Lough Neagh is one of the last, true, unspoilt wetland wildernesses in Ireland. It is
designated as a Ramsar Site, Special Protected Area and area of Special Scientific
Interest. It offers the visitor a rich variety of wildlife, fauna, and untouched
landscape.
water means that there is always something special to see.
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre&
Information panels throughout the Reserve maximise the
Oxford Island Nature Reserve
visitor’s enjoyment of this valuable site.
The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is situated within the
Contact Tel: 028 3832 2205 or visit
breathtaking Oxford Island National Nature Reserve just off
the M1 motorway and is the starting point for any visit to
www.oxfordisland.com
Oxford Island or Lough Neagh. With its superb setting on
the shores of Lough Neagh, disabled access and
Portmore Lough Nature Reserve
environmental events, the Centre is an excellent
destination for day trips, family days out, wildlife
Portmore Lough, is a major birdwatching site and nature
enthusiasts and group visits. The centres facilities include a
reserve. It is a small lough situated on the south east
wonderful gift shop and tourist information point, as well
corner of Lough Neagh in County Antrim, about 20 miles
as conference rooms and facilities for educational visits.
from Belfast and 12 miles from Lisburn, close to the village
Make sure you don’t miss the excellent food and
of Aghalee. The reserve consists of the Lough, the
outstanding views from the Loughside Café.
surrounding reedbeds, scrub and extensive meadows.
In winter, large numbers of graylag geese, whooper swans
Oxford Island, the National Nature Reserve offers excellent
and wildfowl as well as smaller numbers of ducks and
opportunities for people to get close to nature. It is a
wading birds feed on the meadows. During the summer
peninsula today but was an island prior to 1850’s before
dragonflies, butterflies and wild flowers are present.
the Lough was successively lowered to prevent Winter
Breeding birds such as snipe, skylarks, water rails and reed
flooding of surrounding farmland.
buntings can also be seen. There is a car park, toilets,
information boards, nature trails and a hide.
The reserve consists of 109 hectares with 8 km of walks
and nature trails accessible in all seasons, five birdwatching
Contact RSPB Warden Tel: 077367 92516
hides, picnic areas, and a paddling pool. The richness of
the wildflower meadows, woodlands, shoreline and open
or visit www.rspb.org.uk
www.discoverloughneagh.com 21
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