Flora

Along the trail, you can find…

Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Decorating the landscape with its vibrant yellow flowers and sweet aromas of coconut and vanilla, gorse (also known as ‘furze’ and ‘whin’) is easily recognisable. Listen out on hot summer days when the hairy, blackish fruits dry out and burst open, scattering seeds with a loud cracking “pop”.

Did you know?

This spiny evergreen shrub flowers all year round, leading to the well-known country saying “When the gorse is out of blossom, kissing’s out of fashion”.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

You can find carpets of this low growing shrub under the shade of the oak trees at the top of the small hill behind you. Small bluish-black berries, which give the plant its name, appear in abundance in late summer. These bitter berries are rich in vitamin C and are delicious in tarts, jams and wine.

Did you know?

Bilberries were traditionally gathered widely on the last Sunday in July, so called Fraochán Sunday due to the common Irish name for this plant.

Heathers

From June to September, two low growing bushy shrubs adorn this path with blushes of pink and purple. Look for ling (Calluna vulgaris), with its delicate pink flowers, and bell heather (Erica cinerea), with its purplish-red bell shaped flowers, which can be found growing alongside one another.

Did you know?

Heathers were once used in Ireland as bedding and fodder for livestock, material for brooms and thatch for roofs, for fuel and even ale!

Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)

This prickly member of the rose family is widely known as the ‘blackberry bush’ because of its familiar blue-black berries. An important food for birds and wild animals, they are also a firm favourite with humans! These sweet tasting berries have been eaten by man since Neolithic times and are still enjoyed today in pies, jams and cordials.

Did you know?

The roots of bramble were used in the past as the core for hurling balls.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Be careful! All parts of this plant are poisonous!

The name ‘foxglove’ comes from ‘folk’s glove’, as people used to believe the fairy folk used the purple tube-shaped flowers as gloves! If you look inside the flower, you will notice many red and white spots. These are used as a ‘runway’ to guide bumblebees to the sweet nectar inside. Once the bee is in, the clever plant covers its back with pollen, which will be transferred to the next flower it visits.

Did you know?

Foxgloves contain a powerful drug (Digitalin) which is of huge importance in the treatment of heart conditions.

Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)

Amongst the grass you should see the small yellow flowers of tormentil. This unassuming plant has been used in herbal remedies to treat digestive problems. Its unusual name, taken from the Latin Tormentum, is thought to refer to the pain which it relieves.

Did you know?

The crushed roots of tormentil produce a red dye which was once used to tan leather.