Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 4: Biodiversity and Landscape

1. Page 11

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 113 Table 4.7 Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR) Sites in County Offaly Ramsar Site Area Designated (hectares) Site Number Clara Bog 460 415 Mongan Bog 127 416 Raheenmore Bog 162 417 Slieve Bloom Mountains 2,230 335 Table 4.8 Biogenetic Reserves Clara Bog Mongan Bog Slieve Bloom Mountains Raheenmore Bog Figure 4.5 Bog Cotton

2. Page 12

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 114 4.5 Non-Designated Areas The Council recognises that nature conservation is not just confined to Designated sites and acknowledges the need to protect non-designated sites such as plant species protected under the Flora (Protection) Order 2015 and animal species protected under the Wildlife Act 1976 and the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended. Certain plant, animal and bird species are protected by law. This includes plant species listed in the Flora Protection Order, 1999 (or other such orders) and animals and birds listed in the Wildlife Act, 1976 and subsequent statutory instruments, those listed in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive, and those listed in Annex 1 of the Birds Directive. The planning process should seek to further protect and enhance those species (currently protected by law) and their habitats. Table 4.9 below lists the sites in County Offaly, which are designated for the protection of plants, species and habitats. These are designated under the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976. (S.I. No. 338 of 1980). It should be noted that protected species are protected wherever they occur and not just within designated sites. The Flora Protection Order S.I. No. 94 of 1999 lists the species of flora, which are protected, and also protects the habitat or environment of protected flora, making it an offence to wilfully alter or otherwise interfere with these areas. The occurrence in Offaly of species protected under the Flora Protection Order is shown in Table 4.10 below. The Council shall protect plant and animal species that are listed under Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended in 2000). Some of the rarest flora species are protected under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. The current list of protected species is set out in the Flora (Protection) Order, (1999) which supersedes orders made in 1980 and 1987. Under the Habitats Directive there is a requirement that certain species listed in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive are strictly protected. These species are not necessarily associated with areas subject to a specific designation. Table 4.9 Sites designated for the protection of plants, species and habitats Grand Canal at Tullamore (N 340 250) Grand Canal at Kilbeggan (N.35 35) Shannon Harbour near Bullock Island (N020 178) Camus Callows, Clonmacnoise (N02 31)

3. Page 13

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 115 Table 4.10 Occurrence in Offaly of species protected under the Flora Protection Order (1999) Species Notes Location Grid Reference Basil Thyme Eskers; dry speciesrich grasslands The Long Derries, Edenderry Roadside, Portarlington Road, Edenderry Rabbit Burrow, Church Hill, Blueball, Tullamore. N6568 2933 N6200 3096 N2513 2251 Red Hemp Nettle Eskers; dry speciesrich grasslands Coneycarn Pit, Glaster, Birr. Murphy’s Bridge Esker, Tullamore. Agall Quarry, Blueball, Tullamore. N00247 10774 N37476 30877 N26977 23048 Opposite-Leaved pondweed Mesotrophic lakes/water bodies Shannon Harbour (drain between road and callows). Tullamore River N030 180 N340 250 Meadow Barley Waste ground, banks, field edges Banagher (grazed meadow lying between the Shannon and the old railway line). Minus Island, Banagher. N01172 16232 N02198 18515 Slender Cotton Grass Peatlands Sharavogue Bog S052988 4.6 Geology, Eskers and Quarries 4.6.1 Geology The Irish Geological Heritage (IGH) Programme has identified sites of national or local geological heritage importance, which are classed as County Geological Sites (CGS) which have been adopted into the National Heritage Plan. Table 4.11 below includes a schedule of CGS identified by the IGH Programme for Protection in County Offaly in 2016. County Offaly contains the most significant collection of Mushroom Stones in Ireland. Mushroom stones are solitary sentinels of limestone, shaped like mushrooms from prolonged exposure to lapping waves at the edge of postglacial lakes which have since vanished or retreated. These stones are important geomorphological and archaeological features, giving us information about past landscapes and landscape change while ancient lichen communities continue to live on many of them. A Geopark is a territory with a well-defined management structure in place where the geological heritage is of outstanding significance and is used to develop sustainable tourism opportunities. The Council considers that there is some scope for considering whether the eskers of Offaly and adjacent counties (principally Westmeath) could meet the criteria for a Geopark application with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

4. Page 14

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 116 Table 4.11 Schedule of County Geological Sites identified by the Irish Geological Heritage Programme for Protection in County Offaly in 2016 Site Name Designation Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM) Co-ordinates Ballyduff Esker County Geological Site 630860E 727560N (centre of esker at Ballykilmurry) Ballylin Mushroom Rock County Geological Site 611676E 726581N Ballynagarbry (Mount Temple) Esker County Geological Site 622050E 7384OON (centre of esker) Camcor Forest Quarry County Geological Site 621120E 704600N (Camcor Forest Entrance, R440) Clara Bog County Geological Site; recommended for Geological NHA 624890E 730400N (Boardwalk) Clonbulloge Spring County Geological Site 660696E 723690N Clonkeen Mushroom Rock County Geological Site 660080E 723125N Clonmacnoise Esker County Geological Site; recommended for Geological NHA 600870E 730650N (centre of esker at Clonmacnoise) Clorhane Mushroom Rocks County Geological Site 598775E 728172N Clorhane Quarries County Geological Site 598800E 727695N Crancreagh Mushroom Rock County Geological Site; recommended for Geological NHA 607500E 716495N Creevgh Mushroom Rocks County Geological Site 699760E 729270N Crinkill Mushroom Rock County Geological Site 605810E 703123N Croghan Hill County Geological Site; recommended for Geological NHA 648050E 733140N Derrinlough Mushroom Rock County Geological Site 608509E 715093N Drinagh Mushroom Rock County Geological Site 610560E 715868N Endrim Mushroom Rock County Geological Site 608900E 728785N

5. Page 15

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 117 Kilcormac Esker County Geological Site; recommended for Geological NHA 616500E 714700N (centre of main esker segment, near Kilcormac) Kinnitty Eskers County Geological Site 617335E 707535N (centre of main esker segment) Little Brosna-Shannon Confluence County Geological Site; recommended for Geological NHA 594750E 713000N (Little Brosna- Shannon confluence) Lough Boora Parklands County Geological Site 618200E 719050N (at centre of feature) Marlows Hole County Geological Site 626340E 719725N Mongan Bog County Geological Site 603300E 730850N (centre of bog) Mount Briscoe Cave County Geological Site 649740E 729200N Screggan Fan County Geological Site 629170E 722250N Sillogue Spring County Geological Site 631360E 730290N Silver River County Geological Site 622700E 708515N (Cadamstown Bridge) Toberdaly County Geological Site 651670E 731710N

6. Page 16

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 118 Figure 4.6 Images of Lough Boora Discovery Park 4.6.2 Eskers Eskers are glacial features composed of ridges of sand and gravel deposited at the end of the Ice Age. The Council recognises the unique importance of Offaly’s Esker Landscape deriving from its geological, zoological, botanical, scientific and landscape value. An Offaly Esker Study published in 2006 is a valuable source of information regarding the existing eskers in part of the county. There are twenty esker systems in Offaly containing 208 segments. Each esker system comprises a landform or series of landforms (esker segments) having a single process history, in a specific zone. The esker system covers over 4,000 acres in Offaly. The esker system examined by this survey, the Clonmacnoise Esker, is the largest esker system in the county, covering 5.79 km² and comprising one-third of the area of all eskers in the county. The study found that the Clonmacnoise esker system is of international importance due to its high habitat and species diversity and supports the designation of the Clomacnoise esker system as a pNHA. The Study also confirms the importance of including policies in the Offaly Development Plan to restrict exploitation on eskers and suggested a further focus on pit restoration. In addition, the Study recommends the Clonmacnoise esker system, as well as many of its adjacent esker systems in Offaly, has the potential to host a portion of a Geopark spanning the Westmeath-Offaly region. Figure 4.7 below shows the location of the esker systems in the county. This map is based on revised Quaternary geological and geomorphological mapping prepared by the GSI that is based on high resolution digital elevation models, high resolution aerial imagery, national subsoil permeability data, field mapping in certain low confidence areas and academic literature.

7. Page 17

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 119 Figure 4.7 Location of esker systems in County Offaly The Council recognises the importance of increasing cycling and pedestrian access to esker sites, similar to the Pilgrim path walking route from Clonmacnoise to the River Shannon Callows and Mongans Bog, which have the potential to increase public awareness and appreciation of these sites. 4.6.3 Quarries Offaly has a number of exhausted or worked out quarries and sand and gravel pits, where activity has ceased. It is now recognised that worked out quarries have potential as rich habitat and nesting sites. The Council encourages operators to consult with the Irish Concrete Federation (ICF) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) document “Guidelines for the Protection of Biodiversity within the Extractive Industry” which advises how biodiversity can be catered for from planning applications through to operations and rehabilitation of a quarry. 4.7 Peatlands Notwithstanding the extensive peat production which has taken place at various sites within the county, peatlands act as important amenity areas for locals and visitors while also contributing significantly to climate change mitigation and adaptation, providing important carbon sinks, water attenuation and flooding protection. Peatlands are considered to be very important ecosystems and many of the county’s bogs are listed designated sites under Annex I (habitats) of the EU Directive and are listed in Table 4.2 of this chapter.

8. Page 18

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 120 National environmental policies are dictating that domestic turf cutting on these designated raised bogs will be phased out over the coming years. The future rehabilitation of peatlands offers great potential to enhance and restore natural systems (natural assets) and increase the flow of ecosystem goods and services like flood regulation, water purification, habitat and species biodiversity as well as amenity and recreational activity. It is necessary for the Council to continue to liaise with various government and non-government organisations in an effort to secure the conservation of the peatlands in the county. The National Peatland Strategy produced by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the NPWS aims to provide a long-term management framework to optimise the social, environmental and economic contribution of all peatlands within the State, setting out supports, structures, funding mechanisms and regulatory frameworks to promote a partnership approach to their sustainable development. The Council recognises that the development of peatways offer a unique alternative means for tourists and visitors to access and enjoy rural parts of the county while supporting the development of rural communities and job creation in the rural economy, as well as the protection and promotion of natural assets and biodiversity. The development of Lough Boora Discovery Park in Offaly, voted ‘Irelands Favourite Place’ in a nationwide Royal Town Planning Institute competition in 2018, is an example of a suitable after use for a cutaway bog, providing important habitats for a wide range of animals, birds and plants along with amenity facilities such as a Sculpture Park, visitor centre, angling area, bird watching facilities and walking and cycling routes. The Council recognises other potential long-term opportunities on rehabilitated peatlands such as the development of; • a ‘Regional Peatway’ connecting natural and cultural attractions and the development of a National Park for the raised bog peatlands in the midlands; and • ‘Peatland and Nature Corridors’ as shown on Figure 4.9 (b) and addressed in Objective BLO- 28. The Council envisages that ‘Peatland and Nature Corridors’ will be large areas that are; • characterised by an absence of intrusive human activity, settlements, infrastructure or visual disturbance encouraging visitors to ‘go off the beaten track’, ‘to get away from it all’ and ‘to immerse themselves in nature’; • composed of natural habitats and species and regenerated peatlands; • located close to major tourist attractions such as Clonmacnoise, the River Shannon and the Grand Canal Greenway which provide opportunities to develop a network of interlinked ‘peatways’ by reusing existing turbary access tracks and bog railway lines along with routes of this nature.

9. Page 19

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 121 Figure 4.8 Peatlands in County Offaly Figure 4.9 Lough Boora Discovery Park

10. Page 20

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    Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 4 Biodiversity and Landscape Page 122 Figure 4.9 (b) Peatland and Nature Corridors 4.8 Lakes, Waterways and Wetland Landscapes County Offaly contains a number of important rivers, canals, lakes and wetland landscapes, listed in Table 4.12 below, which are of great importance both as amenity resources and wildlife habitats but also are of benefit for the management of fluvial and pluvial flooding. The number of wetland landscapes in the county is expected to increase post Bord na Móna harvesting, as part of the targeted rehabilitation under the company’s Integrated Pollution Control Licences (cessation of pumping, drain blocking and dam building) of former bare peat production areas and also due to the continued effects of climate change. Existing and new wetland landscapes create a rich mosaic of semi-natural habitats including open water, poor fen, rich fen, scrub grassland and heathland. Table 4.12 Lakes, Waterways and Wetland Landscapes in County Offaly Rivers Canals Lakes Wetlands River Shannon, River Barrow, River Brosna, Figile River, Camcor Grand Canal Natural Lakes: Pallas Lake Natural Wetlands: Shannon Callows

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