Flora & Fauna

Wildflowers of the Slieve Blooms

We aim to detail most of the wildflowers that are to be found in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in this gallery. To keep matters simple, we will label each flower with it’s common name. So please check back often as we update this section and enjoy identifying these plants when you are next out and about walking in the mountains.

Much of the information on each flower has been gleaned from the book ‘Irish Wild Plants – myths, legends & folklore’ by Niall Mac Coitit which is still available from Easons. Portlaoise and other good bookshops.

Birds of the Slieve Blooms

Slioeve Blooms hosts several species of rare birds, in particular the Hen Harrier and the Red Grouse. Both species nest on the ground on the bog and heath. The hen harrier is one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey which feeds mainly on small prey items such as meadow pipits. The red grouse is a secretive game bird, and is usually only seen when flushed from undergrowth. Meadow pipits and skylarks are common in the Nature Reserve. Snow buntings are found on the Nature Reserve in winter. Other bird species found include the merlin, peregrine falcon, raven, snipe, golden plover, lapwing, curlew, wheatear and ring Ouzel.