Location
Boorin National Nature Reserve is located approximately 0.75 of a kilometre South East of Gortin village, in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Access to this glorious site is via the B84 to the Omagh road.
Sights and sounds
The heaths and heathers you see today are only a thin cover, clothing the debris of glaciers long ago. Around 10,000 years ago, the ice sheets that were left behind included large amounts of sands and gravels which covered much of Northern Ireland. At Boorin, these glacial deposits are shaped in the form of a small pointed hill. Over time, the areas in between have become filled with either peat bog or small Loughs known as kettle-hole lakes.
During summer time, visitors will be able to hear the birdsong of skylarks and a number of families looking to explore the surrounding countryside. They might also even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a covey of red grouse as it erupts from the heather.
At the north end of the reserve, on a steep slope overlooking Gortin is an area of oak-birch woodland. The moist air combined with the climate in the woods has helped to form a variety of mosses on the tree trunks.
Visitors are asked not to bring dogs on to the site as there is grazing cattle nearby.
At present, Boorin National Nature Reserve has one interpretation panel, adjacent to the car park southwest of the site.
Facilities
Car parking close to Gortin Lakes just off the B48.
Further information
Site Manager: 02866344803