Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough facts for kids

Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough is a special natural area in County Laois, Ireland. It is a national nature reserve, which means it is a protected place for wildlife. This reserve covers about 120 acres and is looked after by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service. It's a great spot to explore nature and see different plants and animals.

Exploring Grantstown Wood and Lough

Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough, sometimes called Granston, became a legally protected national nature reserve in 1982. This means the Irish government decided to keep this area safe for its unique plants and animals. It is also very close to another nature reserve called Coolacurragh Wood. Long ago, this area was part of the large estate of Grantstown Manor.

The Woodland: A Wet Forest Home

Grantstown Wood is known as a wet woodland. This means the soil is often damp, which helps certain types of trees and plants grow very well. The main trees you will see here are ash, alder, and birch.

Underneath these tall trees, you can find many other plants. These include hawthorn, which has pretty white flowers in spring, and meadowsweet, with its sweet-smelling white blooms. You might also spot nettles and brambles, which provide food and shelter for small creatures.

The Lough: A Changing Lake

Grantstown Lough is a lake that has been slowly changing over time. It is gradually filling in with plants, forming what is called a fen, which is a type of wetland. This fen then turns into alder carr, which is a swampy woodland where alder trees grow.

The lake itself is a very important part of the reserve. It provides a home and food for many different animals.

Wildlife in the Reserve

Grantstown Wood and Lough is a busy place for wildlife. The lake is especially important for animals that hunt for fish.

• Otters are playful mammals that love to swim and catch fish in the lough.
• Kingfishers are small, brightly colored birds that dive into the water to catch tiny fish.
• Cormorants are large, dark birds that are excellent at diving and swimming underwater to find fish.

The lake is home to several types of fish, including perch, pike, eel, rudd, and tench. These fish are a vital food source for the otters, kingfishers, and cormorants that live here.

Walking Trails

If you visit Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery by taking one of the two looped walking trails. There is a Lake Walk that takes you close to the water, and a Wood Walk that leads you through the peaceful forest. These trails are a great way to explore the reserve and discover its natural wonders.