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Coordinates: 54°14′03″N 5°51′10″W / 54.23417°N 5.85278°W / 54.23417; -5.85278
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{{Short description|Northern Irish nature reserve}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox protected area
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| name = Murlough Nature Reserve
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'''Murlough Nature Reserve''' lies on the coast of [[County Down]] in [[Northern Ireland]], situated close to [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]]. It has views of [[Slieve Donard]], the highest peak in the [[Mourne Mountains]] and [[Dundrum Bay]]. Its 6,000-year-old sand dune system has been managed by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] since 1967, when it became [[Ireland]]'s first nature reserve.<ref name="DN">{{cite web | title=Murlough National Nature Reserve | work=Discover Northern Ireland | url=http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Murlough-National-Nature-Reserve-Dundrum-Newcastle-P3004 | accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref> Grid ref: J414351.<ref name="MM">{{cite web | title=Murlough National Nature Reserve | work=The Mourne Mountains | url=http://www.mournemountains.com/murloughbay.htm | accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref>
'''Murlough Nature Reserve''' is a [[dune]] [[heathland]] on the coast of [[County Down]] in [[Northern Ireland]], near [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]]. It is on a peninsula between [[Dundrum Bay]] and Murlough Bay ({{Irish place name|Murlach|sea inlet}}) and has views of [[Slieve Donard]], the highest peak in the [[Mourne Mountains]]. Its 6,000-year-old sand dune system has been managed by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] since 1967, when it became [[Ireland]]'s first nature reserve.<ref name="DN">{{cite web | title=Murlough National Nature Reserve | work=Discover Northern Ireland | url=http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Murlough-National-Nature-Reserve-Dundrum-Newcastle-P3004 | accessdate=2008-12-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220115817/http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Murlough-National-Nature-Reserve-Dundrum-Newcastle-P3004 | archive-date=2016-12-20 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It is also home to Murlough Beach.


==Features==
==Features==
At 697 acres,<ref name="MM"/> it is the most extensive example of dune heath within Ireland, with a network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes.<ref name="DN"/> Breeding birds include [[meadow pipit]], [[skylark]], [[cuckoo]], [[stonechat]], [[linnet]] and [[reed bunting]]. Shorehauling [[grey seal]] and [[common seal]]s are also common in the area. Between 50 and 130 common and grey seals regularly use the area for moulting, resting and feeding.<ref>{{cite web | title=Murlough National Nature Reserve | work=National Trust | url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northernireland/w-northernireland-countryside_environment/w-northernireland-places_visit-coast/w-northernireland-places_visit-coast-down.htm#murl | accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref> Rare plants local to the site are [[pyramidal orchid]] and [[Carlina|carline thistle]].
At 697 acres,<ref name="MM"/> it is the largest dune heathland in Ireland, with a network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes.<ref name="DN"/> Breeding birds include [[meadow pipit]], [[Eurasian skylark]], [[common cuckoo]], [[European stonechat]], [[common linnet]] and [[common reed bunting]]. Shorehauling [[grey seal]] and [[common seal]]s are also common in the area. Between 50 and 130 common and grey seals regularly use the area for moulting, resting and feeding.<ref>{{cite web | title=Murlough National Nature Reserve | work=National Trust | url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northernireland/w-northernireland-countryside_environment/w-northernireland-places_visit-coast/w-northernireland-places_visit-coast-down.htm#murl | accessdate=2008-12-22 | archive-date=2008-10-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015180228/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northernireland/w-northernireland-countryside_environment/w-northernireland-places_visit-coast/w-northernireland-places_visit-coast-down.htm#murl | url-status=live }}</ref> Rare plants local to the site are [[pyramidal orchid]] and [[Carlina|carline thistle]].


It also has access to a shingle beach and four mile Blue Flag strand.<ref name="DN"/>
On the Dundrum Bay side of the nature reserve is Murlough Beach, a shingle beach and four-mile-long [[Blue Flag beach]].<ref name="DN"/>


Grid ref: J414351.<ref name="MM">{{cite web | title=Murlough National Nature Reserve | work=The Mourne Mountains | url=http://www.mournemountains.com/murloughbay.htm | accessdate=2008-12-22 | archive-date=2008-12-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222020851/http://www.mournemountains.com/murloughbay.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>
Murlough makes up one fifth of all dune heathland in the [[British Isles]], but remains under threat from the encroachment of scrub vegetation such as [[bracken]] and [[gorse]] and non-native species such as Sea Buckthorn. In 1999 the National Trust established the South Down Heathland project, a five-year programme to protect the habitat. It has been designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.<ref name="MM"/>


==History==
==History==
In 1857, the 4th [[Marquess of Downshire]] built Murlough House as a summer residence on the peninsula. They built a wooden bridge connecting to Keel Point, replaced in 1893 with the current granite one.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Trotter |first1=Robert |title=The Marquess of Downshire and the Dundrum Estate |journal=Lecale Review |date=2021 |volume=19}}</ref>
The area has evidence of human habitation from Neolithic times, through the Bronze Age to the present day.<ref name="DN"/> In the 12th century a rabbit warren was established on the site by the [[Normans]] for their meat and pelts. This had a major influence on the development of the heath and grassland found today. A particularly stormy period in the 13th and 14th centuries resulted in a huge movement of sand which led to the unusually high dunes also found today.<ref name="MM"/>


The house and sand dunes were extensively used by the US Army during the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web |title=Murlough, Dundrum and Clough |url=https://gitrailni.com/gitrail/murlough-dundrum-and-clough/?doing_wp_cron=1656410177.7192430496215820312500 |website=GI Trail NI - discover the path the GI's took in Northern Ireland. |access-date=28 June 2022 |date=2 February 2016}}</ref> In 1942 the US 1st Battalion, 13th Armored (1st Division) arrived followed by the 818th Tank Destroyer Battalion (XV Corps) in April 1944.<ref>{{cite web |title=United States Army Forces in Northern Ireland Stations of Units |url=https://history.army.mil/reference/ireland/nistat.htm |access-date=28 June 2022}}</ref>
⚫
==Moths and butterflies==
⚫
Several rare moths and butterflies can be found within the reserve. Of the 23 butterfly species recorded at Murlough, the [[marsh fritillary]] (''Euphydryas aurinia''), is of European importance - other notable species include [[dark green fritillary|dark-green fritillary]] (''Argynnis aglaja''), [[Grayling (butterfly)|grayling]] (''Hipparchia semele'') and [[Leptidea juvernica|cryptic wood white]] (''Leptidea juvernica''). One species, the [[Lasiommata megera|wall brown]] butterfly (''Lasiommata megera'') has not been recorded for several years and is considered extinct at this site.
⚫
Over 660 species of moth have been recorded within the boundary of Murlough Nature Reserve, more than at any other site in Northern Ireland - examples include [[Deilephila porcellus|small elephant hawkmoth]] (''Deilephila porcellus''), [[Agrotis ripae|sand dart]] (''Agrotis ripae'') and the micro moths ''[[Pyrausta cingulata]]'' and ''[[Hysterophora maculosana]]''. The total number of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) recorded within the nature reserve boundary is 685 (348 macro moths, 314 micro moths and 23 butterflies). Migrant species noted in the area have included:


⚫
==Moths and butterflies==
* ''[[Dioryctria simplicella]]'' (1st record for Ireland)
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2022}}
* ''[[Hypsopygia glaucinalis]]'' (1st record for Ireland)
⚫
Several rare moths and butterflies can be found within the reserve. 23 butterfly species have been recorded at Murlough NNR, the [[marsh fritillary]] (''Euphydryas aurinia''), is of European importance - other notable species include [[dark green fritillary|dark-green fritillary]] (''Argynnis aglaja''), [[Grayling (butterfly)|grayling]] (''Hipparchia semele'') and [[Leptidea juvernica|cryptic wood white]] (''Leptidea juvernica''). One species, the [[Lasiommata megera|wall brown]] butterfly (''Lasiommata megera'') has not been recorded for several years.
* Small goldenrod plume (''[[Hellinsia osteodactylus]]'') (1st record for Ireland)
⚫
787 species of moth have been recorded at Murlough Nature Reserve - examples include [[Deilephila porcellus|small elephant hawkmoth]] (''Deilephila porcellus''), [[Agrotis ripae|sand dart]] (''Agrotis ripae'') and the micro moths ''[[Pyrausta cingulata]]'' and ''[[Hysterophora maculosana]]''. A total of 810 Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) have been recorded within the nature reserve boundary.
* Cosmopolitan (''[[Leucania loreyi]]'') (1st record for Northern Ireland)
* Tawny pinion (''[[Lithophane semibrunnea]]'') (1st record for Northern Ireland)
* Double line (''[[Mythimna turca]]'') (1st record for Northern Ireland)


In 2012 a Stephens' gem (''[[Megalographa biloba]]'') was recorded at Murlough NNR - this was the 1st record for Ireland of this North American moth species.
Notable migrant species noted in the area have included: cosmopolitan (''[[Leucania loreyi]]''), white-speck, the delicate. In 2012 a Stephens' gem (''[[Megalographa biloba]]'') was recorded at Murlough NNR - this was the 1st record for Ireland of this North American species.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Murlough National Nature Reserve (01), January 2010.JPG|Sign board, January 2010
File:Murlough National Nature Reserve (12), February 2010.JPG|Landscape, February 2010
File:Murlough National Nature Reserve (10), February 2010.JPG|Walkway, February 2010
File:Murlough Nature Reserve.jpg|Gorse-covered dunes, May 2021
File:Murlough National Nature Reserve (25), February 2010.JPG|Gorse burning, February 2010
File:Murlough National Nature Reserve (25), February 2010.JPG|Gorse burning, February 2010
File:Murlough_Nature_Reserve_-_geograph.org.uk_-_82876.jpg|Exmoor ponies at Murlough, used for grazing management
File:Murlough_Nature_Reserve_-_geograph.org.uk_-_82876.jpg|Exmoor ponies at Murlough, used for grazing management

Latest revision as of 21:12, 24 November 2023

Murlough Nature Reserve
Murlough Nature Reserve, February 2010
Located on the south east coast of Northern Ireland
Located on the south east coast of Northern Ireland
Location of Murlough Nature Reserve in Northern Ireland
LocationCounty Down, Northern Ireland
Nearest cityBelfast
Coordinates54°14′03″N 5°51′10″W / 54.23417°N 5.85278°W / 54.23417; -5.85278
Area697 acres (2.82 km2)
Established1967
Governing bodyNational Trust

Murlough Nature Reserve is a dune heathland on the coast of County Down in Northern Ireland, near Newcastle. It is on a peninsula between Dundrum Bay and Murlough Bay (Irish: Murlach, meaning 'sea inlet') and has views of Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mourne Mountains. Its 6,000-year-old sand dune system has been managed by the National Trust since 1967, when it became Ireland's first nature reserve.[1] It is also home to Murlough Beach.

Features

[edit]

At 697 acres,[2] it is the largest dune heathland in Ireland, with a network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes.[1] Breeding birds include meadow pipit, Eurasian skylark, common cuckoo, European stonechat, common linnet and common reed bunting. Shorehauling grey seal and common seals are also common in the area. Between 50 and 130 common and grey seals regularly use the area for moulting, resting and feeding.[3] Rare plants local to the site are pyramidal orchid and carline thistle.

On the Dundrum Bay side of the nature reserve is Murlough Beach, a shingle beach and four-mile-long Blue Flag beach.[1]

Grid ref: J414351.[2]

History

[edit]

In 1857, the 4th Marquess of Downshire built Murlough House as a summer residence on the peninsula. They built a wooden bridge connecting to Keel Point, replaced in 1893 with the current granite one.[4]

The house and sand dunes were extensively used by the US Army during the Second World War.[5] In 1942 the US 1st Battalion, 13th Armored (1st Division) arrived followed by the 818th Tank Destroyer Battalion (XV Corps) in April 1944.[6]

Moths and butterflies

[edit]

Several rare moths and butterflies can be found within the reserve. 23 butterfly species have been recorded at Murlough NNR, the marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), is of European importance - other notable species include dark-green fritillary (Argynnis aglaja), grayling (Hipparchia semele) and cryptic wood white (Leptidea juvernica). One species, the wall brown butterfly (Lasiommata megera) has not been recorded for several years. 787 species of moth have been recorded at Murlough Nature Reserve - examples include small elephant hawkmoth (Deilephila porcellus), sand dart (Agrotis ripae) and the micro moths Pyrausta cingulata and Hysterophora maculosana. A total of 810 Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) have been recorded within the nature reserve boundary.

Notable migrant species noted in the area have included: cosmopolitan (Leucania loreyi), white-speck, the delicate. In 2012 a Stephens' gem (Megalographa biloba) was recorded at Murlough NNR - this was the 1st record for Ireland of this North American species.

[edit]
  • Landscape, February 2010
    Landscape, February 2010
  • Gorse-covered dunes, May 2021
    Gorse-covered dunes, May 2021
  • Gorse burning, February 2010
    Gorse burning, February 2010
  • Exmoor ponies at Murlough, used for grazing management
    Exmoor ponies at Murlough, used for grazing management

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Murlough National Nature Reserve". Discover Northern Ireland. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Murlough National Nature Reserve". The Mourne Mountains. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  3. ^ "Murlough National Nature Reserve". National Trust. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  4. ^ Trotter, Robert (2021). "The Marquess of Downshire and the Dundrum Estate". Lecale Review. 19.
  5. ^ "Murlough, Dundrum and Clough". GI Trail NI - discover the path the GI's took in Northern Ireland. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  6. ^ "United States Army Forces in Northern Ireland Stations of Units". Retrieved 28 June 2022.
[edit]
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