Teal Lough and Slaghtfreeden Bogs

This blanket bog developed on a free draining fluvio-glacial sand and gravels due to iron pan formation impeding drainage. The bog contains a well developed pool and hummock complex and supports a Sphagnum rich bryophyte carpet with several rare species. The Oligotrophic lough is characteristic of base-poor lakes on peat. The overall habitat supports a notable upland peatland insect fauna.

The blanket bog is characterised by the greater abundance of dwarf-shrubs, particularly Heather and Crowberry, growing over a dense  acid-tolerant, bryophyte carpet on the drier slopes. This becomes intermixed with swards of Purple Moor-grass on wetter, flushed slopes.

The small oligotrophic lough which lies directly adjacent to the bog to the north is typical of base-poor lakes on peat. It is characterised by its aquatic bryophytes, in particular Sphagnum auriculatum and S. cuspidatum, and by its impoverished nature, with a very sparse development of swamp and fen.

Although the range of species present is limited by the naturally exposed and oligotrophic conditions, the bog supports a notable upland peatland insect fauna. A large colony of the Large Heath butterfly is known to be centred on the intact bog area. The upland pondskater Gerris costai, a characteristic but local species of bog pools, is also common, and the shorebug Salda muelleri, for which there are few Irish records, has been found on areas of bare peat on the bog surface.

There is no public access to this site.

Teal Lough II

The blanket bog developed on a free draining fluvio-glacial sand and gravels due to iron pan formation impeding drainage. The bog contains a well developed pool and hummock complex and supports a Sphagnum rich bryophyte carpet with several rare species. The Oligotrophic lough is characteristic of base-poor lakes on peat. The overall habitat supports a notable upland peatland insect fauna.