Official tourism website for Northern Ireland
En

Marlbank (Killykeeghan)

Co Fermanagh
Marlbank (Killykeeghan)

Book Tickets Online

About

A short walk through the limestone countryside of Co. Fermanagh. The 600m circular walking path and a small exhibition are steeped in local history of the site.

Start Point:
H109341

Finish Point:
H109341

Route:
The Marlbank Reserve is sandwiched between Cuilcagh Mountain and the Erne Lowlands and is amid the most extensive area of limestone grassland in Northern Ireland. The walk begins in the NIEA car park. The route can be taken either clockwise or anticlockwise. Follow the arrows and waymarkers around this short trail. At one time the entire area was wooded with hazel, elm and ash. With the clearances for farming since the Stone Age, only a few patches of hazel scrub now remain. The scrub shelters delicate woodland flowers including wood sorrel and primroses. The cuckoo is frequently heard in May. Meadow pipits perch on branches but are most commonly seen rising and falling in jerky flight over the grassland. The thin soils covering the grey limestone support a rich variety of herbs and grasses. The grasses are grazed by sheep and this allows herbs like the colourful pink thyme, blue harebell and yellow bird's-foot trefoil, to flower and set seed. These herbs in turn provide food for insects such as the common blue and peacock butterflies. In a patch of heath, bog cotton and yellow bog asphodel grow amongst ling heather. The Irish hare leaves conspicuous trails through the heath by nibbling off the heather shoots. Stoats can be observed darting along dry stone walls.

Distance:
0.5 miles

Terrain:
Off road grassy paths

Point of interest:
Limestone landscapes, hazel glades

Facilities:
Car park and toilets are open 11.00am-6.00 pm between Easter and September (closed September-Easter). McGrath's cottage holds a small interpretive display on local history (open daily July + August and weekends in May, June + Sept).

Publication:
None

Nearest town:
Belcoo

OS map:
Sheet 26

Accessible terrain:
Grassy off road paths, uneven in places

Book Tickets

Facilities

Provider Preferences

  • Free (parking charges may apply)

Map & Directions

What's Nearby

  1. Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the rugged mountainous uplands and…

    0.05 miles away
  2. The Cladagh Glen, located in the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, is a stunning walk providing…

    0.72 miles away
  3. Marble Arch Caves- Magical, Unique and Memorable. The Marble Arch Caves is a major…

    0.78 miles away
  4. Florence Court is a truly welcoming home. The house, formerly the home of the Cole…

    4.09 miles away
  5. A visit to The Inniskillings Museum at Enniskillen Castle is a journey through more than…

    9.78 miles away
  6. Portora Castle guards a former crossing point where the river joins Lough Erne. Built in…

    9.81 miles away
  7. Situated beside the River Erne in County Fermanagh, was built almost 600 years ago by…

    9.82 miles away
  8. A trip to Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum is like taking a remarkable journey…

    9.9 miles away
  9. The Marjorie Leonard Art Gallery is located in the Buttermarket, a beautifully restored…

    9.99 miles away
  10. Visit Frances Morris in her studio/gallery to view the latest exhibition of her Irish…

    9.99 miles away
  11. Built for Malcolm Hamilton and completed in 1618, it has a Scottish look about it, with…

    10.04 miles away
  12. Forthill Park is a pleasantly wooded town park with walks, shrub gardens and children's…

    10.14 miles away
  13. Famous for its perfect 12th-century round tower and ruined Augustinian abbey, Devenish…

    10.57 miles away
  14. Castle Coole one of Ireland's finest Neo-classical houses, allowing visitors to glimpse…

    10.8 miles away
  15. Fermanagh Fun Farm is the place where families love to come to make lasting memories. We…

    12.43 miles away
  16. Seven-mile drive through the forest to a magnificent panorama over Lough Erne.…

    13.89 miles away

Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Follow signs for Marlbank Scenic loop and Marble Arch Caves/Cuilcagh Geopark. The carpark is situated ca 1 mile from the Marble Arch Show Caves entrance.

Public Transport Directions

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss