Buckthorn Wood, Lisnaskea, Fermanagh

Buckthorn Wood takes its name from the Alder Buckthorn, a nationally rare native shrub which is relatively widespread around the shores of Upper Lough Erne. It typically forms part of alluvial woodland growing on the former bed of the lough which was exposed during lowering schemes of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a small leaved shrub which produces black berries in the autumn.

The wood occupies the western end of Deal Island, formerly part of the historic Belle Isle Estate which has belonged to the Duke of Abercorn since 1991. Belle Isle has been developed into a major tourist attraction in the region, with a renowned cookery school, fishing, accommodation and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. To access Deal Island boat hire can be arranged with the estate through.

Deal Island is a drumlin, formed from material left behind by fast flowing glaciers between when Fermanagh was last under ice between 23000 and 13000 years ago. Upper Lough Erne is a flooded drumlin landscape, and many such drumlins are covered with natural woodland much like Deal Island.

Buckthorn Wood contains a diversity of habitats. As well as the alluvial woodland on the shores which give easy access to the water, there is oak-dominated semi natural ancient woodland on the drier ground on top of the drumlin. The woodland here has been somewhat modified by man in the past, evidenced by a few large Scots pines and beech trees, which make an attractive complement to the native species which include oak, wild cherry, elm, holly, hazel, and birch. However in its recent past it has had very little intervention, and as a result there is a lot of dead and decaying wood, fallen trees lying where they fell and new trees growing up to the light to replace them. This give the woodland a very natural feel. There are also extensive reed beds just offshore and it is common to see swans, geese, grebes and other water birds feeding here.

There is a large and active badger sett, and evidence of deer browsing. The red deer swim between the islands in the lough, but whilst the browsing intensity in Buckthorn Wood is not enough to stop the process of natural regeneration from taking place, it helps keep any dense undergrowth from developing which makes the wood a light and airy place. You are never far from the sound of water lapping, and the breeze off the lough helps keep midges away in the warmer weather.

Buckthorn Wood gives you the chance to be your very own Bear Grylls, or simply enjoy the peace, tranquility and sheer exclusivity of owning part of an island. There is plenty of scope for keen campers, nature lovers, wild swimmers, ecologists and woodland enthusiasts of all types to use the wood as they choose. A good size shed has been built at the far end of the island as a way of showing the sort of structure that could be built here as a temporary shelter and store.