Aghatirourke

We are working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities such as toilets are not yet available. All our other reserves remain closed for now. Please see our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: RSPB Aghatirourke, Enniskillen BT92, UK

Grid ref: SA257955

See our updates page to see which reserves are open.

Aghatirourke is part of the Cuilcagh Mountain World Geopark in County Fermanagh. It's an area of extensive upland blanket bog, bordered by limestone grassland to the north and montane heath to the south. In spring, wheatears and sand martins abound, while hen harriers and peregrines hunt overhead in summer.

Plan your visit

From dawn until dusk.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free

Children: Free

Car park cost: Free

Facilities

Car park
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By bus

There's a bus route from Enniskillen bus station to Swanlinbar. Request to stop at tourist sign for Gortalughany (approximately three miles from reserve gate).

By bike

The North West Trail. The Sustrans Kingfisher Way part of the National cycle network passes along the minor roads to the north and east of the reserve.

By road

Take the A4 Sligo Road west of Enniskillen then A32 south, ignore signs for Florencecourt and Marble Arch Caves, look for right turn signposted as 'Gortalughany viewpoint'. Follow this narrowing road to the car park.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Hiker’s trail from National Trust Florencecourt Estate and Marble Arch Caves.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

14 degrees, Partly cloudy (day)

Contact Aghatirourke

RSPB Aghatirourke, Enniskillen BT92, UK
lower.lougherne@rspb.org.uk
028 6632 3991

What will you see?

Our star species

Dipper

Look along the rocky stream for dippers.

Hen harrier

Hen harriers breed on the moorland here.

Common raven

See ravens' plummeting display flights from late winter, through the spring.

Red grouse

The red grouse here belong to the Irish 'hibernicus' race.

Skylark

Skylarks nest on the moorland at Aghatirourke.

See displaying skylarks and meadow pipits throughout the reserve. The collapsed cave opposite the Leggacurragh (limestone gorge) is a good place to spot cuckoos. You may also flush snipe along the nature trail or red grouse near heather. Sand martins nest in the old cut-over peat banks on the way into the reserve.

Watch for ravens and peregrines which nest nearby. Merlins, kestrels and hunting hen harriers can be seen, especially around Leggacurragh. Golden plovers breed on the flatter areas, but are now very scarce.

Although there can be very little to see during the autumn and winter periods, you could spot golden plovers, hen harriers, snipe and red grouse.

Very little to be seen during the autumn and winter periods. Possibly golden plovers, hen harriers, snipe and red grouse.

About Aghatirourke

Habitat

The reserve covers 700ha of extensive upland blanket bog habitat bordered by limestone grassland to the north and montane heath on the summit to the south.

Conservation

We're grateful for the support of our funders and supporters who are helping us make Aghatirourke a better place for wildlife. These supporters are:

Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Department of the environment (NI)
Fermanagh District Council

Site information

Aghatirourke is part of the Cuilcagh Mountain World Geopark in County Fermanagh.

The route can be very wet and is moderate to difficult walking. Visitors are reminded that this is an exposed mountain environment subject to rapidly changing weather and adverse conditions. Keep to the waymarked trail due to the presence of limestone swallow holes and access to the summit should only be undertaken by experienced hill walkers.

Activities and events

Leisure activities

Walk to the summit on a good day, though you need experience and good equipment. Do not stray from the waymarked trail!

Marshside

Lytchett Fields

Arne

Aghatirourke