Carrick Barr is situated on the western shores of Lough Golagh, near Lough
Derg, in the southeastern corner of Co. Donegal. The project site occupies
an area of 22.2 hectares, 12 hectares of which are afforested with conifers.
The unplanted portion of the site lies within Dunragh Loughs/Pettigo
Plateau Special Area of Conservation. This SAC is notable for the large
area of good quality, almost undisturbed blanket bog habitat and ranks as
one of the best remaining blanket bog landscapes in County Donegal.
The project area includes some very wet intact blanket bog, areas of bog
planted with conifers and an area planted with broadleaves (mainly birch
and alder). The main area of wet bog within the site is surrounded on
three sides by plantation and contains numerous pools which support species
such as Sphagnum cuspidatum, many-flowered bog-cotton (Eriophorum
angustifolium) and mud sedge (Carex limosa). The small area of
planted broadleaves, which occurs within the site, will be retained. Although
the trees in this area are not achieving commercial growth rates and are in
the main quite stunted, they do provide some woodland habitat in an area
where deciduous woodland is generally scarce. The main restoration measures
include the felling of the conifer stands and the elevation of water
levels through drain blocking.