Garrane lies in the beautifully scenic valley below Bealach Oisín, some 15 kilometres
southwest of Killorglin, Co. Kerry. The site adjoins the Caragh River, a well-studied
river catchment which is considered to be acid-sensitive, and lies within the
Killarney National Park, MacGillycuddys' Reeks and Caragh River Catchment Special
Area of Conservation.
The project area consists of 17.9 hectares of conifer plantation planted on
wet ground which comprises a mosaic of blanket bog, wet heath and blanket
bog flush habitats. On the hill slopes to the south there is a small area
of broadleaved scrub, dominated by birch (Betula pubescens). The conifers
have only formed closed canopy over parts of the site and throughout the
plantation areas of blanket bog and wet heath vegetation still occur. This
vegetation is generally dominated by purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea)
and bog myrtle (Myrica gale). The northern third of this plantation occupies
the flood-plain of the adjoining Caragh river and thus is subject to regular
inundation during periods of flood. The conifers in this area have grown well.
At this site the conifer crop will be felled, left on site and any significant
drains will be blocked.