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Special Areas of Conservation

Cladagh (Swanlinbar) River

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Northern Ireland
Unitary Authority Northern Ireland
Centroid* H241301
Latitude 54.2192
Longitude -7.6306
SAC EU Code UK0030116
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 28.36
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Cladagh (Swanlinbar) River SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (72%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (2%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (10%)
  • Improved grassland (1%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (10%)
  • Non-forest areas cultivated with woody plants (including Orchards, groves, Vineyards, Dehesas) (5%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 1029 Freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera

    The Cladagh (Swanlinbar) River rises on Cuilcagh Mountain and flows through County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland before crossing the border into County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, and eventually entering Upper Lough Erne. It is a moderately large river, being ultra-oligotrophic in its upland reaches within the Republic of Ireland, before gradually becoming oligotrophic and oligo-mesotrophic through its middle and lower reaches within Northern Ireland. The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera population, which is estimated to have a minimum number of 10,000 individuals, is confined to 6 km of undisturbed river channel in the middle section of the river. It is one of the largest known populations surviving in Northern Ireland.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.