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Cummeragh River Bog, Co. Kerry

• County: Kerry
• Area: 49 ha
• Bogland Type: Valley Bog
• Natural Heritage Area Number: 365
• Year Purchased by IPCC: 1992
• Year Declared National Nature Reserve: 1994
• 1/2" Map Number: 20
• National Grid Reference: V 580 710
• How to get there: The site is located 2 km south west of Lough Namona and Cloonaghlin Lough and circa 8 km north east of Waterville in County Kerry. Access to the site is via a minor road/track off the road from Waterville Derriana Lough and Coshcummeragh.
  
  Location of Cummeragh River Bog, Co Kerry

  The IPCC can accept no liability for injury to persons visiting the site.

Further Information on Reserve

Cummeragh River bog is a slightly domed lowland valley bog which is encircled by the Cummeragh River and its tributary. It is one of the most southerly bogs in Ireland.

The bog is in excellent condition with a virtually intact margin, a rare phenomenon on most Irish bogs which have suffered from marginal peat cutting. The bog slopes gently towards the margins with the Cummeragh River, where peat banks 2 to 3 m tall occur.

The terrain on the surface of the bog is relatively uniform with little topographical variation. The microtopography of the bog surface shows a series of hummock and hollows reminiscent of raised bogs, and includes well developed pool systems.

The vegetation is remarkably undisturbed and due to the absence of grazing and burning is mature and luxuriant. The Black bog rush (Schoenus nigricans) is a conspicuous element of the vegetation, along with more typical heathers, grasses and sedges in particular the White Beak Sedge (Rhynchospora alba). The site shows a rich Sphagnum flora including frequent hummocks of Sphagnum imbricatum occur, as well as Sphagnum papillosum, S. capillifolium and S. cuspidatum. The pools include a number of species including Bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata), Eleocharis multicaulis and aquatic sphagna.

In the centre of the bog there is an extensive pool system with numerous bog islands. The pools are fringed by tall specimens of Black bog rush. Some of the pools contain the Yellow Water Lily (Nymphaea lutea).

In addition to the plants on the bog the area is also a haven for wildlife. Of particular note are otter which traverse the bog and hunt in the Cummeragh River. Other species you may see or find evidence of include fox, hare, mallard, Pipit, skylark and snipe.

Many of the bogs adjacent to the Cummeragh reserve have been badly overgrazed and are showing signs of erosion, a factor which make the protection of this intact reserve all the more important.

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