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.