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Recommended starting point: top of Mill Road (marked S1
on map).
Panoramic View of the Afforested steep River Lickey
Glen. From this point, looking southwards and west ward
the inter twining groves of multi varietals forest trees
merging with the sessile oak native trees is a stunning
feature as the sun illuminates a kaleidoscope of canopy
colour. This is a bird watchers paradise and this
vantage point will wet the appetite for more intensive
exploration as the walk progresses.
Proceed westwards on the country lane which is flanked
by dirt fences with ash and hawthorn, the predominant
trees with briar and gorse undergrowth quite common.
Young Beech trees have been introduced in the hedge row
and look out for a copper beech in this area. A young
Sitka spruce plantation lies to the north of the road.
Gateways reveal pasture land and afford glimpses of the
River Glen. Occasional Holly, Willow and Alder and
Blackthorn adorn the flora in the hedge grow.
Before turning left down to the Fish Farm Bridge there
is an interesting cluster of minute out offices detached
from the main house.
From the bridge – water cress and water starwort and bog
pondweed can be seen in the river. There is a large
mountain cypress by the bridge, a grove of sycamore to
the south with birch on the south western flank. As you
proceed east the hedge row in late spring is alive with
blue bias and white stitchwort. Again over the first
hill glimpses of the River Valley can be seen on the
second rise. The glen divides at a high rocky outcrop
and the lane takes the alternate glen to the river and
upland pasture where different species of birds can be
observed. A lodgepole pine grove at the top of the hill
where you come across flooded quarries where many
exciting water flora species can be found. Decidious
plantations of now native species of alder and sycamore
can be seen in this area.
The dirt fences give way to dry stone walls made from
field stones.
An interesting cut stone ruin comes into view and was
possibly a dowadger house detached from the main big
house next door as the gable is still visible to the
north of this ruin.
Next turn north down Mill Road into a botanical and wild
life paradise. The shelter afforded on this steep
incline allowed the survival of our native forest of
Hazel and Sesile Oak. Look out for crabs, Rowan, Birch
and an abundance of woodbine and wild rose – male fern
and meadow sweet abound in this area.
The upper area of the glen is afforested and as you
approach the Mill Bridge ther is a marvellous stand of
Noble Fir on your left and an occasional undergrowth of
Link Heath and Bilberry. As you approach the Bridge a
stately stand of mature Norway Spruce dominates the
area. Left of the Bridge is the enrance to what was one
of the Biggest Mills in Ireland with four sets of mill
stones. A high Narrow section of super structure is all
that remains today. Fallow deer are abundant in this
area and many species of hawk have been reported in the
area. Crossing the bridge and rising to the starting
point the south facing slope allows species such as
Beech to thrive. A feature of this area is the dry stone
walls. The vertical key stone principal can be seen on
these walks which were built up to 200 years ago.
The undergrowth to the Sitka spruce plantation as you
get to the top is similar to the south side.
Having reached the tarred road, your starting point you
can take in with a glance from this vantage point, the
area you have traversed.
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