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You are here: Home > Castlewellan Historic Demesne > Wildlife in Castlewellan Historic Demesne > Bluebells / Hyacinthoides non-scripta / An Cloigín

Bluebells / Hyacinthoides non-scripta / An Cloigín Gorm

Bluebells / Hyacinthoides non-scripta / An Cloigín Gorm

Whilst going for a woodland walk during mid-spring, it is a true joy to be greeted by a carpet of bluebells. The striking colour and delicate scent is familiar to many of us, but although reasonably widespread on the island of Ireland, the population here is significant as its global range has decreased rapidly in recent years. This is due to habitat loss and cross-breeding with the Spanish Bluebell, which was introduced for commercial horticulture.

Bluebells provide a particularly valuable early source of nectar for pollinators but are poisonous to humans. They favour broadleaf woodland and take advantage of the dabbled light in Spring before the tree leaves form a dense canopy overhead.

At Castlewellan...Read More

Bluebells / Hyacinthoides non-scripta / An Cloigín Gorm

Whilst going for a woodland walk during mid-spring, it is a true joy to be greeted by a carpet of bluebells. The striking colour and delicate scent is familiar to many of us, but although reasonably widespread on the island of Ireland, the population here is significant as its global range has decreased rapidly in recent years. This is due to habitat loss and cross-breeding with the Spanish Bluebell, which was introduced for commercial horticulture.

Bluebells provide a particularly valuable early source of nectar for pollinators but are poisonous to humans. They favour broadleaf woodland and take advantage of the dabbled light in Spring before the tree leaves form a dense canopy overhead.

At Castlewellan areas that are favourable to bluebells are being opened through targeted scrub removal. Because of this there has been a marked increase in the population, particularly to the North side of the lake.

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LocationEnglish Street, Downpatrick

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LocationNewry

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LocationEnglish Street, Downpatrick

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LocationDownpatrick

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Down County Museum is located in the old county Gaol of Down. It houses fascinating exhibitions on…

More Highlights

Drawing Materials

LocationEnglish Street, Downpatrick

Drawing in Down

Drop into Down County Museum, pick up a pencil and draw!

Drawing Workshop at Newry and Mourne Museum

LocationNewry

Drawing Day has become a major annual event for Museums North and South focusing on a range of…

Sketching Masterclass with Kieron Black

LocationEnglish Street, Downpatrick

Sketching Masterclass with Kieron Black

Free sketching masterclass at Down County Museum this Drawing Day, Saturday 17 May.

Entrance to Down County Museum, Downpatrick

LocationDownpatrick

Down County Museum

Down County Museum is located in the old county Gaol of Down. It houses fascinating exhibitions on…

More Highlights

Drawing Materials

LocationEnglish Street, Downpatrick

Drawing in Down

Drop into Down County Museum, pick up a pencil and draw!

Drawing Workshop at Newry and Mourne Museum

LocationNewry

Drawing Day has become a major annual event for Museums North and South focusing on a range of…

Sketching Masterclass with Kieron Black

LocationEnglish Street, Downpatrick

Sketching Masterclass with Kieron Black

Free sketching masterclass at Down County Museum this Drawing Day, Saturday 17 May.

Entrance to Down County Museum, Downpatrick

LocationDownpatrick

Down County Museum

Down County Museum is located in the old county Gaol of Down. It houses fascinating exhibitions on…

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