sediment that had
collected on the ice surface, including till, glaciofluvial sands and gravels or even
glaciolacustrine silts and clays. If the material is till, the area is broadly labelled a
‘moraine’. If it is glaciofluvial, the term kame is preferred.
Hummocky moraine is especially common in Westmeath. The sand and gravel
spreads around Athlone, Tyrellspass and Raharney-Killucan are comprised of
hummocky moraine, as is the area in the north of the county close to
Ballymahon. Good examples of hummocky tills occur on the flanks of the Hill of
Uisneach. Some of these hummocks look linear, are steep sided, and may seem
to be eskers with respect to their form, but they are not.
Outwash Fans.
Outwash fans are deposited in front of a stationary ice margin, with the apex of
each fan centred at a point at which meltwater emerges. The coarse material is
deposited relatively close to the meltwater’s exit from the ice by the water, with
the finer fraction transported far from the glacier. The fans often have steep
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sides, especially if they were once supported by an ice wall, but usually have
gradual slopes on other flanks. These fans are common in the Midlands, with
some fine examples around Athlone. Again, they are not ‘eskers’, despite the
fact that they may have steep sides and appear to be so.
Kames and kettle holes.
Kames are a product of sedimentation in traps along meltwater drainage routes
through glaciers. They may form in lakes and pools within the glacier or in
uphill sections of englacial or supraglacial tunnels, or in debris rich bands within
the ice which are crossed by a stream. When the ice melts these deposits are
lowered onto the ground surface and become mounds of glaciofluvial sediment,
which are the ‘kames’. They are somewhat like rounded or haphazard ‘blobs’ of
esker segments.
The kame features may be conical, flat topped, elongated or irregular and can
occur singly or in small or large groups. They are commonly interspersed with
kettle holes, which are rounded depressions left after buried blocks of dead ice
melt during or shortly after deglaciation. When the ice melts in these ‘kettle
holes’ the gravel caves in around it. Topography with many features such as
this, and hummocky moraine topography, is often termed ‘kame and kettle’, or
‘dead ice’ topography.
Kames are often associated with eskers and may make up hummocks around
and close to the linear esker features. Kettle holes within these areas generally
assumed lacustrine (lake) conditions during and after ice melt, and silt and clay
has often been deposited in their floors. Therefore the ‘hollows’ close to and
around eskers may be poorly drained owing to this, or may even have lakes
and/or fens occupying their bases where the water table now breaks their
surface. In particular cases the lakes may act almost as turloughs, where the
water occupies the base in winter, but the base then becomes dry as the water
table lowers in summer.
In kettle holes/hollows that have thick sequences of clay at their base, peat may
have formed since deglacial times.
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Appendix 2
Soils associated with eskers
Soil types on eskers may be quite variable. Generally, soils are mineral-derived
and shallow, but other soils types do occur.
Rendzina soils
Rendzinas are one of the most common soil types found on eskers in Westmeath.
These soils are considered shallow as they are less than 50cm deep. They are
derived from parent material that contains over 40% carbonates. The surface
horizon is dark coloured with a well developed structure and a neutral or
alkaline reaction. A calcareous ‘B’ horizon may be present but generally the ‘A’
horizon directly overlies the calcareous parent material.
Rendzina soils generals occur on the esker summits, shoulder and upper
backslopes. A humic, gravely, loamy sand texture is commom with moderately
developed granular structure at the surface. The subsurface horizon has a
gravely coarse sand texture, single grain structure and uncompact consistence.
The profiles are generally very calcareous throughout. The soils are prone to
drought, even after short dry periods, due to rapid permeability and poor waterholding capacity. Land-use is also restricted owing to the morphology of the
esker crests. The soil generally supports vegetation of poor pasture grasses,
mixed herbs and scrub.
Brown earths of hi-base status soils
These are well drained soils with generally uniform profiles and little
differentiation into horizons. They may be deep or shallow, but on eskers they
are generally shallow (less than 50cm deep), and often occupy the mid- to lower
backslopes of the eskers.
Brown earths have not been extensively leached or degraded with the result that
there are no obvious signs in the profile of removal and depositon of materials
such as iron oxides, humus or clay. On eskers the soils are freely drained and
have a moderately wide use range, being limited only by shallowness, drought
risk and, in places, by slope. The soils can be grazed early and late without
serious risk of poaching, and they are suited also to malting barley as well as
pasture.
Grey-brown podzolic soils
Grey brown podzolic soils have a significant increase in clay in the ‘B’ horizon
relative to the ‘A’. They have relatively deep profile development and are up to
1m deep. They occur rarely on the eskers, but may be present in clayey ‘pods’
within the features. From this, it is rare that these soils will occupy extensive
portions of the esker features.
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Gleys, peaty gleys and peats.
Gleys are poorly drained, saturated soils. Classically that are not associated with
esker features, but they may occur in the footslopes and toeslopes of the features,
especially if the water table breaks the surface there for all or part of the year
(groundwater gleys). They have a grey, reduced colour, and are susceptible to
poaching owing to their saturated condition.
Peaty gley soils are gleys with an organic horizon over 30cm thick. In areas
where basin peats have developed in hollows between eskers, the peat may have
overgrown much of the esker morphology itself, so peat soils may even occur
high on esker backslopes, as well as on the footslopes and toeslopes.
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Appendix 3
Identification of the priority type “orchid rich
grassland”
The methodology was informed by an examination of the EU manual (EU 2003)
and literature on grassland ecology.
According to the Interpretation Manual (EU 2003) the priority type calcareous
grassland fulfils one of the following three criteria:
(a) The site hosts a rich suite of orchid species
(b) The site hosts an important population of at least one orchid species
considered not very common on the national territory
(c) The site hosts one or several orchid species considered to be rare, very rare or
exceptional on the national territory
The habitat is also expected to contain some of the following plant species
Anthyllis vulneraria, Arabis hirsuta, Brachypodium pinnatum, Carex caryophyllea,
Carlina vulgaris, Centaurea scabiosa,Leontodon hispidus, Ophrys apifera, O. insectifera,
Orchis mascula, O. morio, O. mascula,, Primula veris, Sanguisorba minor and Bromus
erectus.
No formal phytosociological analysis has been undertaken on calcareous
grassland communities in Ireland (Cross 2004). A brief description is provided
in Fossit (2000). There are several references in the literature on the ecology of
this type of habitat in the context of broader work on Irish vegetation. According
to Fossitt (2000) the more calcareous grasslands which might approximate to the
priority habitat type are characterised by the presence of Knautia arvensis,
Anthyllis vulneraria, Antennaria dioica, Blackstonia perfoliata, Sanguisorba mino,
Carlina vulgaris.as well as orchid species, including Ophrys and Orchis sp.
Some guidance on the nature of the flora associated with eskers is provided by
several papers in Irish Vegetation Studies (O’ Sullivan, 1982) and to a lesser
extent in a follow up paper ( White and Doyle, 1982).
Austin O’Sullivan’s paper places grasslands on limestone eskers and moraines in
the midlands in the Festuco-Brometea class(Br.-Bl. et Tx. 1943 em. Tx.1961) and
within this in the order Brometalia erecti Br.-Bl. 1936. Important character
species of both the class and order are – Anthyllis vulneraria, Helictrichon
pubescens, Blackstonia perfoliata, Centaurea scabiosa, Bromopsis erecta, Leontodon
hispidus, Carlina vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Koeleria macrantha, Gentianella
amarella, Sanguisorba minor, Sesleria coerulea. Significantly, O’Sullivan comments
that only a limited number of stands belonging to this order had been described
by the author and that on midland eskers and moraines these communities on
the tops of these limestones gravel deposits pass over to communities of the
Centaurea-Cynosuretum sub assoc.galietosum around their base. The extent of
more general soil cover appears to be the major influencing factor in this
transition.
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In pps 135/136 of the same paper O’Sullivan places “moderate-quality pastures,
rich in weeds and poor-yielding grasses” which occur widely in midland
counties in the class Centaureo-Cynosuretum Br.-Bl. et Tx.1952. Differential
species from the Lolio-Cynosuretum would be Hypochoeris radicata, Carex flacca,
Lotus corniculatus, Centaurea nigra, and Luzula campestris. Because of variations in
soil depth and drainage O’Sullivan recognises several sub-associations of which
sub assoc. Galietosum which is mainly confined to shallow, well-drained soils
derived from Carboniferous Limestone is the one most appropriate in the context
of the esker study. Important differential species of this sub-association areRanunculus bulbosus, Primula veris, Agrimonia eupatoria, Trisetum flavescens, Galium
verum, Pimpinella saxifrage, Daucus carota. Medicago lupulina, Briza media and
Helictotrichon pubescens. Even within the Lolio-Cynosuretum class found on
highly fertile soils O’Sullivan(p136) includes some of these latter species in a sub
association Brometorum which can occur locally on shallow well drained soils of
varied origin.
Within the Festuco-Brometea class O’Sullivan also includes a sub-alliance EU
Mesobromenion to include the Antennarietum hibernicae Br,-Bl.et Tx 1952 in
which the character species are Antennaria dioica and Polygala vulgaris.
O’Sullivan notes that the distinctive features of this sub association are “the high
constancy and abundance of the herb Antennaria dioica, the frequency of Polygala
vulgaris and the presence of a large diversity of herbs characteristic of lime-rich
soils. He also comments that on the sides of the steeply sloping eskers where
they occur these Antennaria communities often have a terraced appearance due
partly to centuries of use as permanent grazings.
In the absence of an appropriate classification system for grasslands a pragmatic
approach can be taken which identifies species rich calcareous grasslands if it
contains species which are known to be associated with this type of habitat or
orchids.
The identification of fields with species rich grassland (wet and dry) to inform
actions under the Countryside Management Scheme in Northern Ireland
(www.dardni.gov.uk) is based on the presence of more than five species from a
list of thirty nine in six out of ten random 1 sqm in a field.
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Appendix 4
Mapping eskers by the Forest Inventory Parcel
System-Irish Forest Service/Environmental
Protection Agency Mapping Project
Mapping was completed in three stages:
•
•
•
Initial compilation of existing data;
Mapping using photogrammetry;
Field work for verification of mapping.
Initial compilation of subsoil data.
The mapping of subsoils involves the integration of a number of suites of data.
Initially, all available Quaternary (i.e. glacial) information for the county being
mapped is compiled and any relevant information on sediments is portrayed on
a paper 1:50,000 map. The most important of these sources were the National
Soil Survey Map for County Westmeath (Finch et al., 1977), the National esker
map of the Geological Survey of Ireland (Glanville and Warren, 1995), and
Quaternary sediment maps of County Westmeath, mapped by the Geological
Survey of Ireland, where available.
Photogrammetric mapping of subsoils.
Following this initial compilation of these data, boundaries between sediment
types are interpreted and mapped using photo-interpretation in a soft copy
photogrammetric station with digital stereo-pairs of black and white
photography (acquired in 1995 at a scale of 1:40,000) using ATLAS software.
Boundary polygons are therefore accurately located in the Irish National Grid in
three dimensions. In areas where previous mapping has taken place and data
have been compiled in the initial stages of work on that county the boundaries
are re-digitised within the ATLAS domain. This ensures the accuracy of the
boundaries on the finished map and ensures they pertain to the landforms and
deposits that they are supposed to.
While mapping the minimum unit depicted is about 30m x 30m for some esker
segments i.e. 900 square metres (although some units are smaller). This is at
quite a detailed scale. Over the remainder of the subsoil map, units are generally
no more than 100m x 100m across, equating to a mapping scale of around
1:50,000. The ATLAS coverage consists of lines, that constitute polygons, and
text labels. The completed ATLAS file for each county is exported as a DXF file.
This is imported into ERDAS Imagine software where the linework is cleaned
and built into a full GIS polygonal coverage. While the file is exported from
ATLAS an algorithm converts the 3D subsoil coverage into 2D to be used as a
map theme for subsequent display and analysis in ArcView GIS software.
The classification of subsoils on the subsoils maps mimics the classification used
by the Geological Survey of Ireland Quaternary Section in mapping Quaternary
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sediment types. This classification has been altered only to ensure further utility
to the requirements of the EPA Soil and Subsoil Mapping Project. Eskers are
mapped as part of this classification as ‘eskers dominated by acidic sands and
gravels’ and ‘eskers dominated by basic sands and gravels’. Only eskers
dominated by basic sands and gravels occur in County Westmeath, as limestone
dominates the gravel material there.
Field programme for verifying eskers as part of the current project.
The preliminary identification of subsoil boundaries within the photogrammetric
medium means that problem areas, can be focused on during fieldwork. The
field mapping also allows for the checking of the ground for areas mapped
during the photogrammetric analysis, and is therefore crucial in increasing the
accuracy and defensibility of the maps. Only reconnaissance field mapping of the
eskers was carried out during the EPA project.
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Appendix 5 Information leaflet used in 2006
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Appendix 6 Checklist of esker plants
Acer pseudoplatanus
Achillea millefolium
Aegopodium podograria
Agrostis capillaris
Agrostis stolonifera
Ajuga reptans
Alchemilla filicaulis
Alchemilla xanthochlora
Alliaria petiolata
Alopecurus pratensis
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Anagallis arvensis
Anemone nemorosa
Antennaria dioica
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Anthriscus sylvestris
Anthyllus vulneraria
Arctium minus
Arrhenatherum elatius
Arum maculatum
Asplenium ruta muraria
Asplenium trichomanes
Bellis perennis
Betula pubescens
Blackstonia perfoliata
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Briza media
Bromopsis erecta
Bromopsis ramosa
Bromus hordeaceus
Buxus sempivirens
Calluna vulgaris
Cardamine impatiens
Cardamine pratensis
Carex caryophyllea
Carex disticha
Carex flacca
Carex hirta
Carex nigra
Carex panicea
Carex pulicaris
Carex sylvatica
Carlina vulgaris
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea scabiosa
Centaurium erythraea
Cerastium conglomeratum
Cerastium fontanum
Circea lutetiana
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium vulgare
Clematis vitalba
Conopodium majus
Coryllus avellana
Cotoneaster integrifolius
Crataegus monogyna
Cynosusus cristatus
Dactyllorhiza fucshii
Dactyllorhiza maculata ssp ericetorum
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Appendix 6 Checklist of esker plants (contd)
Dacyllis glomerata
Danthonia
Daucus carota
Dryopteria dilitata
Dryopteris felix mas
Elytrigia repens
Euonymous europaeus
Euphrasia arctica spp borealis
Fagus sylvatica
Fallopia japonica
Festuca arundinacea
Festuca pratensis
Festuca rubra
Filipendula ulmaria
Fragaria vesca
Fraxinus excelsior
Galium aparine
Galium odoratum
Galium palustris
Galiun verum
Geranium robertianum
Geranium dissectum
Geum urbanum
Glechoma hederecea
Glyceria pedicillatus
Gymnadenia conopsea
Hedera helix
Helictotrichon pubescens
Heraclium sphondylium
Hieracium pilosella
Holcus lanatus
Hyacinthoides nonscriptus
Hypericum androsaemum
Hypericum pulchrum
Hypericum tetrapterum
Hypochaeris radicata
Ilex aquilifolium
Juncus acutiflorus
Juncus articulatus
Juncus conglomeratus
Juncus inflexus
Knautia arvensis
Koeleria macrantha
Lamium album
Lapsana communis
Lathyrus pratensis
Leontodon autumnalis
Leontodon hispidus
Leontodon taraxacoides
Leucanthemum vulgare
Linum catharticum
Listera cordata
Listera ovata
Lolium perene
Lonicera periclymenum
Lotus corniculatus
Luzula campestris
Lysimachia nemorum
Malus sylvestris ssp sylvestris
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Appendix 6 Checklist of esker plants (contd)
Medicago lupulina
Melica uniflora
Mentha aquatica
Moehringia trinervia
Mycelis muralis
Neottia nidus avis
Odontites vernus
Ophrys apifera
Orchis mascula
Origanum vulgare
Oxalis acetosella
Papaver dubium
Papaver rhoes
Pedicularis sylvatica
Phalaris arundinacea
Phleum bertolonia
Phleum pratense
Phyllitis scolopendrium
Pilosella officinarum
Pimpenella saxifraga
Plantago lanceolata
Plantago major
Platanthera biflolia
Platanthera chlorantha
Poa annua
Poa compressa
Poa pratensis
Poa trivialis
Polygala vulgaris
Potentilla anglica
Potentilla anserina
Potentilla erecta
Potentilla reptans
Potentilla sterilis
Primula veris
Primula veris X vulgaris
Primula vulgaris
Prunus spinosa
Pteridium aquilinum
Quercus robur
Ranuncula bulbosus
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculus auricomus
Ranunculus bulbosus
Ranunculus ficaria
Ranunculus repens
Rhinanthus minor
Ribes uvacrispa
Rosa arvensis
Rosa canina
Rubus fruticosus agg
Rumex acetosa
Rumex sanguineus
Sagina apetala
Sagina procumbens
Salix aurita
Salix cinerea spp oleifolia
Salix fragilis
Sambuccus nigra
Sanicula europaea
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Appendix 6 Checklist of esker plants (contd)
Schoenus nigricans
Scrophularia nodosa
Senenio jacobea
Sieglingia decumben
Silene dioica
Sisymbrium officniale
Solanum dulcamara
Sonchus oleraceus
Sorbus aria
Sorbus hibernica
Stachys sylvatica
Stellaria graminea
Stellaria holostea
Stellaria media
Succisa pratensis
Symphoricarpos albus
Taraxacum off
Thymus drucei
Tilia sp
Torilis japonica
Trifolium dubium
Trifolium dubium
Trifolium pratense
Trifolium repens
Triglochin palustris
Trisetum flavescens
Tussilago farfara
Ulex europaeus
Urtica dioica
Urtica urens
Veronica chamaedrys
Veronica montana
Veronica serpyllifolia
Viburnum opulus
Vicia cracca
Vicia sepium
Viola rechenbachiana
Viola odorata
Viola riviniana
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Appendix 7
Summary accounts of all esker systems
Map foldout numbers refer to A3 Discovery maps on which esker systems superimposed
Esker 1 Finnea - Murrens Esker
Maps no. 3.2
The Finnea to Murrens esker system has been nominated by the IGHP as a
pNHA. It is particularly long and has a total of twenty three segments. It
extends over x km and runs south east from Finnea through Castletown and
ends in the vicinity of Ballymanus village. Town lands include Finnea,
Williamstown (E.D. Finnea), Castletown Upper, Castletown Lower, Tonyowen
Lower, Tonyowen Upper, Littlewood, Ballymanus, Robinstown, Balrath (Fore
By), Knockarrow, Sheskernagh, Tonashammer,
Signs of three pits were seen. The pit at Balrath is starting to recolonise, and a
rehabilitated quarry also at Balrath has some interesting GS4.
The principal features of biodiversity interest are good quality GS1 at Littlewood,
while Tonashammer is perhaps the most interesting segment of this esker system
with good examples of WL1 and WN2.
Biodiversity of interest along sections
1a
9.51
Scrub and good hedgerow with mature trees
1b
8.41
1c
2.12
TN1 WS2, most 1c has been planted in WS2 apart from steep slope on south side
of ridge see TN2
TN2 GS1 low diversity GS1 on steep bank, vegetation dense and long dominated
by Holcus lanatus, also some bracken and nettles.
1d
5.35
Narrow strip of woodland along road
1e
1.33
Nothing of interest
1f
1.52
Nothing of interest
1g
0.72
Nothing of interest
1h
2.97
Good mosaic of old scrub, grassland and woodland to east.
1i
1.9
TN1 GA1, was WS1 of furze, hazel and blackthorn, but reclaimed for grazing
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1j
6.02
This segment goes through farmland of very improved agricultural grassland,
but there are still some cowslips according to owner. Land is grazed if not cut
for silage. Scrub on ringfort.
TN1 Nettle and docks within GA1
1k
4.06
TN1 WS1 brambles, furze and nettles, the rest of 1k was in receipt of fertiliser up
to the year 2000.
TN2 WS1 furze, some hazel and hawthorn
1l
1.55
Very little of esker left, now a disused quarry though was in use until recently.
The small bit that remains is GA1, WL1 and a very thin strip of GS1 at the top of
north face of quarry. Three pools (FL5, TN2) have formed on the quarry floor,
one of which supports some aquatic vegetation. Part of the hedgerow also exists
(TN4). In places vegetation has begun to colonise the slopes (ED3, TN1) of the
quarry. In the next field east of esker there is a pond with GS4 around it some of
which is part of the esker (TN3). The remainder of the quarry is mostly bare with
a couple of damp areas that have been colonised species included red fescue,
sedges, and long-stalked cranesbill (Geranium columbinum).
Photographs 1 l Balrath 01, 02, 03
Geranium columbinum
TN1 ED3, the vegetation is mainly GS1, though sparse as yet. Lots of caterpillars
of cinnabar moth on the ragwort. Frogs. Some of species growing on ‘imported
fill’.Photograph 1l Balrath quarry fore by quarry cinnabar caterpillar
Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Bramble
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Broad leaved dock
Rumex obtusifolius
Broad-leaved pondweed
Potomageton natans
Brooklime
Veronica beccabunga
Bulrush
Typha latifolia
Canadian pondweed
Elodea canadensis
Clover
Trifolium repens
Common bent
Agrostis capillaris
Common mouse ear
Cerastium fontanum
Common sorrel
Rumex acetosa
Creeping bent
Agrostis stolonifera
Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens
Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens
Creeping thistle
Cirsium arvensis
Daisy
Bellis perennis
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Hedge woundwort
Stachys sylvatica
Lesser spearwort
Ranunculus flammula
Marsh thistle
Cirsium palustre
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Marsh willowherb
Epilobium palustre
Thistle
Cirsium dissectum
Meadow thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Perennial rye grass
Lolium perenne
Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea
Red clover
Trifolium pratense
Red fescue
Festuca rubra
Silverweed
Potentilla anserina
Soft rush
Juncus effusus
Soft thistle
Sonchus oleraceus
Southern lady’s mantle
Alchemilla filicaulis
Spear thistle
Ranunculus acris
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
Sweet grass
Glyceria sp.
Sweet vernal
Anthoxanthum odoratum
TN2 FL5
TN3 GS4 water hen
Water forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides
Water horsetail
Equisetum fluviatile
Yorkshire fog
Holcus lanatus
TN4 WL1 Hedgerow ivy suffering possibly from drought, but cattle also shelter
here on narrow strip of poor GS1 that has not been quarried (north of quarry).
The other part of the hedgerow on the west of quarry is gappy and bare on
bottom and hazel dominant.
Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
Bramble
Urtica dioica
Cleavers
Galium aparine
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Dog rose
Rosa canina
Elder
Sambucus nigra
Hart’s-tongue fern
Phyllitis scolopendrium
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Hazel
Corylus avellana
Herb robert
Geranium robertianum
Ivy
Hedera helix
Male fern
Dryopteris filix-mas
Meadow grass
Poa sp.
Privet
Ligustrum vulgare
Stinging nettle
Cirsium arvensis
Tufted vetch
Vicia cracca
Yorkshire fog
Holcus lanatus
1m
1.15
TN1 GS1 – small bit of nice GS1 on old part of the esker, the remainder of the
esker was excavated and then filled in. It is quite interesting GS4, fairly wet with
bryophytes, speckled wood and small white butterflies, common sympetrum
dragonfly.
Photoraphs ‘1m Balrath fore by GS1 restoration quarry ’01, 02
TN2 GS4
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Clover
Common cotton grass
Creeping bent
Creeping buttercup
Giant fescue
Great willowherb
Lesser spearwort
Marsh bedstraw
Marsh marigold
Marsh pennywort
Marsh thistle
Marsh valerian
Meadow buttercup
Meadowsweet
Mint
Perennial ryegrass
Purple moor grass
Ragwort
Selfheal
Sharp flowered rush
Silverweed
Soft rush
Water horsetail
Willow
Willowherb
Trifolium repens
Eriophorum angustifolium
Agrostis stolonifera
Ranunculus repens
Festuca gigantea
Epilobium hirsutum
Ranunculus flammula
Galium palustre
Caltha palustre
Hydrocotyl vulgaris
Cirsium palustre
Valeriana officinalis
Ranunculus acris
Filipendula ulmaria
Mentha sp.
Lolium perenne
Molinia caerulea
Senecio jacobaea
Prunella vulgaris
Juncus acutiflorus
Potentilla anserina
Juncus effusus
Equisetum fluviatile
Salix sp.
Epilobium sp.
1n
3.53
TN1 GS1 heavily grazed
TN2 GA1 plus nettles
TN3 WD1 – large beech tree
1o
7.5
BL3 includes part of a pig farm, however, the majority of the esker has been
recently planted with WS2. Old woodland cleared?
1p
1.36
Habitats were GS2, WS1 and WS2. GS2 and WS1 have colonised a disused
quarry. WS1 bramble and furze. WS2 covered at least two thirds of the esker.
1q
2.64
Photographs ‘1q Toneyowen Upper GS1 O1
TN1 GS1*, some good GS1 3 – 4 pairs of Little gulls
Annual meadow grass
Poa annua
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
Bramble
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Burnet-saxifrage
Pimpinella saxifraga
Carnation sedge
Carex caryophyllea
Clover
Trifolium repens
Cock’s-foot
Dactylis glomerata
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Common bent
Common mouse ear
Common sorrel
Creeping bent
Creeping buttercup
Creeping thistle
Crested dog’s-tail
Downy oat-grass
Field scabious
Furze
Germander speedwell
Hazel
Hoary plantain
Knapweed
Lady’s bedstraw
Meadow buttercup
Meadow foxtail
Meadow thistle
Meadow vetchling
Mountain everlasting
Narrow leaved plantain
Ox-eye daisy
Perennial ryegrass
Pineapple weed
Quaking grass
Ragwort
Red bartsia
Red clover
Red fescue
Rough hawkbit
Salad burnet
Selfheal
Silverweed
Slender St. John’s-wort
Soft sow thistle
Sweet vernal
Timothy
Tufted vetch
Velvet bent
Wild carrot
Yarrow
Yellow oat-grass
Yorkshire fog
Agrostis capillaris
Cerastium fontanum
Rumex acetosa
Agrostis stolonifera
Ranunculus repens
Cirsium arvense
Cynosurus cristatus
Helictotrichon pubescens
Knautia arvensis
Ulex europaeus
Veronica chamaedrys
Corylus avellana
Plantago media
Centaurea nigra
Galium verum
Ranunculus acris
Alopecurus pratensis
Cirsium dissectum
Lathyrus pratensis
Antennaria dioica
Plantago lanceolata
Leucanthemum vulgare
Lolium perenne
Matricaria discoidea
Briza media
Senecio jacobaea
Odontites vernus
Trifolium pratense
Festuca rubra
Leontodon hispidus
Sanguisorba minor
Prunella vulgaris
Potentilla anserina
Hypericum pulchrum
Sonchus oleraceus
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Phleum pratensis
Vicia cracca
Agrostis canina
Daucus carota
Achillea millefolium
Trisetum flavescens
Holcus lanatus
TN2 WS1 scrub is bare underneath from cattle going through it, used for shelter
from cold winds.
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1r
2.5
TN1 WS1 of blackthorn, furze and hawthorn with a little bit of hazel
Photographs 1r Ballymanus WS1 01
TN2 GS1 – poor quality and difficult to be sure its GS1 as it has been cut very
short, however, the grass along field margins is GS1.
1s
4.7
TN1 GS1 with small amounts of WS1 beginning to invade, some of it not great as
there is lots of nettles and other coarse species. There is a good cover of moss in
parts. GS1 did improve to the west of the south face of the esker where it was
not so steep and the following species were recorded see below, along with
hundreds of tiny white lipped snails and meadow brown butterflies. On the top
of the ridge Perennial rye grass dominated the GA1.
Photographs 1r Ballymanus GS1 01, 02, 03
Common centaury
Centaurium erythraea
Quaking grass
Briza media
Red fescue
Festuca rubra
Rough hawkbit
Leontodon hispidus
Wild carrot
Daucus carota
Yellow oat grass
Trisetum flavescens
TN2 GS2 resulting from dung being dumped here resulting in lots of nettles and
thistles
1t
0.78
1u
3.15
1v
21.66
Is not getting any fertilizer, is used for grazing by cattle, and also makes a small
bit of hay. Not much of the ring fort left , but there is some GS1 on it. Rabbits
everywhere. WS1 is mainly hawthorn and furze.
TN1 FL5 is churned up as cattle have free access to it.
TN2 GS1 also churned up by cattle, and quite a few ruderal species are found in
with GS1 species. Creeping thistle, docks and nettles dominate. In addition,
dung dumped on ringfort.
1w
This is one of the longest segments of this esker system with 14 different habitats.
The most interesting of these was WN2 (TN1), however, it was churned up in
places by cattle and bare ground amounted to 70% in places on the north side of
the lane. The ground flora was less disturbed on the southern side, ivy
dominated the ground flora, and ash regeneration was good.. There was also a
very good example of species rich hedgerow.
Was unable to check the end of west in particular the excavated bit as permission
could not be obtained. so did what was possible from road and with binoculars.
The scrub on the part of the esker with cutting exposed was dominated by hazel.
TN1 WN2
Ash
Fraxinus excelsior seedlings
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Barren strawberry
Blackthorn
Bracken
Bramble
Bugle
Bush vetch
Cuckoo pint
Dandelion
Early purple orchid
Enchanter’s nightshade
False brome
Germander speedwell
Hawthorn
Herb bennet
Herb robert
Hogweed
Ivy
Male fern
Marsh thistle
Meadow thistle
Meadowsweet
Orchid
Primrose
Privet
Ragwort
Rough meadow-grass
Southern lady’s mantle
Stinging nettle
Strawberry
Tufted vetch
Violet
Willowherb
Wood sorrel
Woodruff
Potentilla sterilis
Prunus spinosa
Pteridium aquilinum
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Ajuga reptans
Vicia sepium
Arum maculatum
Taraxacum officinale
Orchis mascula
Circaea lutetiana
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Veronica chamaedrys
Crataegus monogyna
Geum urbanum
Geranium robertianum
Heracleum sphondlylium
Hedera helix
Dryopteris filix-mas
Cirsium palustre
Cirsium dissectum
Filipendula ulmaria
Dactylorhiza sp.
Primula vulgaris
Ligustrum vulgare
Senecio vulgaris
Poa trivialis
Alchemilla filicaulis
Urtica dioica
Fragaria vesca
Vicia cracca
Viola sp.
Epilobium sp.
Oxalis acetosella
Galium odoratum
TN2 GA1, but could develop to GS1 with management. Currently it is being
fertilized possibly with slurry.
TN3 ED1 cutting through esker
Photographs 1w Tonashammer cutting WS1 01, 02
TN4 WL1 very good dense hedgerow that is species rich on both sides of the
lane. Species recorded from the 2 sides also. Hazel dominated
Photographs 1w Tonashammer road on esker 01, 02
Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Barren strawberry
Potentilla sterilis
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Black bent
Agrostis gigantea
Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
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Bramble
Bush vetch
Cleavers
Cock’s-foot
Common bent
Creeping bent
Dandelion
Dog rose
Downy birch
Downy oat-grass
Elder
False brome
False oat-grass
Field scabious
Germander speedwell
Giant fescue
Goat willow
Great willowherb
Grey willow
Hawthorn
Hazel
Hedge woundwort
Herb robert
Hogweed
Ivy
Knapweed
Lady’s bedstraw
Lesser spearwort
Marjoram
Marsh valerian
Meadow vetchling
Perennial ryegrass
Pignut
Primrose
Privet
Raspberry
Red fescue
Rough meadow-grass
Selfheal
Sharp flowered rush
Smooth meadow-grass
Stinging nettle
Sweet vernal
Sycamore
Timothy
Tufted vetch
Water horsetail
Willow
Yarrow
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Rubus fruticosus agg.
Vicia sepium
Galium aparine
Dactylis glomerata
Agrostis capillaris
Agrostis stolonifera
Taraxacum officinale
Rosa canina
Betula pubescens
Helictotrichon pubescens
Sambucus nigra
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Arrhenatherum elatius
Knautia arvensis
Veronica chamaedrys
Festuca gigantea
Salix caprea
Epilobium hirsutum
Salix cinerea
Crataegus monogyna
Corylus avellana
Stachys sylvatica
Geranium robertianum
Heracleum sphondylium
Hedera helix
Centaurea nigra
Galium verum
Ranunculus flammula
Origanum vulgare
Valeriana officinalis
Lathyrus pratensis
Lolium perenne
Conopodium majus
Primula vulgaris
Ligustrum vulgare
Rubus idaeus
Festuca rubra
Poa trivialis
Prunella vulgaris
Juncus acutiflorus
Poa pratensis
Urtica dioica
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Acer pseudoplatanus
Phleum pratensis
Vicia cracca
Equisetum fluviatile
Salix sp.
Achillea millefolium
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Yellow rattle
Yorkshire fog
Rhinanthus minor
Holcus lanatus
Esker 2 ‘The Crags’ Esker
Map No 3.2
This system stretches from Robinstown Upper about 3.5 km north of
Castlepollard east to the Meath border covering land in the following townlands:
Stonestown (Fore By), Corbally, Carpenterstown, Balnavine, Kilvar, Newtown,
Balling, Kilrush Upper, Paristown, Cloran and Corculentry)
Three pits including an active one at Newtown. Of particular interest are the
2 large WN2 woodlands in Ballyling – need further investigation
Photograph ‘Paristown harvest’01
Biodiversity on segments
Sections
Area (ha)
2b
2.02
Old farmhouse with some WD2 beside it. Low level of management in the
immediate vicinity of house.
Ash
Elder
Lawson’s cypress
Fraxinus excelsior
Sambucus nigra
Chamaecyparis lawsonianna
2c
3.09
Adjacent to Lough Glore. Derelict hedgerow, closely cut or grazed GA1 the
dominant habitat type along with some WL1.
2d
3.76
Adjacent to Lough Glore. Mostly GA1 apart from small section of GS1
2e
0.33
GA1 is main habitat with lesser amount of GS1 which is dominated by gasses
and Galium verum.
2f Largely intact segment apart from a small pit (ED2)
TN1 WS1
1.5
TN2
Furze scrub (WS1) dominating with pockets of GS1 in between it.
2g
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
TN3 Gravel removed and now area for dumped cars.
TN4 GS1*
Bank adjacent to road with GS1, good cover of bryophytes
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Brown bent
Agrostis capillaris
Burnet-saxifrage
Pimpinella saxigfraga
Downy oat-grass
Helictotrichon pubescens
Field scabious
Knautia arvensis
Quaking grass
Briza media
Red fescue
Festuca rubra
Salad burnet
Sanguisorba minor
2h
35.96
Large segment but mostly is GA1 that is in receipt of fertiliser and all grazed.
TN1 GS1, with WS1 starting to encroach on it.
TN2 - short length of WL2 containing ash and hazel.
TN3 WN2 mainly ash, hazel with gorse in shrub layer
2i
10.1
Active quarry and block making business, very well kept ordered site. Talked at
length with owner. Areas of GA1 all fertilised.
TN1 GS1 Not the most exciting but not bad, the area is quite small, but owner
says it will not be disturbed. Species included:
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Field scabious
Knautia arvensis
Red fescue
Festuca rubra
Wild carrot
Daucus carota
TN2 ED2
Topsoil removed prior to quarrying, to be replaced once quarry is exhausted as
part of planning conditions.
2j
19.27
Second largest segment of this esker system, with almost half of it covered in
WN2. Was on private land and could not locate owner, but did see some of it
from road. Owner has removed part of the esker and is using it to raise the level
of the site his new house has been built on. Site was wet and the infill area was
previously GS4. There is also a small pool
TN2 – which has not been filled in. It is adjacent to infilled area and it eutrophic
(FL5). Photographs ’2j Balling ED3 and FL5’ 01;
’2j Balling ED3’ 01 and 02;
2k
2.22
2l or is this m see maps
10.54
2m or is this l see maps
0.82
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Photographs’ 2m Balling WN2 quarry ‘ 01, 02, 03; ‘2m Balling GS1 quarry, WN2’
01.
Most of this segment is covered in WN2. Cattle have been prevented from
grazing in the wood and it has a good dense ground flora. This applies to either
side of the N52 road. This segment also crosses the minor road. On the eastern
side there is a small piece of WN2 , mainly ash.
TN1 Small area once excavated for gravel, sides steep and exposed. Floor in GS1.
Photographs ‘2m Balling GS1 quarry small’ 01 and 02
2n
0.91
Esker 3 Castlepollard - Delvin Esker
Map No’s 3.3 and 3.9
The Castlepollard to Delvin Esker starts in Killshallow just east of Lismacaffry
(North of the R395) passes by the north east of Lough Derravagh and the
Pakenham estates at Tullynally. It breaks than for some 10 km or so resuming
just south of Lough Lene and continues in a south east direction until it ends in
Scurlockstown north west of Delvin.
Town lands include Kilshallow, Simonstown (Fore By), Williamstown,
Pottiaghan Commons, Ballymacartan, Templepatrick, Clonnalynagh, Coolure
Demesne, Cummerstown, Portjack, Clonteens, Bananstown, Scurlockstown,
Mabestown, Stonestown (ED Clonarney), Moyleroe Little, Moyleroe Great,
Robinstown Little, Mitchelstown, Lisclogher Great.
Features of particular interest include:
Mature examples of WD1, WD2 beside the Packenham estate in Tullynally and a
ringfort occupying the entire area of an esker segment at 3 h near Lough Adeel in
Bananstown. A raised bog has developed on the esker segment 3l near Bookers
Lough Coolure House has been built in the shelter of an esker.
Photographs ’3 Portjack oak on road’ 01 and 02.
Biodiversity along segments
Sections
3a
Area (ha)
1.08
3b
0.4
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
3c
11.63
TN1 possible set-aside (BC5), previous yr had been sown with maize up to the
slope of esker. Stone wall on south side of road on esker with a few hawthorns
scattered along it. Is a reasonable grass verge of GS2.
TN2 Good GS2 verge on south side of road by fence
TN3 On north side of the road the WL1 is gone and replaced with a timber post
and rail fence. Photos ‘Simonstown fore’ 01, showing removal of fence and side
of esker . Esker side quite steep here. Looks as if the top of the ridge has been
flattened and the gravel etc pushed down the slope. ED3 with GS1
TN4 GS1 occurring on gentle slope with some WS1 encroaching. Farm receiving
v. Little fertiliser
Photographs ‘3C Coolure Demense GS1, WS1’ 01, 02
Good cover of bryophytes
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Barren strawberry
Potentilla sterilis
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
Bramble
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Carnation sedge
Carex caryophyllea
Cock’s-foot
Dactylis glomerata
Common centaury
Centaurium erythraea
Common mouse ear
Cerastium fontanum
Creeping bent
Agrostis stolonifera
Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens
Creeping thistle
Cirsium arvense
Crested dog’s-tail
Cynosurus cristatus
Curled dock
Rumex crispus
Daisy
Bellis perennis
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Dog rose
Rosa canina
Downy oat-grass
Helictotrichon pubescens
Fairy flax
Linum catharticum
Germander speedwell
Veronica chamaedrys
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Hogweed
Heracleum sphondylium
Knapweed
Centaurea nigra
Meadow buttercup
Ranunculus acris
Meadow thistle
Cirsium dissectum
Mountain everlasting
Antennaria dioica
Narrow leaved plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Nipplewort
Lapsana communis
Ox-eye daisy
Leucanthemum vulgare
Perennial ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Primrose
Primula vulgaris
Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea
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Red clover
Red fescue
Slender St. John’s wort
Smooth meadow grass
St. John’s- wort
Stinging nettle
Sweet vernal
Timothy
Velvet bent
White clover
Wild carrot
Yarrow
Yorkshire fog
Trifolium pratense
Festuca rubra
Hypericum pulchrum
Poa pratensis
Hypericum sp.
Urtica dioica
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Phleum pratensis
Agrostis canina
Trifolium repens
Daucus carota
Achillea millefolium
Holcus lanatus
TN5 cut stone wall (BL1A) on either side of the road
3d
7.55
TN1 Mature WD1 with small areas of GS1, but mostly GA1 at the edge of field
and field itself. Cattle have access to wood, therefore no ground flora just bare
ground.
Photographs ‘Coolure Demense WD1 and GS1’ 01
Field maple
Acer campestre
Pedunculate oak
Quercus robur
Sycamore
Acer pseudoplatanus
Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Horse chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
TN2 ED1 exposed side of cutting in esker. Farmhouse and garden built in
excavated area. The lawn in the front of the house nearest the road is GS1.
Photographs ‘Coolure Demense WD1 and cutting’ 01
3e
7.77
TN1 WD2 Mature woodland with dense under storey of laurel, hazel, hawthorn,
ivy, elder elm and blackthorn. No obvious ground flora due to dense
understorey.
Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Horse chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
Larch
Larix decidua
Pedunculate oak
Quercus robur
Scot’s pine
Pinus sylvestris
Sycamore
Acer pseudoplatanus
TN2 WD1 dominated by Norway spruce
TN 3 Small bit of e at the western end removed
TN4 WD2 of oak and spruce
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
TN5 GS1 of poor quality
3f
1.69
3g TN1 GS1 poor species diversity
1.65
3h the ring fort is still part of h with some GS1 on the slopes, however the top has
been fertilised – is quite level and is now GA1. Hawthorns on top 0.43
3i western side of esker is too steep to cut or to fertilise, but is grazed by sheep.
Lots of bryophytes also grasshoppers. The hedgerow is dominated by hawthorn.
Photographs ‘3i Cumerstown GS1, 3h in the background’ 01 ; 3i Cummerstown
GS1 and Lough Adeel’ 01
0.48
GS1
Annual meadow grass
Poa annua
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
Carnation sedge
Carex caryophyllea
Cock’s-foot
Dactylis glomerata
Common bent
Agrostis capillaris
Common mouse ear
Cerastium fontanum
Common sorrel
Rumex acetosa
Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens
Creeping cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans
Creeping thistle
Cirsium arvense
Crested dog’s-tail
Cynosurus cristatus
Fairy flax
Linum catharticum
Furze
Ulex europaeus
Ivy
Hedera helix
Knotweed
Polygonum aviculare
Meadow thistle
Cirsium dissectum
Narrow leaved plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Perennial rye-grass
Lolium perenne
Pineapple weed
Matricaria discoidea
Primrose
Primula vulgare
Quaking grass
Briza media
Red clover
Trifolium pratense
Red fescue
Festuca rubra
Spear thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Sweet vernal
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Timothy
Phleum pratensis
Tufted vetch
Vicia cracca
Violet
Viola sp.
White clover
Trifolium repens
Yorkshire fog
Holcus lanatus
3j
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
3k
0.22
3l
18.94
Checked from aerial only and small bit from road, ring fort appears to be still
there with GA1, and a few individual shrubs possibly hawthorn. Most of l is
covered in recently planted plantation of mix of broadleaves and conifers. Raised
bog (PB1) between WS2 and Bookers Lough was not checked. Could not find
owner and laneway was overgrown. Worth further investigation.
3m
0.43
3n
0.98
Has been cleared of WS1 and seeded with GA1. The few existing planted ash are
still there.
3o
11.75
TN1 Wl1 with WS1 growing out from it on its south side. There is a narrow strip
of GS1 ~ 1 m in width at the bottom of the esker slope. On the north side of the
WL1 there is small area of WD1 of beech and ash and then scrub again.
TN2 WD2 poor under storey and ground flora consisting mostly of nettles, herb
robert, herb bennet and false wood brome. Also bryophytes
3p
2.36
TN1 WD1 originally a beech wood, but now has some ash in it also. Little light
reaches the lower layers of the wood and in addition cattle have access to it.
Therefore no ground flora apart from patches of nettles. Bare soil dominates.
The shrub layer consists of a few hollies and hawthorns, making it very easy to
walk through. Some evidence of bluebells. Has potential if cattle access
managed.
3q
1.92
3 q is mainly dominated by GA1, but GS1, WN2, WD1, ED2 arising from small
scale excavations and a tree line (WL2) are the other habitats on this esker.
3r
0.29
3s
0.89
3t
2.46
3u
1.54
TN1 WN1 on low ridge not more than 1 m or so. Could not find a way in past
the bull, but did look over fence and use binoculars. Wood is surrounded by a
drain with water – cattle use it for drinking. Wood seemed quite dry with
mature Betula pubescens and Salix cinerea the main species. Furze and bramble
dominated shrub layer whilst the ground flora was mostly grasses. Cattle have
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access, but it did not appear to be too churned up. Worth further investigation
without the bull in attendance!. Owned by Mrs Danis of Stonestown – was not in.
Esker 4 Clonmellon Esker
Map No. 3.5
This system goes from the N52 south of Clonmellon to east to the Meath border.
Town lands include Kilrush Upper, Mount Nelson, Cloran and Corculentry
Nine different habitats were recorded from this system, (GA1, WL1, GS1, WN2,
WS1, FL5, WD1, BLIA and WD2).
Features of interest were GS1 IN Cloran and Corculentry and WN2 at Mount
Nelson
Sections
Area (ha)
4a
3
Agricultural grassland and hedgerows were the only habitats on this segment.
4d
7.93
On either side of the road there was GS1. However, on the side which is not
shown on map a tiny part of the esker has been removed (Photo: 4d Kilrush
Upper GS1 no aerial, other side of the road 01). The remainder of 4d that was
surveyed was intact (Photo: 4d Kilrush Upper GS1 N1 01 and 4d Kilrush Upper
GS1 N1 01)
4e
0.67
4i
1.81
4j
2.4
Fertiliser applied to GA1 but less than normal. The other habitats on this esker
furze scrub and hedgerows.
4k
2.97
Receiving fertiliser but not much and part of the ridge has some GS1.
Photographs ‘4k Corculetry GS1’ 01
TN1 GS1
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Burnet-saxifrage
Pimpinella saxifraga
Cock’s-foot
Dactylis glomerata
Common bent
Agrostis capillaris
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Common mouse-ear
Common sorrel
Cowslip
Creeping buttercup
Crested dog’s-tail
Downy oat-grass
Field scabious
Knapweed
Lady’s bedstraw
Mountain everlasting
Narrow leaved plantain
Ox-eye daisy
Perennial ryegrass
Quaking grass
Ragwort
Red clover
Red fescue
Rough hawkbit
Salad burnet
Soft sow thistle
Stinging nettle
Sweet vernal
Timothy
Yarrow
Yellow oat-grass
Yorkshire fog
TN2 Scattered hawthorn bushes
TN3 Area prone to flooding
Cerastium fontanum
Rumex acetosa
Primula veris
Ranunculus repens
Cynosurus cristatus
Helictotrichon pubescens
Knautia arvensis
Centaurea nigra
Galium verum
Antennaria dioica
Plantago lanceolata
Leucanthemum vulgare
Lolium perenne
Briza media
Senecio jacobaea
Trifolium pratense
Festuca rubra
Leontodon hispidus
Sanguisorba minor
Sonchus oleraceus
Urtica dioica
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Phleum pratense
Achillea millefolium
Trisetum flavescens
Holcus lanatus
4l
3.02
A small part of the esker has been excavated but most has recolonised with GS1,
the remainder is ED2. At the back of the quarry the WN2 has some Salix caprea
growing in it.
Photographs 4l Corclentry WN2 bark damage’ 01; 4l Corculentry WS1 quarry
small’ 01.
4m
1.23
Wood is fenced off as owner is in REPS. As a result good ground cover
dominated by ivy and herb robert. Regeneration occurring. Old badger set in
wood and remaining wall of an old cut limestone stone house.
Photographs ‘4m Corculentry WN2’ 01, 02, 03
TN1 WN2
Ash
Barren strawberry
Beech
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Fraxinus excelsior
Potentilla sterilis
Fagus sylvatica
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Blackthorn
Bramble
Broad buckler fern
Broad-leaved willowherb
Bush vetch
Cleavers
Cock’s-foot
Cowslip
Creeping bent
Dandelion
Dandelion
Dog violet
Elder
Enchanter’s nightshade
False brome
Furze
Germander speedwell
Golden-scaled male fern
Hart’s-tongue fern
Hawthorn
Herb bennet
Herb robert
Hogweed
Holly
Honeysuckle
Ivy
Knapweed
Male fern
Pignut
Primrose
Red fescue
Rose
Slender St. John’s-wort
Soft shield fern
St. John’s-wort
Stinging nettle
Violet
Willowherb
Wood anemone
Wood dock
Wood meadow-grass
Wood sedge
Prunus spinosa
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Dryopteris dilatata
Epilobium montanum
Vicia sepium
Galium aparine
Dactylis glomerata
Primula veris
Agrostis stolonifera
Taraxacum officinale
Taraxacum officinale
Viola canina
Sambucus nigra
Circaea lutetiana
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Ulex europaeus
Veronica chamaedrys
Dryopteris affinis
Phyllitis scolopendrium
Crataegus monogyna
Geum urbanum
Geranium robertianum
Heracleum sphondylium
Ilex aquifolium
Lonicera periclymenum
Hedera helix
Centaurea nigra
Dryopteris filix-mas
Conopodium majus
Primula vulgaris
Festuca rubra
Rosa sp.
Hypericum pulchrum
Polystichum setiferum
Hypericum sp.
Urtica dioica
Viola sp.
Epilobium sp.
Anemone nemorosa
Rumex sanguineus
Poa nemoralis
Carex sylvatica
Esker 5 Carynbrogan Esker
Map no. 3.4
Esker system with one segment near south east of Clonmellon.
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Principally occupied by old planted woodland which has been neglected and has
more natural characteristics. New plantations nearby.
Esker 6 Battstown Esker
Map no.s 3.2 /3.9
Esker system principally over 9km south east of Delvin in the following
townlands Battstown, Williamstown, Gigginstown, Culvin, Ballynakill and
Parcelstown townlands.
Features of interest include priority type GS1* at northern end of 6f and 6m,
species rich grassy margins along road on top of 6f,
Segments of particular interest are:
6a and 6b habitats include GA1, GS4 (Potentilla anserina, Juncus
effusus, Juncus conglomeratus, Agrostis stolinifera, Holcus lanatus, Potentilla
erecta), FW4, WS1, WL2.
6c and d Low intensity management with some wet grassland.
6e Immediately adjacent to site of ringfort.
6f Habitats GS1, GS1*, WS3, BL3, WS1, GA1, FW4, BL1, WL2, GS2
TN1 = Hedgerow on grassy verge.
TN2 = WS1 (Gorse scrub)
TN3 = GS1 (Achillea millefolium, Briza media, Festuca rubra, Agrostis
stolonifera, Cyanosurus cristatus, Lotus corniculatus, Briza media, Centaurea
nigra, Knautia arvensis, Succisa pratensis, Galium verum)
TN4 = Old stone wall (BL1), Fraxinus hedge and grassy verge (GS1*)
TN5 = WL2 & FW4
TN6 = WL1 & bank (Torilis japonicus, Viccia sepium, Viccia cracca, Stachys
sylvatica, Agrostis stolinifera,Heracleum sphondylium, Galium aparine, Rubus
fructicosus agg. )
TN7 = Crataegus hedge (WL1) for 10m, then GS1* grassy verge (Briza
media, Centaurea nigra, Knautia arvensis, Succisa pratensis, Galium verum &
Scrophularia nodosa!), then WL1, then regular grassy verge (GS2).
TN8 = WD2 with GS1 on edge.
Segment G, habitat GA1
Segment H habitats including GA1, WL1, WS1
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Segment I habitats including GA1, WS1, FW4, GS1, WL2, ED1, WL1
TN1 = 3 bulls in field!! Viewed from fence
Segments J, K, L habitats including GA1, WL1 (Faxinus excelsior, Quercus
robur, Fagus sylvatica, Crataegus monogyna, Geranium robertanium, Briza
media, Viola riviniana, Primula vulgaris, Hedera helix)
Land flattened, or will be soon, planning permission sign up. Parts of field reseeded. Should be included in planning conditions to maintain old
hedgerow/treeline
Segment M habitats include GA1, GS1, GS1*(Briza media, Festuca rubra,
Cynosurus cristatum, Carex caryophyllea, Pimpinella saxifrage, Knautia
arvensis, Lotus corniculatus, Agrostis stolonifera, Galium verum, moss) GS4,
ED3, WS1, WL1. Excellent examples of GS1*. Land grazed by horses. Under
threat from conversion to riding arena &/or sand/gravel excavation.
Segment N habitats WS1 with GS1.
Adjacent field being turned into horse arena.
Segment O habitats GA1, GS1*, WS1, WL1 (Polystitchum setiferum, Geum
urbanum, Hedera helix, Viola riviniana, Rosa canina, Crataegus monogyna,
Rubus fruticosus agg.)
Segment P habitats include WS1, GS1, WL1
Segment Q habitat GA1
Segment R habitat GA1
Segment S habitat GA1 and probably GS1
Segment T habitats GA1, WL1, FW4, BL3, WS1 and probably GS1.
Segment U GA1
Segment W habitat WS2 (immature ash plantation)
Coillte owned land on site of old plantation.
Segment X & Y two small segments rising above surrounding bogland. Track
through bog used eskers. Now has WS1, ED3
Esker 7 Cavestown Esker (1)
Map No. 3.4/3.5
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Short esker system extending over 2km south east of Delvin in the townlands of
Clonagh and Cavestown.
Features good diversity for a small area. One small old pit.
Much planting of broadleaves.
Esker 8 Cavestown Esker (2)
Map No. 3.4/3.5
Two segments in Cavestown/Rosmead with woodland. Newly planted and old
woodland.
Old woodland should be surveyed.
Esker 9 Cavestown Esker (3)
Map No.3.4/3.5
One segment in Cavestown partly with old broadleaved woodland.
Esker 10 Cavestown Esker (4)
Map No.3.4/3.5
One segment dominated by semi natural vegetation.
Esker 11 Clonarney-Addistown Esker
Map No.3.4/3.5
Extends over four Km from south of the Inny River at Cammagh to Addinstown
west of Lisclougher cross roads.
11a ouse sheltered by esker with old planted woodland to east which includes a
farm road providing access to fields
11b-g of little interest.
Esker 12 Johnstown Ballyhealy Esker
Map No.3.9
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Extends over 6 km from Johnstown Cross roads south west of Delvin to
Ballyhealy Bridge. Townlands include Johnstown,
Features very long narrow high segment 800ft extending over 3.5 km with old
woodland and scrub on its steep slopes.
Segments a-e of little potential interest and not examined directly. Following
segments examined by Con Breen.
12f comprises mainly scrub with occasional Ash(Fraxinus excelsior),
Hawthorn(Crataegus monogyna), Elder(Sambucus nigra) and Holly(Ilex aquifolium)
grading on the southern fringe into unimproved grassland (Fossit GS1) and on
the north into a shaded sheep trampled clayey slope with a very poor ground
flora on bare clayey soil. Occasional Wood Avens(Geum urbanum) and
Germander Speedwell(Veronica chamaedrys) were noted. This scrub mainly
comprises Gorse(Ulex europaeus) on the eastern fringe where it grades into wet
grassland (Fossit GS4) on improved fen peat (Soil Map of County Westmeath, An
Foras Talúntais, 1977) (Grid N 596610).
An area of Birch(Betula pendula) woodland (Fossit WN6) occurs nearby at Grid N
596611..
12 G contains Gorse(Ulex europaeus) at the western end, in turn leading to dense
Bramble(Rubus fruticosus) dominated ground cover with Ash(Fraxinus excelsior),
Hawthorn(Crataegus monogyna) and occasional planted Beech(Fagus sylvatica)
with many of the trees covered in dense Ivy(Hedera helix) (Fossit WS1). Where
the canopy is relatively open, the ground flora, although degraded by sheep
access, includes Primrose(Primula veris), Herb Robert(Geranium robertianum),
Germander Speedwell(Veronica chamaedrys) and Wood Avens(Geum urbanum)
and the common woodland moss, Thuidium tamariscinum(Grid N 603614).
Along the esker ridge, there has been some clearance associated with recent fence
construction while portion has also been cleared where an electricity supply line
crosses the easker. Remnants of an earlier stone wall also occur at intervals on the
ridge marking a possible land boundary. At point N 605613, after a break in
the esker ridge in the vicinity of a dwelling, the ridge develops a steeper profile
notably on the southern side. This slope, together with an electric fence on the
south side, appears to have prevented access by livestock. Although broadly
classified as scrub(Fossit WS1) comprising Ash(Fraxinus excelsior) and
Hawthorn(Crataegus monogyna), species such as Hart’s Tongue Fern(Phyllitis
scolopendrium) and Soft Shield Fern(Polystichum setiferum) were noted on this
portion of the esker. A small excavated section of the esker near a roadside
house shows a profile comprising small boulders overlying gravely material
largely of calcareous origin – eskers further north in Co Westmeath contain
shaley material.
12 H, east of the roadside at Grid N 608612, shows a well developed esker profile
with extensive woodland dominated by Ash(Fraxinus excelsior) with other tree
species including Beech(Fagus sylvatica), Holly(Ilex aquifolium) and
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Hawthorn(Crataegus monogyna)(Fossit WD1). Presence of older tree stumps and
frequency of Ash saplings suggest selective long-term removal of trees in the
past – no recent tree removals noted. Ground flora poor because of access by
livestock, probably sheep. This wood is one of the more extensive in the area
with a well developed canopy and is worthy of preservation. This wood thins
out at its eastern edge into unimproved grassland(Fossit GS1) bordered by
hedgerow(Fossit WL1) with occasional Beech, Ash, Hawthorn and Ulex(Fossit
WS1). Remaining segment of this esker eastwards to road on north side of
arable field comprises unimproved grassland (Fossit GS1) followed by
scrub(Fossit WS1) with Ash, Gorse and Bramble being the main species fringed
on the north side by hedgerow (Fossit WL1). A small disused gravel pit (Fossit
ED1) occurs by a track leading south from the paved road at N 616611.
The remainder of this esker segment runs generally in an easterly direction
parallel to the road from Grid N 616610 to Grid N 628603 at Drummanroe. It has
been cleared and still comprises unimproved grassland(Fossit GS1) with some
scattered Hawthorn. A small section of scrub(Fossit WS1) occurs at N 626604
while another small gravel pit, not recently used, was noted on the southern side
of the esker at N625605 . The esker profile is particularly well developed for a
major part of this section and provides a notable landscape feature to the south
of the road rising to some 10 to 15 m above the lower ground.
Esker 13 Raharney Esker
Map No. 3.9
Extends over 7km from Turin cross roads to north of Raharney on the River Deel.
Features scrub on 13d and e. The River Deel goes through the segment 13j (but
non interesting habitats here) and unimproved grassland on 13l.
Esker 14 Castletown-Ballynagore Esker
Map No. 3.7/3.12/3.15
BSBI records from Esker Segment 14a(2)
Southern end of this esker has some old quarry faces, a grassy ridge and an old
grassed over pit. Evidence of leached soils is indicated by the presence of
Molinia coerulea on the grassy esker slope. List of esker species includes the
following:Anacamptis pyramidalis
Briza media
Carex caryophyllea
Carlina vulgaris
Centaurea erythraea
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Danthonia decumbens
Daucus carota
Gymnadenia conopsea
Helictotrichon pubescens
Knautia arvensis
Lathyrus pratensis
Leontodon hispidus
Linum catharticum
Listera ovata
Lotus corniculatus
Pimpinella saxifraga
Succisa pratensis
All segments mapped from fieldwork
Large esker system. Townlands include Barrettstown, Rathdrisoge, Castletown
(Moycashel By), Ballyhast, Killinlahan, Ballybrennan, Lissakilly, Knockycosker,
Knockmore and Aghrassy.
Ringfort adjacent to 19c. and kettle hole on other side.
19d had mixed wood in OS map.
14f segment supported mixed woodland in recent past (OS map)
Sand arena for horses at 14g,
Brosna river GS1* beside Brosna river, embankments
WS1 has pockets of GS1*
Holding attached to Knockmore House is mainly on eskers, many covered in
scrub. Woodland being planted on the land, some broadleaves on the slopes of
eskers where soils deep.
Quarries two active small ones. Operated by local farmers for their own use?
One shown on OS map marked as quarry.
TN1 GS1 (road verge)
Achillea millefolia
Alliaria petiolata
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Anthyllus vulneraria
Briza media
Bromus mollis
Carex caryophyllea
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Carex flacca
Dactyllus glomerata
Daucus carota
Galium verum
Helictotrichon pubescens
Holcus lanatus
Hypericum tetrapterum
Hypochaeris radicata
Knautia arvensis
Lotus corniculatus
Origanum vulgare
Pilosella officinarum
Poa pratensis
Primula vulgaris
Prunus spinosa
Ranunculus bulbosus
Trifolium pratense
Trifolium repens
Vivia sepium
TN2 GS1
Achillea millefolium
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Briza media
Carex flacca
Centaura nigra
Cirsium arvense
Cynosusus cristatus
Dactyllus glomerata
Daucus carota
Festuca rubra
Helictotrichon pubescens
Holcus lanatus
Hypochaeric radicata
Knautia arvensis
Leontodon sp
Leucanthemum vulgare
Luzula campestris
Pimpenella saxifraga
Plantago lanceolata
Poa pratensis
Potentilla reptans
Prunus spinosa
Ranuncula bulbosus
Rosa canina
Rubus fruticosus
Senecio jacobea
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Westmeath Esker Study 2006
Sonchus sp
Trifolium repens
Veronica chamaedrys
TN3 WL1
Acer pseudoplatanus
Aegopodium pod
Arum maculatum
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Carex flacca
Coryllus avellana
Crataegus monogyna
Dryopteris felix mas
Endymnion non scripta
Euonymous europea
Festuca pratensis
Fraxinus excelsior
Galium odoratum
Geranium robertianum
Lathyrus pratensis
Lonicera
Melica uniflora
Origanum vulgare
Prunus spinosa
Rosa canina
Sambuccus nigra
Snowberry
Stellaria holostea
Vicia sepium
TN3 GS1* `(pocket of GS1* in mainly scrub)
Antennaria dioica
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Briza media
Carex caryophyllea
Carlina vulgaris
Festuca rubra
Fragaria vesca
Galium verum
Helictotrichon pubescens
Heracleum sphondyllium
Holcus lanatus
Hypericum tetrapterum
Knautia arvensis
Leontodon hispidus
Leontodon hispidus
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Lotus corniculatus
Pilosella officinarum
Pimpenella saxifraga
Plantago lanceolata
Polygala vulgaris
Potentiall erecta
Primula veris
Trifolium dubium
Esker 15 Paslickstown Esker (Ballynacarrigy-Ballina
Esker)
Map No. 3.6/3.7/3.9/3.12/3.13
Nine segments in the townlands of Kildallan, Kildallan North, Parcellstown and
Tuitestown 6km west of Mullingar and including a segment adjacent to the
Royal Canal in Tuitestown.
Features priority grassland on several segments and semi natural habitats
adjacent to the Canal (scrub, wet grassland and
15a habitats include ED1, BL3, GS1 (Galium verum, Achillea millefolium Centaurea
nigra, Anthoxanthanum odoratum, Stellaria media, Medicago lupulina, Veronica
serpyllifolia,moss) GA1 (lg. part dominated by Heracleum & Cirsium), ED2 (bare),
GS4 (Potentilla anserina, Holcus lanatus, Ranunculus acris, Trifolium pratense, Carex
sp. Cirsium palustre).
15b habitats GA1, WL1, ED3, ED4, GS1, BL3
New house currently being built in field (BL3), with materials being extracted
on site (ED4) and previously (ED3). Remaining GS1 in good condition,
however under threat, likely to become garden for house.
15c habitats include GA1, WL1, BL3, & FW4. Species poor roadside
verge (Holcus & Scutch dom). Hedgerow & ditch (Fraxinus, Ilex aquifolium,
Crataegus monogyna{trees}, Rosa canina., Rubus frut agg., Sycamore,
Fillipendula, Agrostis stolinifera, Polystitchum setiferum, Heracleum
sphondylium, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Veronica serpyllifolia).
TN2 = Cratagus monogyna copse.
TN3 = GS4, outside esker boundary.
15 d habitats WS1, ED3 (Tussilago farfara, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio jacobea,
Urtica dioica, Plantago lanceolata), GS1* (Anthoxanthum odoratum, Linum
catharticum, Leucanthemum vulgare, Carex flacca, Pimpinella saxifrage, Knautia
arvensis, Succisa pratensis, Centauria scabiosa, Briza media, Holcus lanatus, Leontodon
hispidus)
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15e habitats GA1, WL1, FW4 (Hedgerow & ditch {dry} – Crataegus
monogyna, Hedera helix, Rosa canina, Malus sylvestris, Rubus fructicosus
agg., Fraxinus, Heracleum sphondylium, Polypodium vulgare,), GS1, GS1*
(Galium verum, Viccia cracca, Trifolium dubium, Primula vulgaris, yellow
rattle, Succisa pratensis, Centaurea nigra, Lotus corniculatus, Daucus carota,
Cynosurus cristatus Knautia arvensis, Briza media, Agrostis stolonifera,
Pimpinella saxifrage), FW4, WN2 .
GS1* in excellent condition, entire field high in biodiversity (GS4 or GM1
outside esker), potentially under threat as many people have offered to buy
the land
15f habitats include GA1 with pockets of GS1 (Lotus corniculatus, Ranunculus
acris, Achillea millifolia, Leucanthemum vulgare, Trifolium repens, Circium arvense) on
ridge & east. WS1 (Crataegus dominated wood <5m high, some Fraxinus). FW4,
WN4 (Fraxinus dom. Crataegus, Rubus fruticosus, Primula vulgaris, Fillipendula
ulmaria, Apium nodiforum, Impatiens glandulifera, Carex remota).
15g (N of road) habitats mainly GA1 with pockets of GS1, WL1 (Crataegus
monogyna), ED3 (Agrostis stolonifera, Bellis perennis, Euphrasia sp., Plantago
lanceolata, Tussilago farfara – no exceptional species), ED4.
Pit & surrounds to be resown & grazed.
Segment g (s of road) habitats of GA1, WS1, WL1, WL2, GS2 and GS1* (Lotus
corniculatus, Briza media, Centaurea scabiosa, Daucus carota, Knautia arvensis, Festuca
rubra, Leontodon hispidus, Plantago lanceolata, Potentilla erecta, Trifolium scabrum).
15h habitats WS1, GA1, WL1, GA2
TN1= Crataegus scrub
TN2= Fraxinus hedgerow, overgrown
TN3= Rubus, Crataegus scrub
Segments i&j habitats WS2 (Fagus, Betula, Acer), WD4, WS1 (Ulex &
Crataegus dominated), FW4 (Equisetum fluvitale, Fillipendula ulmaria,
Epilobium hirsutum, Potentilla anserina, Salix spp.), BL3.
Esker 16 Streamstown Esker
Map No. 3.6/3.7/3.11/3.12
Particularly long esker 13km long from Moyore to south of Streamstown. Townlands
include Williamstown, Pottiaghan Commons, Ballymacartan, Templepatrick,
Clonnalynagh, Ballinacurra, Killeenerk, Killure Church, Lissavra Big Clonyrina,
Killeenag, Killeagh Creeve and Streamstown
Species previously recorded by BSBI in woodland in 16r
Orchis mascula
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Orchis morio
Anthyllus vulneraria
Leontodon hispidus
Antennaria dioica
Ophrys apifera
Danthonia (now Sieglingia
Linum catharticum
Daucus carota
Helictotrichon pubescens
Notes from fieldwork in segments carried out in 2006
16a
0.16
This segment has cutover bog (PB4) on either side of it. Part of the esker has been
removed and the exposed ground is recolonising (ED3). The remaining part of the
segment is ~ 1 -1.5 m higher than the ED3 and adjacent cutover bog.
TN1
ED3 used as a road to the bog, vegetation growing back is diverse with a mixture of
ruderal, PB4 and GS species. Photographs ‘17u Ballinacurra looking at t and ED3’ 01
and 02
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
Colt’s-foot
Tussilago farfara
Common spotted orchid
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Common thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Creeping bent
Agrostis stolonifera
Creeping cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans
Creeping thistle
Cirsium arvense
Crested dog’s-tail
Cynosurus cristatus
Daisy
Bellis perennis
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Eared willow
Salix aurita
Hogweed
Heracleum sphondylium
Knapweed
Centaurea nigra
Lesser stitchwort
Stellaria graminea
Ling
Calluna vulgaris
Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea
Silverweed
Potentilla anserina
Smooth meadow grass
Poa pratensis
Soft rush
Juncus effusus
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Sweet vernal grass
Violet
Willow
Yorkshire fog
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Viola sp.
Salix sp.
Holcus mollis
TN2
HD1
Photographs ‘17t Ballincurra PB4 HD1 ED3’ 01 - 03
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
Furze
Ulex europaeus
Purple moor grass
Molinia caerulea
Rosebay willow herb
Epilobium angustifolium
Sweet vernal grass
Anthoxanthum odoratum
TN3 WS2 area had been burnt but has now regrown
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Bramble
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Creeping bent
Agrostis stolonifera
Devilsbit scabious
Succisa pratensis
Pedunculate oak
Quercus robur
Perennial ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Rosebay willowherb
Epilobium angustifolium
Yorkshire fog
Holcus mollis
TN4
PB4 not on esker but beside it
Photographs ‘17t Ballincurra PB4 HD1 ED3’ 01 - 03
Autumn hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
Bramble
Rubus fruticosus agg.
Congested woodrush
Luzula multiflora ssp. Congesta
Creeping cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans
Cross-leaved heath
Erica tetralix
Downy birch
Betula pubescens
Furze
Ulex europaeus
Heath woodrush
Luzula multiflora
Lesser stitchwort
Stellaria graminea
Ling
Calluna vulgaris
Purple moor grass
Molina caerulea
Rosebay willowherb
Eriophorum angustifolium
Sharp flowered rush
Juncus acutiflorus
Sheep’s sorrel
Rumex acetosella
Soft rush
Juncus effusus
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
Sweet vernal
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Velvet bent
Agrostis canina
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16b
2.28
Narrow esker part of which is adjacent to bog, according to owner it has never received
fertiliser, and most of grass is GS1. there is a drainage ditch (FW4), cutting through the
esker that exposes some of the sand and gravel.
Photographs ‘17u Ballinacurra cutting FW4’ 01 and 02.
16c
0.12
Nothing of interest, habitats were GA1and WD1
16d
0.71
Nothing of interest, habitats were GA1 and WS1
16e
0.17
Nothing of interest, habitats were GA1 and WS1
16f
3.04
Nothing of great interest, habitats were GA1, WLI, BL3, WS1, ED2
TN 1WS1 Furze and hawthorn with 1 large ash
16g
5.26
Five habitats (WL1, WS1, ED2, GA1 and GS1), nothing remarkable about any of them.
TN1 WL1 derelict hedgerow, top heavy and bare on bottom
16h
3.97
Four habitats (WL1, GS1, GA1,WS1).
TN1 GS1 with furze and blackthorn scrub encroaching.
TN2 WS1 – mature hawthorn, with the occasional oak and furze bush, at edge is poor
GA1.
16i
7.13
Six habitats (GA1, GS1, GS4, FW4, WL1 and WS1) FW4 between beta and gamma
reasonably interesting (see gamma TN1 FW4)
TN1 GA1 but has not been fertilised in the last 10 years, grazed by a small number of
sucklers.
TN2 GS4 although this was drained and piped ~ 30 years ago it is still quite wet.
16j
3.75
Most of 16j has GA1 that is fairly diverse and with a few pockets of GS1 interspersed
through it.
Photographs ‘17 gamma Kileenerk GA1’ 01 and 02. 16i can be seen it the background as
can the WS2 of adjacent habitats.
The WL1 on northern end is derelict and bare on bottom.
Photographs 17 beta, gamma Kileenerk’ 01, 02 show where 16i and 16j meet. Both are
mainly GA1 with WS1 encroaching, while 03 shows an area of GS4 on 16j
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TN 1 FW4~ 2 wide and ~ 1.5-2 m deep with clear water. Water depth only 30 cm or so.
Photograph ‘ 17 beta, gamma Kileenerk FW4’ 01
Black bent
Agrostis gigantea
Bottle sedge
Carex rostrata
Bulrush
Typha latifolia
Flag iris
Iris pseudacorus
Marsh bedstraw
Galium palustre
Marsh valerian
Valeriana dioica
Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria
Mint
Mentha sp.
Water cress
Nasturtium officinale
Water starwort
Callitriche sp.
Wild angelica
Angelica sylvestris
16k
0.94
Low esker with rough GS1 with blackthorn scrub. Traces of 2 dwelling houses, mostly
rubble. Presence of beech tree adjacent to house remains and WL2 of ash, privet and
hawthorn. Small bit of gravel excavation (area of about 6 m x 10 m) at one time at the
end of esker nearest epsilon,
TN1 WL2
Ash
Horse chestnut
Sycamore
Fraxinus excelsior
Aesculus hippocastanum
Acer pseudoplatanus
TN2 WL1 mature hedgerow growing on the esker with coarse GS2 of nettles, thistles and
coarse grasses growing beneath it on its eastern side.
Elder
Sambucus nigra
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Ivy
Hedera helix
Privet
Ligustrum vulgaris
16l
4.63
Most is covered in WS1 of furze with some hawthorn. At the northern end nearest 16k
there is some GS1 but bracken is beginning to take over but it is low ~ 50 cm high.
Cattle graze in.
Notes from section examined in 2005
Priority grassland sites associated with fields north and south of delelict quarry (N1) and
in the vicinity of Clonyrina cross roads and Streamstown. North of the cross roads
grassland contained bee orchid plus three other types (should be checked for Orchis
morio later in the season). This site is contained within a holding which also contained
an interesting fen. The entire holding is subject to light grazing by a suckler herd. South
of the cross roads another large holding is also grazed extensively. This also contains
GS1* (previous record of bee orchids here), oak ash hazel woodland, gorse scrub, fen and
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wet grassland. Finally other high priority grasslands are found within the rented holding
immediately NE of Streamstown cross roads. The grasslands are grazed extensively and
an unusual assemblage of species (containing H. androsaemum, Bromopsis and
Viburnum opulus) complemented the usual list of SRG species.
Grasslands are being managed for intensive grazing (sheep) or for silage. The exceptional
holdings are those which are grazed extensively. Animals range over large numbers of
old fields (whose boundaries are not being maintained). External boundaries very good.
As a result scrub is moving out from boundary hedgerows and it is difficult to map
boundaries between hedgerow, scrub and grassland. Access is also difficult.
The holdings which are managed extensively are all either rented or abandoned (owner in
England). If rented owners live a few miles away, have other commercial interests or are
hospitalised.
SRG was found on banks near the disused railway cutting (TN8).
This site qualified as GS1 and also contained abundant Listera, Platantera, and
Anacamptis. Koeleria macrantha and Lathyrus pratensis. Site would make an excellent
destination for a grassland walk starting at the old railway station.
Some holdings in REPS. These are distinguished by having exceptionally good
boundnary fences and fenced off kettle holes (in two holdings).
Sections of this esker system (particularly around Clonryna cross roads, but also near
Killare Church and Killeagh) are adjacent to kettle holes. These are intrinsic features of
landscapes dominated by quaternary sand and gravel deposits. Some kettle holes are only
10mX 10m, others are 40X60m. Only a few now contain water all year round due to
drainage by local farmers. They are all flooded in winter with base rich groundwater.
Emergents include Eleocharis palustris. Fen vegetation is the commonest type of
vegetation found.
Fen vegetation is dominated by Carex sp. The most well developed fen was found at 16m
and n. Adjacent to the esker at 16r (17f) north of the crossroads is a large expanse of fen.
Here the vegetation was dominated by large tussocks of S. nigricans. A small stand of
Cladium was found and abundant orchids (Platanthera and Listera).
Further north extensive fen vegetation was found in kettle holes situated between three
esker section. This dominated by Carex sp. A dense algal mat appeared in these
depressions in later summer (signs of euthrophication of ground water) which covered
vegetation and was very obvious in aerial photograph once water levels fell.
Reclamation work ongoing around 16y/z (17m/n))
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New house being built at 16y and z). This has resulted in removal of part of esker.
Reclamation and reseeding of esker (which had woodland in 2000) including damage to
adjacent to oak ash woodland.
Further removal work being carried out at TN7 (same section) accompanied by dumping
of top soil nearby. Farmer had already reclaimed and reseeded this field in 2000. Drain
being deepened near linear woodland adjacent to esker along the road (contains elm, oak
and and ash). Shown on OS map.
Target Notes
TN1 GS1
Alchemilla xanthochlora
Alchemilla filicaulis
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Anthyllus vulneraria*
Bellis perennis
Briza media*
Carex caryophyllea
Carex flacca
Centaura nigra
Cerastium glomeratum
Cotoneaster integrifolius
Cynosurus cristatus
Dactyllis glomerata
Daucus carota
Festuca rubra
Galium verum
Helictotrichon pubescens*
Hieracium pilosella
Hypochaeris radicata
Knautia arvensis
Leontodon hispidus*
Leucanthemum vulgare
Linum catharticum*
Lotus corniculatus*
Luzula campestris
Origanum vulgare
Pimpinella saxifraga*
Plantago lanceolata
Polygala vulgaris
Potentilla erecta
Primula veris*
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Prunella vulgaris
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculus bulbosus
Rhinanthus minor
Rumex acetosa
Succisa pratensis
Trifolium pratense, repens, dubium
Veronica sepyllifolia
Vicia sepium
TN2 GS1* Associated species in orchid rich grassland (within 10m of bee orchid)
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Galium verum
Linum catharticum
Carlina vulgaris
Briza media
Koeleria macrantha
Pilosella officinarum
Polygala vulgaris
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Carex flacca
Leontodon hispidus
Anthyllus vulneraria
Gymnadenia conopsea
Dactyllorhiza fucshii
Thymus drucei
TN3 FS2
Agrostis stolonifera
Cardamine pratensis
Carex disticha
Carex flacca
Carex hirta
Carex panicea
Carex pulicaris
Cladium mariscus
Dactyllorhiza sp
Eriophorum angustifolium
Galium palustris
Glyceria pedicillatus
Hypericum pulchrum
Juncus articulatus
Juncus acutiflorus
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Juncus conglomeratus
Listera ovata
Mentha aquatica
Menyanthes trifoliata
Molinia caerulea (on tussocks of S. nigricans)
Phalaris arundinacea O
Platanthera bifolia
Potentilla anserina F
Ranunculus repens
Rumex acetosa
Schoenus nigricans
Senecio jacobea
Triglochin palustris
Viola sp
TN 4 WN2 Oak ash hazel woodland
Anemone nemorosa
Arum maculatum
Ajuga reptans
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Carex flacca
Carex sylvatica
Circea lutetiana
Conopodium majus
Coryllus avellana
Crataegus monogyna
Dryopteris felix mas
Dryopteria dilitata
Potentialls sterilis
Fraxinus excelsior
Geranium robertianum
Geum urbanum
Glechoma hederecea
Hedera helix
Heracleum
Hyacinthoides non-scriptus
Lonicera periclymenum
Lysimachia nemorum
Moehringia trinervia
Orchis mascula
Oxalis acetosella
Phyllitis scolopendrium
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Primula vulgaris
Ranunculus ficaria
Ribes uva-crispa
Ranunculus auricomus
Runex sanguineus
Sanicula
Viola riviniana
Good areas on 16u (17 i) where woodland shown on OS map. Best examples of oak ash
hazel woodlands are south of Streamstown on small esker sections in 16 and 16
(17Q/R). Both are small and isolated. The better example contained several old oaks (Q.
robur). However grazing pressure high. The priority here is to get farmer into REPS and
fence off wood. Locals believe the wood is the site of a fairy fort, hence it has not been
cleared.
Species here( TN 5) include
Q. rubur (three excellent specimens)
Coryllus avellana
Rubus frut
Circea lutetiana
Sanicula
P. vulgaris
Rumex sanguineus
B. sylvaticum
Hedera helix (thickest ivy stem on tree ever seen!)
Poa annua
Potentilla sterilis
Cerastium glomeratum
Urtica
Heracleum
Lysimachia nemorum
The other woodland lies within Coolatore quarry (subject to enforcement proceedings). It
is now isolated by quarry workings. It is not subject to grazing pressure. However while
the ground flora was better here (ajuga, anemone and ferns) no oaks were found here,
only young spindly ash.
Species richness of woodlands depends on age and degree of planting. Coryllus all shows
signs of coppicing. Some very old plants.
Scrub usually hawthorn dominant. Leggy look means that it was originally on its own (on
an esker invaded by scrub). Lucky if ash also came in with it.
Poor woodlands which are overgrazed have poor understoreys. This could also be due to
lack of light.
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Oak ash hazel wood type planted up with Beech (in 16u (17i) at southern end),
conifers at 16 (17p. Where trees cut out Coryllus may only be found at the margins. The
resulting scrub could be dominated by Crataegus and the resulting herb flora could be
very poor, particularly if grazing pressure is high. Presence of good stone walls around
woods of interest. They imply active management within.
Bedger setts found in several woods.
TN6 Wet ditches
Salix cinerea ssp olefolia
TN 7 WSI
Common on 16t (17H)
Ulex europaeus
Crataegus monogyna
Prunus spinosa
Rubus fruticosus agg
Fragaria vesca
Coryllus avellana
Acer pseudoplatanus
Viburnum opulus
Esker 17 Uisneach Esker
Map No 3.6/3.7/3.11
Small esker system with largest segment north west of Moyore. Other townlnands are
Williamstown and Moransbrook.
Mapped from fieldwork (17a and b) and aerials (17c and d)
To the east of 17 a and b are cutover bog and raised bog habitats. 17a is bisected by a
road providing access to the bog. Much of both segments have been planted with WS2.
The most interesting part of this system is the northern end of 17b where there is some
WS1 and GS1. ED3 has small bits of GS1 around its edges. The sides to the west of the
esker are planted with WS2. The two other segments have semi natural vegetation cover
“probably GS1 on 18a and small liner woodland/scrub on 18b along line of hedgerow” as
stated in 2005 report.
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Esker 18 Killucan Esker
Map No.3.9
Small system extending from Drumman to south east of Killucan.
Old track through 18a which supports a narrow bank of semi natural woodland.
Otherwide Very little semi natural vegetation.
Canal feeder (the Thomastown feeder) flows beside 18d.
Esker 19 Lakes Scroghill Esker
Map No. 3.6/3.10
System extends from Doonis Lough south east of Ballymahon to the N6 (which
divides an esker segment) west of Killogeenagha Cross Roads.
Townlands include Bethlehem, Coolvuck, Tully and Scroghil.
The small esker segments a-d are unusual in supporting bog woodland, not
found elserwhere on eskers in Westmeath. In these woodlands trees are
dominated by Betula pubescens with some Pinus sylvestris, and Alder glutinosa.
Field layer composed of Pteridium aquilinum, Calluna vulgaris, Ulex eruropaeus
(HH1). Potentilla anserina, P. erecta, Fillipendula ulmaria, Stellaria (alsine?) Juncus
effusus, Juncus conglomeratus, and Fraxinus seedlings occur in parts (GS4) with FS1
species – Phragmitis australis, Schoenoplectus lacustris and Equisetum fluvitale in
wetter areas. Elements of WS1 habitat (Rubus fruticosus), with grassland species
including Succisa pratensis, Veronica serpyllifolia, and Centaurea nigra. Area used
dumping (cars and agricultural waste).
Segment E mapped from aerial photography & adjacent roadside. Habitats
dominated by GA1 devided by WL1. Buildings and a pathway (BL3) and a small
pocket of WS1 are the only other habitats recorded.
A very small segment F, has good example of GS1, with GS1* (moss dominant
with Cynosurus cristatus) in parts and WS1 (Bracken & Rubus dominated). GS4
dominated by Juncus effusus & Juncus conglomeratus.
Segment G. Habitats include GA1, BL1, BL3, WS1, FW4, GS2 (managed) GS1
and a pocket of GS1*. This area (WS1, GS & GS1) is completely unmanaged.
Scrub likely to invade GS1*.
TN1= Old stone wall enclosing overgrown GS1 (Achillea, Festuca, Ranunculus
acris, moss?).
TN2= BL1 with GS1 vegetation growing ontop.
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Segment H & I viewed from aerials & pers. comm. GA1.
Esker 20 Rosemount Esker
Map No 3.6/3.11
Extends from Longford boundary (where there are two segments) south of Hil of
Forgney to Rosemount. Includes segments in the following townlands
Cloncullen, Ballinlig Lower Ballybrickoge, Rosemount.
Notes from segments examined directly
Sections
20a
Area (ha)
0.07
A small amount of gravel has been removed from the esker
20b
3.07
The entire segment was recently planted (2004, Pers comm with landowner
Seamus Higgins) with Norway and Sitka spruce along with a small amount of
larch. Birch occurs naturally at the southern edge of the esker. Bracken
dominates the ground flora. The top of ridge is approximately 3 m high.
20c
1.68
Completely planted for forestry approximately 16 years ago. Prior to this the
esker was covered in gorse scrub and having unsuccessfully tried to reclaim it
the segment was planted with conifers. (Pers comm with landowner Seamus
Higgins).
Remainder of system supports potentially good grasslands. Features to be
examined according to 2005 report are a very small wood on 20esouth, WN2
immediately west of Rosemount, tree line around ringfort? hedgerow at 20d
along the crest. Roads at Rosemount along the crest. Possibly GS1* on 20j or G
Habitats mapped from aerials but field inspection needed if applications for
development received (in areas marked up GS1 or Gsi*?
Mount = esker?
Esker 21 Dalystown Esker
Map No. 3.7
Small esker system near Rathconrath and Dalystown
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First two esker segments planted with conifers and the third has GS1, WL1
No quarries.
Esker 22 Crossanstown Esker
Map No. 3.9/3.13
Divided into two section. Some segments north of the R156 near Castlestown and others
between the N4 and Royal Canal at Cushinstown.
Townlands Castledown and Corelstown
Habitats include some GSI (of potential interest) WL1, ED3 (active?) WS1, WD4,GA1
Esker 23 Milltown Esker
Map no. 3.6
Long narrow set of esker segments stretching from Carricknagower to Ballina on
the Royal Canal.
There are BSBI records from 23b ( 14b) (section with quarry and scrub near the
road). Species include Carline vulgaris, Anacamptis pyramidalis, Gymnadenia
conopsea, Helitotrichon pubescens, Leontodon hispidus.
Probably supports a good diversity of habitats including GS1* also GA1, GS1,
high cover or WS1, ED1, WL1. kettle holes (2) nearby.
Several pits. One on old OS map Townland boundary along ridge.
Notes on segments examined in 2006
Segment 23F. WL2 (Fraxinus, Quercus, Crataegus, Acer) on river-bank (FW2).
GA1 (heavily fertilised).
Segment 23 G, habitats composed of WS2 of various ages (see TN’s), WL1 with
some mature ash, WL2 (composed almost completely of ash) and GA1. Roadside
verge managed & no real species of interest at this section (GS2) TN1= ash &
sycamore plantation. TN2 = ash, sycamore & oak’s, older plantation. TN3=
mixture of broadleaf & conifer plantation.
Segment 23 H, habitats include an old stone wall & cottage, in ruins (BL1), BL3,
GA1, ED3, ED4, WS1, WL1 and GA1. GS2 is overgrown in most of this segment,
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loss in species primarily due to overgrowth of Rubus spp. And no species of
significance were recorded. Management recommended.
TN1= hedge 3m in width.
TN2= GS1, with Knautia arvensis, Galium verum, Achillea millefolium – v. good.
TN3= GS2 overgrown with rubus.
Segment 23i. Roadside verge (GS2) with pockets of GS1 (Achillea, Festuca, Briza
etc). Both sides of road with WL1, Crataegus dominated. House (BL3) with
wooded garden. GA1.
TN1= Poor example of GS1.
TN2=GS2 with pockets of GS1 on both sides.
Segment 23 J. Habitats include GA1, GS1, GS1*, ER2, WL1, BL3, ED4, WS1, GA2,
Exceptional example of esker ridge on West of road, deep ridge with
GS1* vegetation, pockets of gorse scrub and exposed rock. No threats
perceived. Roadside verge, good examples of GS1 in places where
ground hasn’t been overdisturbed (poaching?). Both sides of road
Crategus & Rosa hedge, East side dominated by tall trees (Ash)
TN2=Recently felled woodland (WS5) and old dwelling (BL1).
TN3=Old stone wall on roadside, with good example of GS1, Crataegus & rosa
hedge.
TN4=Crataegus scrub with very good roadside verge.
TN5=GA1, rank , overgrown grassland, species poor. WS1 dominated by old
Crataegus trees.
TN6=BL1, old stone wall running all along roadside, with v. good GS1 in parts.
Segment 23k has old pit, GS1 and mostly scrub
Esker 24 Hightown Esker (Russelstown Esker)
Map no. 3.9/3.13
Townlands Russelstown, Hightown and Clonfad
Placeanames Knockawillian (300ft high)
Spectacular hill forts on 24a and north of 24d
Habitats are GS1, GA1, GS1, WL1 (good along side roads)
Medium
Esker 25 Baskin Ballinderry
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Map no. 3.6/3.11/
Esker system segments over 8km. Townlands include Baskin Low, Baskin High,
Ballynacorra and Ballinderry. Esker provides access route between two bogs in
Ballinderry and extends into bog in that area.
Habitats included scrub, GS1 south of R 390 and some hedgerows on townland
boundaries.
25 d merges with bog to north and south.
No quarries
Esker 26 Dungaghy Esker
Map No.
Townland of Dungaghy
Small ringfort on top with GA1 in the vicinity
Potential low.
Dungaghy (lots of ringforts in the vicinity).
Esker 27 Lowtown Esker
Map no. 3.13
Townlands Hightown or Ballyoughter, Lowtown of Balleighter
No habitats of particular value, mostly GA1 with some GS1 and hedgerows WL1.
Esker 28 Bellfield Esker
Map no. 3.13
Townland of Bellfield
Segment 28a has GA1 and GS1 and WL1. Segment 28b has small pit, possibly GS1 and
WL1.
Low priority
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Esker 29 Pass of Kilbride Esker
Map No. 3.6/3.11/3.13
Esker spans N6 at Pass of Kilbride.
Habitats include GA1, WL1, BC1?
No pits. Low value
Esker 30 Twy Lough Esker
Map No. 3.10
North of the Breensford river and bisected by a regional road south east of
Lough Ree, small esker of potential interest. House now in ruins built into
esker.Habitats GS1, GA1 ,WL1.
Townland Annagh
Esker 31 Belville Esker
Map No. 3.10
(Clonrelick and Belville Townlands)
Mapped from aerial photographs
Two segments.
Part of segment 31a was mapped the remainder was coded up in 2006. Esker
adjacent to Belville Quarry ( a sand quarry on an outwash plain)
Four habitats including GS1 and tree dominated hedgerows.
Adjacent to hedgerow along townland boundary between Creeve and Belville
No old records from BSBI
If old house is restored planning should ensure that there is minimal impact on
topography and semi-natural vegetation
Esker 32 Annagh Esker
Map No. 3.10
North of the Breensford river and bisected by a regional road south east of
Lough Ree. Townland of Annagh
Habitats GA1, and GS1
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Esker 33 Clontytallon Esker
Map No. 3.12/3.13
Townland Clontytallon
Habitats include GS1, WL1. GS4
No quarries
Esker 34 Cornamaddy Esker
Map no. 3.10
Townland of Cornamaddy, adjacent to Athlone north of the N55
Adjacent to cemetery. Habitats GA1, GS1 and WL1.
Esker 35 Mount Temple Esker
Map No. 3.10/3.11
.
Exceptionally large esker system starting beside the Shannon at Atholone,
extending to Mount Temple, and finishing at Bawnoges north of the main road
east of Moate. Contains largest esker segment in Westmeath.
Features a spectacular motte and bailey at Mt Temple and site of first RTE
broadcasting station at Moydrum east of Athlone.
Old BSBI records 1985 for GS1* species east of Mt Temple including Erigeron acer
Other information from BSBI below (date of record and species found).
Sections
Area
35j (2a)
26.57
(6/95) No especially uncommon species
35j)2b
19.67
Sections
Area
35k (2c)
147.77
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(7/85).
Mainly cleared hawthorn scrub in NHA NE of Killachonna. Found Anacamptis,
Briza, Leontodon his, Gynmadenia, Knautia, Daucus carota. Previous records for
Gentianella and Erigeron acer and Centaurea scabiosa
35l (2d)
0.44
(7/85)
Antennaria dioica, Centaurea scabiosa, Leontodon hispidus, Anthyllus, Briza, Carex
caryophyllea, Danthonia, Trisetum Coeloglossum viride
Segment 35a (near the Shannon), segment at Ballynagarbry (pNHA ( No. 001713)
and near Carn Bog are designated for biodiversity. Segment near the Shannon is
part of the Shannon SPA. Some information is available on the esker at
Ballynagarbry. Its flora was highlighted by Praeger in 1899. It was included in
lists of ASI’s as it supported rare plants. No records of rarities in recent past.
Habitat much improved due to farming. It now principally supports improved
grassland with small areas of scrub. The part of the esker within Carn Park Bog
cSAC is forested with conifers. Carn Park Bog is included in EU LIFE Project
funded raised bog restoration programme. There may be potential to restore
esker vegetation as part of this demonstration project.
Target Notes from 2005
Esker segments 35 c, d and e found within the town of Athlone. Segment f and g
are adjacent to it. Some of the esker segments with in the town offer spectacular
views over the town and also provide important reservoirs for esker biodiversity
Segment 35a
Unmanaged land near the Shannon with GS2
Segment 35b
Supports small planted woodland with beech, horsechestnut, sycamore and
elder.
Segment 35c is a publicly accessible hill in the middle of a densely populated
area with excellent views supporting unmanaged dry grassland and scrub.
Extraction going on to provide more parking space for nearby houses!
Segment 35d has roads and houses on its steep slopes. Some semi-natural scrub
to south inside good stone wall.
Segment 35e is particularly interesting. It has been quarried but currently has the
full suite of habitats associated with eskers GSI, GS1*, Wsi scrub, small area of
semi natural woodland (WN2), and bare and recolonising ground (ED’s). Very
high potential as a site of urban biodiversity interest in the heart of Athlone.
Scrub contains urban shrubs such as buddleja, cotoneaster. Extent not mapped
accurately due to development.
Segments 35 f and g. These are very low hills. Segment 35g needs rechecking by
Robbie Meehan. Habitats of little interest.
Segment
Segment 35h of historical interest as it once supported main radio broadcasting
masts in Ireland. Adjacent building is listed for protection . Why not esker?
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Woodland to east worth further fieldwork in Spring. Check 1st ed OS map.
Target notes from 2006
N1 Conifer woodland within cSAC Carn Park Bog.
N2 GA1 Improved calcareous grassland (fertilised regularly, ploughed c. 10-20
years ago Oliver Hynes, adjacent landowner, pers.comm.)
Sweet vernal grass
Soft brome
Crested dog’s tail
Cock’s foot
Meadow fescue
Hogweed
Yorkshire fog
Meadow vetchling
Italian rye grass
Rye grass
Timothy grass
Blackthorn
Bracken
Red clover
Ragwort
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Bromus mollis
Cynosurus cristatus
Dactyllus glomerata
Festuca pratensis
Heracleum sphondyllium
Holcus lanatus
D/A
Lathyrus pratensis
Lolium multiflorum,
Lolium perene
Phleum pratensis
Prunus spinosa
Pteridium aquilinum
Trifolium pratense
Veronica serpyllifolia
Senecio jacobea
N3 WD1
Plantation types (on OS map) dominated by Beech west of Mt Temple and in
naturally revegetated small quarries adjacent to roads,
Tree species
Beech
Larch
Birch
Sycamore
Hazel
Oak
Fagus sylvatica
Larix sp
Betula sp
Acer pseudoplatanus
Coryllus avellana
Quercus robur
Shrubs
Hazel
Coryllus avellana
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Herbs
Cow parsely
Pignut
Wood brome
Herb Robert
Wood sanicle
Anthriscus sylvestris
Conopodium majus
Brachpodium sylvaticum
Geranium robertianum
Moehringia
Sanicula europaeus
N4 GS4
Yellow flag
Creeping bent
Yorkshire fog
Silverweed
Sedge sp
Meadowsweet
Rush
Crested dog’s tail
Meadow buttercup
Red clover
Creeping clover
Knapweed
Iris pseudacorus
Agrostis stolonifera
Holcus lanatus
Potentilla anserine
Carex sp
Filipendula ulmaria
Juncus conglomeratesXeffusus
Cynosurus cristatus
Ranunculus acris
Trifolium pratense
Trifolium repens
Centaurea nigra
N5 WN2
Trees/shrubs
Ash
Oak
Fraxinus
Quercus robur
Shrubs
Hazel
Dog rose
Elder
Hawthorn
Lesser burdock
Holly
Blackthorn
Hawthorn
Bramble
Coryllus
Rosa canina
Sambuccus nigra
Crataegus monogyna
Arctium minus
Ilex aquifolium
Prunus spinosa
Crataegus monogyna
Rubus frut agg.
Herbs
Wood sanicle
Wood violet
Soft shield fern
Sanicula europaeus
Viola rininiana
Polystichum setiferum
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Lords and Ladies
Arum maculatum
Hogweed
Heracleum
Wood avens
Geum urbanum
Enchanter’s nightshade
Circea lutetiana
Ivy
Hedera helix
Polypody fern
Polypodium vulgare
Hart’s tongue fern Phyllitis scolopendrium
Thyme leaved speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia
N 6 WL2
Fagus, Fraxinus, Quercus, Salix cinerea ssp oleifolia
WL1 (near Mt Temple Motte)
Hazel
Lesser stitchwort
Bladder campion
Dog rose
Coryllus avellana
Stellaria graminea
Silene vulgaris
Rosa canina
GS1
At various locations (on roadside verge in front of N6 WL2, pastures east of Mt
Temple Motte and west of disused railway line.
Marsh orchid
Silverweed
Creeping buttercup
Ash
White clover
Lady’s mantle
Yarrow
Sweet vernal grass
Quaking grass
Lady’s smock
Carex caryophyllea
Creeping thistle
Crested dog’s tail
Cock’s foot
Euphrasia sp
Red fescue
Wild strawberry
Ox eye daisy
Meadow vetchling
Bird’s foot trefoil
Burnet saxifrage
Dactylorrhiza maculata
Potentilla anserine
Ranunculus acris
Fraxinus excelsior
Trifolium repens
Alchemilla filicaulis
Achillea millefolium
Anthoxanthum odoratum
*Briza media
Cardamine pratensis
Cirsium arvense
Cynosurus cristatus
Dactyllus glomerata
*F. rubra
Fragaria vesca
Leucanthemum
Lathyrus pratensis
*Lotus corniculatus
*Pimpinella saxifraga
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Cowslip
Bracken
Meadow buttercup
Bulbous buttercup
Yellow rattle
Sorrel
Salad burnet
Crab apple
Ragwort
Timothy
Rye grass
Red fescue
Nettle
Crested dog’s tail
Creeping thistle
Meadow buttercup
Chickweed
Broad dock
*Primula veris
Pteridium aquilinum
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculus bulbosus
Rhinanthus minor
Rumex acetosa
Salad burnet
Malus sylvestris
Seneciio jacobea
Phleum pratense
Lolium perene
Festuca rubra
Urtica
Cynosurus cristatus
Cirsium arvense
Ranunculus acris
Stellaria media
Rumex conglomerates
GS1* in various locations. Best example on side of disused railway line.
Leontodon hispidus
Oxeye daisy
Quaking grass
Sweet vernal grass
Red fescue
Flax
Wild carrot
Glaucous sedge
Lady’s bedstraw
Burnet saxifrage
Cowslip
Red clover
Yellow clover
Blackthorn
Rye grass
Cock’s foot
Upright brome
Leucanthemum vulgare
Briza media
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Festuca rubra
Linum catharticum
Daucus carota
Carex flacca
Galium verum
Pimpinella saxifraga
Primula veris
Trifolium pratense
Trifolium dubium
Prunus spinosa
Lolium perene
Dactyllus glomerata
Bromopsis erecta
N7 WSI
Gorse
Bracken
Bramble
Ulex europaeus
Pteridium aquilinum
Rubus fruticosus
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Esker 36 Horseleap esker
Map No. 3.11/3.15
Segment 5i part of Grand Canal pNHA (no. 002104)
BSBI records of GS1* (5/91) in 36d ( 5d). Species include
Orchis mascula
Helictotrichon pubescens
Conopodium majus
Pimpinella saxifraga
Habitats
Areas worth examining in the field include
Derelict quarry where railway bisects esker, scrub near quarries, hazel scrub at 5d and
5e.. Sections 5d Ardnurcher NE of Donghill Cross Roads which probably have GS1*
Grand Canal sections 5i
Quarries
Large active 1
Large inactive 0
Small active 4
Small inactive 0
Esker 37 Long Hill esker
Map No. 3.12/3.14/3.15
Much of the esker is covered by cSAC designation associated with the cover of
semi-natural woodand. Hand drawn habitat map of designated area in draft
management plan. Designated area excludes some of the esker and includes land
outside the esker, of biodiversity value.
Habitats within designated area include
Calcareous grassland = GS1
Semi-natural woodland= WN2
Mixed woodland=WD1
Scrub=WS1
Hedgerow=WL1
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Wet grassland=GS4
Lakes and ponds=FL8
Lowland heath/bog=PB4
Bog with scrub= PB4
Quarry/sand pits=ED4
Improved grassland=GA1
Dense bracken=HD1
Buildings and roads=BL3
Some of these habitats not found elsewhere on esker i.e. dense bracken and bog
with scrub (bog is probably not on the esker).
BSBI records of rare plants from 37f (7f) and 37a (7a) 37d (7d )
Include
Neottia
Galeopsis angustifolia
Geum rivale
Melica uniflora
Anntenaria dioica
Orchis mascula
Origanum vulgare
Rosa arvensis
Blackstonia perfoliata
Cardamine impatiens
Leontodon hispidus
Briza media
Lotus corniculatus
Moehringia
Sanicula
Glechoma
Coryllus avellana
Information contained in EIS (for quarry adjacent to the esker) at
Cummingstown confirms that Erigeron acer was in the older quarry, and Galeapsis
angusitifolia occurs in an old cutting along the local road that crosses the Split Hill
and Long Hill esker at Cummingstown. Bat species recorded in the area of esker
include Common pipistrelle, Soprano pipistrelle and Leisler’s bat.
Further information from EIS states that the woodland is dominated by hazel
with ash, hawthorn, oak, wych elm and Irish whitebeam. Ground flora is rich
and includes primrose, enchanter’s nightshade, golden saxifrage, bluebell, wood
sanicle. Rarer plants include wood fescue, bird’s nest orchid in woodlands.
Grasslands have quaking grass, sedge, carex flacca, lady’s bedstraw, yellow
wort, carline thistle, mountain everlasting, early purple orchids.
Wildlife seen badger, pheasant, jay, moor hen and flocks of tits, including long
tailed.
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Cardamine impatiens in woodland, only known native site in Ireland and hemp
nettle on open quarry
Red squirrel present.
As area outside the designated area supports typical flora associated with eskers
should this land not also be within the SAC? or given strong protection?
As this is a particularly large esker streams and rivers bisect it. While active
gravel quarries are only affecting a small area, two existing quarries have
excavated right across it. Swallow Lough an important wetland is directly
adjacent to the esker but unprotected by any designation.
Aerials reveal good example of a townland boundary running along the top of
the esker at 7a and c.
EIS for N6 Athlone Kinnegad did not identify section of Esker 7 near Cornaher
Lough as being part of Long Hill Split Hill esker. Site considered of high local
importance. This is an understatement of its value as it supports semi-natural
woodland with good ground flora and badger sett.
EIS listed following rare plants on eskers:
Orchis morio
Galeopsis angustifolia
Neottia
Erigeron acer
Acinos arvensis Basil thyme
Common wintergreen Pyrola minor
Round leaved wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia
Betony Stachys officinalis
Shepherd’s needle Scandix pecten-veneris
Quarries
Large active 111
Large inactive
Small active 0
Small inactive
111
1
Esker 38 Cloncrow esker
Map no. 3.12/3.15
Townland of Higginstown
Small esker mainly covered in semi-natural vegetation adjacent to Cloncrow Bog pNHA
No. 000677 to which it provides access.
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Extent of esker may have been underestimated as forestry obscrures topography.
Target notes
TN1 WN2
Betula pubescens
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Coryllus avellana
Crataegus monogyna
Euonymous europaeus
Filipendula ulmaria
Fraxinus excelsior
Geranium robertianum
Geum urbanum
Hypericum androsaemum
Ilex aquilifolium
Prunus spinosa
Rosa canina
Rubus frut agg
Salix caprea
Salix ssp oleifolia
Viburnum opulus
TN2 GS1
Ranunculus repens
Agrostis capillaris
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Calluna vulgaris
Carex flacca
Carex nigra
Centaurea nigra
Cirsium arvense
Crataegus monogyna
Cynosurus cristatus
Dactyllorhiza sp
Dactyllus glomerata
Danthonia
Daucus carota
Euphrasia arctica spp borealis
Euphrasia sp
Festuca rubra
Filipendula ulmaria
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Gymnadenia conopsea
Heracleum sphondylium
Hieracium pilosella
Holcus lanatus
Hypochaeris radicata
Leontodon hispidus
Leucanthemum vulgare
Linum catharticum
Lolium perene
Lotus corniculatus
Pimpinella saxifraga
Plantago lanceolata
Polygala vulgaris
Potentilla anserina
Potentilla erecta
Primula veris
Prunella vulgaris
Pteridium aquilimum
Rhinanthus minor
Rubus frut agg
Senenio jacobea
Succisa pratensis
Trifolium pratense
Tussilago farfara
Vicia cracca
TN3 ED3 (old Quarry)
Agrostis stolonifera
Bellis perennis
Betula seedling
Briza media
Carex flacca
Centaurea nigra
Cerastium fontanum
Dactyllus glomerata
Danthonia
Euphrasia sp
Hypericum pulchrum
Hypochaeris radicata
Lolium perene
Pilosella officinarum
Plantago lanceolata
Potentilla anserina
Primula vulgaris
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Prunella vulgaris
Rubus frut agg
Sagina procumbens
Salix cinerea spp oleifolia
Senecio jacobea
Succisa pratensis
Trifolium dubium
Trifolium repens
Tussilago farfara
Urtica dioica
Esker 39 Split Hill esker
(north of cSAC Split Hill/Long Hill esker)
Map No. 3.12/3.15
Townlands
Esker lies immediately north of Split Hill/Long Hill (cSAC) esker and extends from
Toorallen Rocks to Rahinashurock on the N6.
Records from BSBI on 39e (9e) near cSAC for Leontodon hispidus, Anacamptis
pyrammidalis, Gymnadenia , Antennaria dioica, Galeopsis angustifolia, Anthyllus
vulneraria and Centauria scabiosa.
Habitats include stone wall bounding a planted mainly beech woodland in 9f. Neottia was
found growing on roadside verge outside this wall.
Western section has much scrub cover, wet grassland, rock near surface and seasonally
flooded wetland. Field use as dumping ground. Two sympathetic landowners own land
on segments b and c .
Cutting to east of regional road was exploited in recent past.
Target notes 2 WD1, WN2/WL1
Esker number 39f (9F)
TN1 WD1
Trees
Fagus regenerating
Ulmus sp
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Fraxinus regenerating
Q. robur
Shrubs
Prunus spinosa
Euonymous europaeus
Crataegus mongyna
Coryllus avellana
Ilex aquifolium
Rubus frut
Lonicera
Rosa arvensis
TN2 WN2
Coryllus avellana
Quercus robus
Melica uniflora
Carex sylvatica
Ajuga reptans
Conopodium majus
Festuca rubra
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Anthoxantum odoratum
Fragaria vesca
Platago lanceolata
Carex flacca
Vicia sepium
Sanicula europaea
Viola riviniana
Viola rechenbachiana
Rumex sanguineus
Primula vulgaris
Hypericum androsaemum
Geranium robertianum
Phyllitis scolopendrium
Circea lutetiana
Asplenium trichomanes
Asplenium ruta muraria
Endymnion non scripta
Arum maculatum
Anemone nemorosa
Heracleum sphondyllium
Dryopteris felix mas
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Veronica montana
Ranunculus ficaria
Moehringia
Stellaria holostea
Veronica serpyllifolia
Ranunculus acris
Cerastium glomeratum
Woodland adjacent to (and shares species with ) WL1 old townland boundary
hedgerow along the road.
Esker 40 Race Course esker
Map no. 3.15
Townlands Ballyoban and Kilbeggan Race Course?
Six habitats. Road cutting now covered by gorse dominated scrub. This cutting
was not mapped.
Hill covered in semi natural woodland and grassland. Grassland at the base of
the hill in more accessible areas has been reseeded and improved. Elsewhere
grass is species rich and where reclamation occurred in last ten years (removing
scrub) GS1* now present.
Esker damaged by a gap, sand and gravel used?.
Woodland edge important as it corresponds to hedgerow/townland
boundary.Therefore, could be ancient.
Quarries
Large active
Large inactive
Small active
Small inactive
1
1
Target notes 3 (WN2, GS1 and GS1* GA1)
TN1 WN2
Trees
Coryllus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix cinerea ssp oleifolia, Quercus robur, Sorbus
aria,
Shrubs
Prunus spinosa, Rubus frut agg, Rosa sherardii, Sambuccus nigra, Euonymous
europaeus
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Herbs
Hedera helix, Hyacinthoides non scripta, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dryopteris felix
mas, Primula vulgaris, Viola riviniana, Heracleum sphondyllium, Circea lutetiana,
Geum ubanum, Carex sylvatica, Geranium robertianum, Pyllitis scolopendrium,
Lysimachia, Prunella vulgaris, Rumex sanguineus, Arctium minus, Sanicula, Lapsana
communis, Polystichum setiferum, Ajuga reptans, Fragaria vesca, Dryoperis dilitata and
Alchemilla sp
Mature ash, and some very old hazel.
TN2 GS1 and GS1*
Koeleria macrantha
Cynosurus cristatus (Dominant)
Dactyllus glomerata
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Achillea millefolium
Festuca rubra
Origanum vulgare
Odontites vernus
Knautia arvensis
Leucanthemum vulgare
Daucus carota
Phleum pratense
Pimpinella saxifraga
Lathyrus pratensis
Trifolium repens
Trifolium pratense
Lolium perene
Holcus lanatus
Ranunculus repens
Potentilla anglica
Cirsium arvense
Ulex euopaeus
Centaura nigra
Alchemilla xanthochlora
Linum catharticum
Centaurium erythraea
Agrostis capillaris
Hypericum pulchrum
Euphrasia arctica
Prunella vulgaris
Senecio jacobea
Filipendula ulmaria
TN3 GA1
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Lolium perene (Dominant)
Festuca rubra
Urtica dioica
Achillea millefolium
Dactyllus glomerata
Cirsium arvense
Trifolium pratense, repens
Agrostic capillaris
Taraxacum off
Pimpinella saxifraga
Esker 41 Curries esker
Map no. 3.14
GA1/ GS1 separated by wire fence
Adjacent to townland boundary hedgerow
No quarries
Esker 42 Boggagh esker
Map no.
Boggagheighter townland
Mapped from aerial photographs
One habitat GS1
No quarries
Esker 43 Kilbeggan esker
Map no. 3.15
Townlands of Ardballymore and Correagh
Features narrow planted woodland , from which some large trees removed,
beech?.Abrupt edge to woodland and grassland. Most grass improved.
Boundary (townland) hedgerows of particular interest with mature beech and
sycamore.
No quarries
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Esker 44 Rahugh Ridge (Kiltober esker)
Map no. 3.15
Covers 61 ha. ( 2.5 km long) but only part is contained in Co Westmeath. The remainder
is in Co Offaly.
All the woodland on this esker is contained within a pNHA (No. 00918). The pNHA also
includes land of biodiversity value adjacent to but not on the esker. The woodland has
been designated since the 1970’s. Surveyed by Dr John Crosse, NPWS in 1981 as
potential nature reserve. Boundary extended to include quarry in which Galeopsis
angustifolia found in 1991. Now being surveyed by Native Woodland Survey 2006.
According to site files, Rahugh is the best woodland in Co Westmeath. Sorbus hibernica
is common within it.
There are BSBI records from 44a (12a), probably in the quarry.
Galeopsis angustifolia
Carlina vulgaris
Rhamnus catharticus
Melica
Koeleria
Helictotrichon pubescens
Gymnadenia
Antennaria
Leontodon hispidus
Orchis mascula
Origanum vulgare
Site files contain a list of uncommon plants recorded by Jim Moore, Ranger NPWS in
recent years
Agrimony
Geum rivale
Geum ubanum
Red bartsia
Yellow centaury
Burnet rose
Ajuga
Euonymous
Goldilocks buttercup
Greater knapweed
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Orchis pyrammidalis
Lathyraea
Twayblade
Anemone nemorosa
Woodruff
Target Notes
TN1 GS1
Briza media
Alopecurus pratensis
Lolium perene
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Dacyllus glomerata
Cynosurus cristatus
Holcus lanatus
Cerastium glomeratum
Filipendula ulmaria
Ranunculus acris
Centaurea nigra
Galiun verum
Potentilla erecta
Prunella vulgaris
Plantago lanceolata
Festuca rubra
Lotus corniculatus
Potentilla sterilis
Agrostis capillaris
Leucanthemum
Primula veris
Cirsium vulgare
Cirsium arvense
Leontodon taraxacoides
TN2 GA1
Lolium perene
Holcus lanatus
Alopecurus pratensis
Festuca arundinacea
Dactyllus glomerata
Cynosurus cristatus
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Trifolium repens
Trifolium pratense
Cirsium arvense
Cerastium glomeratum
Urtica dioica
Potentilla reptans
TN3 GS/WS Mosaic
Centaurea scabiosa
Linum catharticum
Prunus spinosa
Filipendula ulmaria
Lathyrus pratensis
Holus lanatus
Heraclium sphondylium
Pteridium aquilinum
TN4 GS1
Linum catharticum
Briza media
Festuca rubra
Helictotrichon
Dactyllus glomerata
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Lotus corniculatus
Leucanthemum vulgare
Leontodon hispidus
Galium verum
Luzula campestris
Centaurea nigra
Plantago lanceolata
Carex flacca
Prunus spinosa
Primula veris
TN5 GS1
Agrostis capillaris
Alopecurus pratensis
Anthoxanthum odoratum
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Briza media
Carex caryophyllea
Carex flacca
Centaurea nigra
Centaurea scabiosa
Dactyllus glomerata
Daucus carota
Festuca rubra
Galium verum
Helictotrichon pubescens
Hypericum tetrapterum
Linum catharticum
Lotus corniculatus
Origanum vulgare
Pimpinella saxifraga
Plantago lanceolata
Primula veris
Prunus spinosa
Stellaria graminea
Trifolium pratensis
Vicia cracca
Road cutting exposes esker at Church.
Planning application for sand and gravel pit on this esker ( ABP Appeal No. 209712).
EIS which contained an indicative map of eskers suggested site not on an esker. However
field inspection (even by an inexperienced person) or/and inspection of NPWS site file
for the site or/and review of topographic map would have suggested that the quarry
application was for an esker.
Permission granted by Westmeath, appealed to ABP and granted by them.
Esker 45 Cappalahy esker
Map no. 3.15
In townlands of Cappalahy, Grange and Kiltober
Bisected by Kilbeggan branch of Grand Canal (pNHA No. 002104). Minor road runs
along the top, very characteristic esker road with good views. Canal cutting worth a stop
to view esker section and flora. GS1 here with Carlina. Canal dried out and Glyceria
dominated.
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Esker generally steep sided. Lower slopes more intensively managed, steep slopes less
so. No quarries but an area with hard standing for cattle near the canal was cut out and
probably exploited for sand and gravel.
No quarries
Esker 46 Clara (Derrygolan) esker
Map no 3.14/3.15
Esker 9 km long from Cartron Cross Roads to Grange and Kiltober.It
includes a pNHA Derrygolan Esker No 000896 on segment 11e.It is also bisected
by the Kilbeggan branch of the Grand Canal (pNHA 0002104). As part of the
esker (2.5km) is within Co Offaly, this was not examined.
There are BSBI (date? ) records at 46e (11e) for Orchis morio, Anthyllus vulneraria,
Carex caryophyllea, Helictotrichon pubescens and segment 46w (Grid ref N504761 –
eastern end of esker segment) for the following species:
Acinos arvensis
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Antennaria dioica
Bromopsis erecta
Briza media
Carex caryophyllea
Carlina vulgaris
Danthonia decumbens
Gymnadenia conopsea
Helictotrichon pubescens
Knautia arvensis
Lathyrus pratensis
Leontodon hispidus
Lotus corniculatus
Linum catharticum
Pimpinella saxifraga
Origanum vulgare
Primula veris
Sorbus hibernica
Succisa pratensis
Trisetum flavescens
The Derrygolan section of the esker was designated because of the presence of
good semi-natural grassland with Orchis morio etc. A survey in 1991 showed
presence of large population of Orchis morio (NPWS Site File). As location details
are ambiguous the rare plant survey may have taken place on the adjacent
section of esker (outside the designated area). Designated area is now principally
covered in improved grassland and a poorly maintained hedgerow. The field
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adjacent to it is covered in unimproved grassland and scrub. It is a potential GS1*
site but is heavily grazed.
Part of the esker in Offaly is within the Durrow Demesne and its presense and
vegetation are referred to in a Conservation Plan prepared in 2005 for Offaly
County Council (Howley Hayes, 2005). According to the ecology section of this
report (prepared by Dr Christopher Moriarty) the esker is covered in woodland
(High Wood) which dates from 18th century. This woodland was established as
part of the landscaping to provide a view from the house. Current woodland
refects this character. The ecological study was a walk over study. It stated that
deer are present in Durrow and there is possibly very old oak in the parkland
adjacent to the esker. Elsewhere in Offaly the esker is covered in mature seminatural woodland adjacent to unimproved grassland. This area should be looked
at and results incorporated in Westmeath study.
Esker features some areas of GS1* and scrub. Valuable habitat in small
pocket.However there are numerous townland hedgerows. Some extensively
managed land to east. Area near Grand Canal of potential interest.
Not all GS1 areas looked at as access was not possible.
The grasslands bounding the hedgerow on the minor road adjacent to the
designated area are particularly species rich and deserve further study. These
should probably be designated for protection together with adjacent unimproved
field. Other features of interest include seasonally wet grasslands and wetlands
adjacent to 11e and 11g.These wetlands are surrounded by scrub and are
particularly good for birds in winter. Much interest in rearing pheasants for
game shooting. They are obviously released into woodlands. A pheasant coop
was found in woodland (46a (11a)). Many signs of badgers. Badger sett in 46b
(11b).
Residents living near 46 d,e,f (11d,e and f) very aware of the historic value of the
esker (part of the Sli Mhor).
A conifer plantation has recently been established (c. 8 years ago) on the esker at
Ballycahan, near Cartron Cross Roads on the Offaly border. Almost all of section
46 d(11d) has been removed through small scale quarrying. A change in
ownership may threaten the survival of scrub on 11g. Some hedgerows very
species rich. It is noteworthy that the townland boundary hedgerow near 46f
(11f) exactly follows the line of the esker.
Boundary hedgerows should be protected if housing developed.
Housing is resulting in the removal of some sections of esker at 46a (11a).
There is potential for a passive amenity area at the western end of 46c (11c).
Two small inactive quarries and two small active quarries.
Target notes
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WD 4
TN1 GS1 (46g (11Gi)
Meadow vetchling Lathryrus pratensis
Red fescue Festuca rubra
Blackthorn
Hawthorn
Red clover
White clover
Ragwort
Bramble
Poa compressa
Hogweed
Veronica chamaedrys
Vicia cracca
Bush vetch
Cerastium glomeratum
Birds foot trefoil
Cowslip
Cock’s foot
Narrow leaved plantain
Glaucous sedge
Rumex acetosa
Helictotrichon pubescens
Silverweed Potentilla anserina
Carex nigra
Burnet saxifrage
Sweet vernal grass
Cirsium arvense
Crested dog’s tail
Yorkshire fog
Sweet vernal grass
Luzula campestris
Quaking grass
Red fescue
Wild carrot
Flax
Bird’s foot trefoil
Bryophytes dominant
TN2 GA1 46g-i) 11-gi
Reclaimed esker. Bushes cleared 40 years ago.
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Reseeded then and more recently in certain places.
Cirsium arvense
Trifolium repens
Lolium perene
Poa annua
Bellis perennis
Cynosurus cristatus
Ranunculus repens
Poa compressa
Geranium dissectum
Leontodon taraxacoides
Festuca rubra
Cirsium vulgaris
Cerastium conglomeratum
Ranunculus bulbosus
Annacamptis pyrammidalis
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Phleum bertolonia
Pimpinella saxifraga
Luzula campestris
Pilosella officinalis
TN3 GS1* (46 d, e.f (11 d, e, f)) TN 1
Festuca rubra
Helictotrichon pubescens
Crataegus monogne
Pimpinella saxifraga
Linum catharticum
Carex caryophyllea
Leontodon hispidus
Ulex europaeus
Filipendula ulmaria
TN 4 GS 3 (roadside verge/bank )
Dactyllus glomerata
Lolium perene
Holcus lanatus
Geranium dissectum
Ranunculus bulbosus
Festuca rubra
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Achillea millefolium
Trifolium pratense
Cynosurus cristatus
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Veronica chamaedrys
Carex caryophyllea
Fragaria vesca
Galium verum
Listera cordata
Potentialla erecta
Dactyllorhiza maculata ssp ericetorum
Lotus corniculatus
Briza media
Origanum vulgare
Leontodon hispidus
Hedera helix
Carex pulicaris
Polygala vulgaris
Bromopsis erectus
WD5 (Durrow demesne)
Oak Quercus robur
Ash Fraxinum excelsior
Lime Tilia sp
Horse chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
TN5 WS1
Cleared thirty years ago. Not managed and scrub returned.
Prunus spinosa (dominant)
Crataegus monogyna F
Coryllus avellana
Rubus fruticosus agg
Moehringia
Galium aparine
Fraxinus excelsior (seedling)
Heracleum sphonsyllium
Fragaria vesca
Rumex sanguineum
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Hedera helix
Viola riviniana
Arum maculatum
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Geranium robertianum
TN 6 (best example in 46gl (11g1)). TN4)
Remnant of scrub woodland which covered esker c. 40 years ago.
Fraxinus excelsior
Quercus robur
Ilex aquilifolium
Malus sylvestris ssp sylvestris
Sambuccus nigra
Rosa canina
Fagus sylvatica
Coryllus avellana
Crataegus monogyna
Salix caprea
Acer pseudoplatanus
Tilia sp
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