Randoon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Randoon (Randún) |
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Randoon (Randún) overgrown ringfort, Ranaghan, County Westmeath in morning sky
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 125 m (410 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland |
Randoon (also called Randún) is an old Viking fortress in Ireland. It is found southwest of Lough Lene. This fortress sits on a hill in Ranaghan. From its high spot, it looks over Lough Lene. This lake is between the towns of Castlepollard and Collinstown.
People in the area call many old forts "ringforts". These are round, walled areas. Many of them are now covered by plants. Randoon is one of these important places. These sites are like historical treasures from the Early Medieval Period. They are protected by Irish national heritage laws.
Plants and Animals of Randoon
The area around Randoon has many trees. Most of these are native deciduous trees. This means they lose their leaves in autumn. You can find hazel (Corylus avellana) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia). There are also ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea). Sometimes, you might see other trees like beech (Fagus sylvatica).
Wildlife in the Woods
The nearby Loughpark, Windtown woods are home to wild pheasants. These birds are popular with local hunters.
Lough Lene is also important for birds. It has one of the largest groups of pochard ducks in Ireland. Sometimes, there are more than 3,500 of these ducks. This number is so high that it makes the area important worldwide for these birds.
