Lullymore West Bog, Co. Kildare

County: Kildare
Area: 4.5 hectares
Bogland Type: cutover bog with species-rich grassland
Year Acquired by IPCC: 2005
This site is not open to the public
Grid Reference: N 693 260
The IPCC can accept no liability for injury to persons visiting the site.

Further Information on the Reserve

Lullymore West is an important area of semi-natural grassland on the north western edge of Lullymore island. Although the site is only 4.5ha, it supports 24 breeding colonies of the endangered Marsh Fritillary Butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia). This species is listed on Annex II of the E.U. Habitats Directive and has a high conservation value. The site was once a raised bog, but has been cut in the past. It now supports natural grassland and birch scrub woodland. The grassland is dominated by sedges, Devil's-Bit Scabious and Purple Moor grass, with an extensive cover of brown mosses such as Pseudoscleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Aulacomnium palustre,Brachythecium rivulare, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Calliergonella cupsidata. The Devil's-Bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) is the larval food plant of the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly and many of these caterpillars have been found feeding on its leaves. The caterpillars, which hatch in summer, form silken 'nests' low in the vegetation in which they hibernate over the winter. In Spring on warm days, they begin to feed. 24 larval nests have been recorded at this site in 2007 and further research and appropriate management of the site may reveal more. Other common plants on the site include Yarrow, Centaury and Autumn Hawkbit. Orchids include Common Twayblade, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Heath Spotted Orchid and Fragrant Orchid. The rich diversity of plant species may be responsible for the large diversity of butterflies recorded at the site. Ireland is host to 28 resident breeding butterfly species, 21 of which have been recorded at Lullymore West. Some of these species include the Dingy Skipper, Wood White, Brimstone, Marsh Fritillary, Silver-Washed Fritillary, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue. The spread of scrub woodland into the grassland areas containing Devil'd Bit Scabious represents a threat to the Marsh Fritillary butterfly.

Lullymore West is bordered by a coniferous forest plantation to the west and by agricultural grassland to the north and east. The south of the site is bordered by a track running from Lullymore Island.

Discovery map showing the location of Lullymore West Bog, Co. Kildare, represented by a black triangle.

Air photograph image showing the location of Lodge Bog, Co. Kildare. The raised bog outlined in yellow and marked A is to be transferred to IPCC from Bord na Móna. A portion of the bog in private ownership lies to the west of the yellow boundary line adjacent to mineral soil. The edge of the mineral soil island of Lullymore can be seen which is the location of a monastic settlement. The extensive areas of industrial cutaway peatland can be seen to the North and East of the site. Photo courtesty of Bord na Móna.

Surface of Lullymore West in summer showing the purple flowers of Devil's Bit Scabious, the food source for the caterpillars of rare European Marsh Fritillary Butterfly. Adult butterflies take nectar from the flowers. Lullymore West is to be acquired for conservation by the IPCC during 2005. Management of the site for the conservation of the butterflies will include removal of invasive birch trees, fencing and the setting up of a monitoring programme of marsh fritillary and other butterflies on the site.

The adult marsh fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia) on Lullymore West Bog in Co. Kildare. This species is rare and endangered in Europe and is protected under the EU Habitats Directive. The site is a mecca for butterflies with 21 out of 28 of the Irish resident breeding butterfly species recorded here.

Lullymore West Bog Conservation Plan

IPCC developed a Conservation Management Plan for Lullymore West Bog to guide activities at the site for the next five years. The overall aim of the Conservation Plan for Lullymore West Bog is to conserve the biodiversity of butterflies and moths on the site. The plan contains eight objectives as follows:

1. To maintain the marsh fritillary butterfly population on Lullymore West Bog and to expand the area of suitable habitat for the butterfly.
2. To ensure that the boundaries of Lullymore West Bog are visible to the public.
3. To prevent harmful human affects to Lullymore West Bog.
4. To increase the Health and Safety awareness of visitors and researchers.
5. To monitor Lullymore West Bog so as to ensure the effectiveness of the Conservation Plan.
6. To encourage further research on Lullymore West Bog and to maintain an archive of research findings.
7. To retain the traditional use of Lullymore West Bog as a training site for surveyors of the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly.
8. To seek local and national recognition of the conservation importance of Lullymore West Bog.

Lullymore West Bog Conservation Plan Sponsors

IPCC wish to acknowledge and thank all those volunteers, friends of the bog, companies and grant awarding bodies who have helped us to conserve Lullymore West Bog, develop a Conservation Management Plan for the Site and undertake a variety of protection, research and educational activities at the site in 2007.

If you would like to make a donation to the project help to conserve and manage Lullymore West Bog please follow this link

Please make your donation today to the Lullymore West Bog Conservation Project

If you would like to learn more about the life cycle of the marsh fritillary butterfly follow this link

Marsh Fritillary Butterfly

Irish Peatland Conservation Council Registered Charity Number CHY6829