Walk: Aughinish Alumina Nature Trail
Starting Point: Askeaton, Co. Limerick
Services: Askeaton
Difficulty: Easy
To Suit: All levels of fitness
The Aughinish Alumina Nature Trail is a self guided nature trail through wild countryside in County Limerick - 32km west of Limerick City along the south bank of the Shannon Estuary. A bird hide allows viewing of Winter migrant flocks on the mud flats.
This disused quarry is Irelands first sanctuary for butterflies with a habitat management programme specifically for the benefit of out native butterflies. It has a carpet of 'bird's foot trefoil' and 'kidney vetch'. These are the food plants of the 'dingy skipper' and 'small blue butterfly'. 'Bee orchidds' are common here while 'ravens' nest on the cliff ledges.
This habitat has areas where the grass is kept short to attract various thrushes and wintering curlew.
This type of habitat is now rare in Ireland. Grasses, herbs and wild flowers grow in abundance giving a colorful display during the summer. The constant singing of the skylark can be heard along with the meadow 'pipits' and 'cuckoo'. Small heath butterflies can also be found.
Location: Askeaton, Co. Limerick
Tel: +353 61 604000
Fax: +353 61 604001
E-mail: Pat.Lynch@augh.com
Head Office, Shannon Town Centre,
Shannon, Co Clare: t: +353 (0)61 361555 f: +353 (0)61 361903