Wild Walks: Clogeenmilcon Sanctuary, Blarney
Clogeenmilcon Woods is situated on the eastern edge of Blarney, south of the R617. Also known as ‘Blarney bog’, this site consists of over 100 acres of wildlife sanctuary (designated National Heritage Area), with a mixture of wet grassland, peatland, and broad-leaved woodland.
Vegetation is typical of the habitat types. The woods contain an abundance of Willow, Oak and Beech. Silver birch, field horsetail and black medickare also present in the area.
Trail entrance
This trail can be accessed by the Clogeenmilcon car park
Trail length
6.4 km
Notable Wildlife
Silver birch
Scientific name: Betula pendula
Irish name: Beith gheal
Silver birch is a medium sized deciduous tree that reaches roughly 30 m in height. The silver bark sheds layers like paper and darkens closer to the base, while the open canopy allows for ground vegetation like ferns, flowers, and moss to grow.
Common nettle
Scientific name: Urtica dioica
Irish name: Neantóg
In Ireland, the common nettle is an important larval foodplant for many butterfly species. Most people know nettles for their sting, which is a reaction to acid touching a person’s skin when the plants tiny white hairs are broken off.
Field horsetail
Scientific name: Equisetum arvense
Irish name: Scuab eich ghoirt
An unusual looking plant, the field horsetail or common horsetail is native to Ireland. It is a close relative of ferns and is descendant from ancient plants that were as tall as trees. They do not reproduce via pollen but by spores, like ferns.
Black medic
Scientific name: Medicago lupulina
Irish name: Dúmheidic
Black medic is a peaflower characterised by bright yellow flowers that cluster together. The seedpods are kidney shaped and become black when ripe. The seeds and leave are edible for humans and are also highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Yellow iris
Scientific name: Iris pseudacorus
Irish name: Feileastram
This is a beautifully unique looking water iris that can be found growing on the edge of ponds and water bodies, as well as along wet ditches, marshes, and bogs. They produce bright yellow flowers from June to August and is attractive to bees. Yellow iris is toxic to pets and people but not livestock and birds.
Black cap
Scientific name: Sylvia atricapilla
Irish name: Caipín dubh
This bird belongs to the warbler family. Males have a black crown and females a chestnut crown on top of their heads. They are roughly the same size as a robin but have a grey body. This species is also known to have a marvellous song, rich and long.
Caretaker of the Cork Nature Network website
