Slieve Beagh

Slieve Beagh is one of the most extensive areas of intact blanket bog in Northern Ireland. It contains a comparatively large area of a mixture of generally Sphagnum-rich mire vegetation with cross-leaved heath and, together with deergrass and hare’s-tail Cottongrass with high dwarf-shrub cover. It is less markedly oceanic than other Northern Ireland sites but has some limited areas of surface patterning

Slieve Beagh supports the third largest area of intact blanket bog in Northern Ireland. The intact area of the bog covers 1,100 ha which accounts for 58% of the total site. Much of the peripheral peatland included within the proposed SAC boundary has been modified by activities such as turf cutting, drainage and over grazing, however these modified areas still support good quality bog vegetation. The intact bog exhibits a range of notable structural features such as occasional well developed hummocks and lawn complexes, a few localised pool complexes, as well as soakways and flushes. The bog vegetation is characterised by Sphagnum mosses.

The area supports a breeding population of Red Grouse and is regularly used throughout the year by Golden Plover and Hen Harrier.

There is no public access to this site.