Killydonnelly ASSI

The area is of special scientific interest because of its species-rich calcareous grassland.  Species-rich grassland tends to occur only where land management is not intensive, in particular where traditional farming practices have been maintained. 

As a result, it is not a widespread habitat in Northern Ireland and is often fragmented, consisting of individual fields, parts of fields or banks.  Species-rich dry grasslands like those found at Killydonnelly, have declined significantly across Northern Ireland and are now a particularly scarce resource.