List of Areas of Special Scientific Interest in Northern Ireland explained

This is a list of the Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. In Northern Ireland the body responsible for designating ASSIs is the Northern Ireland Environment Agency - a division of the Department of Environment (DoE).

Unlike the SSSIs, ASSIs include both natural environments and man-made structures. As with SSSIs, these sites are designated if they have criteria based on fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. On top of this, structures are also covered, such as the Whitespots mines in Conlig, according to several criterion including rarity, recorded history and intrinsic appeal.[1]

For other sites in the rest of the United Kingdom, see List of SSSIs by Area of Search.

Site name Reason for DesignationAreaCouncilYear confirmedMap
Biological InterestGeological InterestHistorical or Cultural InterestHectaresAcres
Aghabrack ASSI304Strabane2009
Aghanloo Wood ASSI228  36.8491.04Limavady2004
Aghnadarragh  1.423.51Antrim2004
Altikeeragh NNR048  n/an/aColeraine2002
Altikeeragh ASSI171  73.04180.48Coleraine1999
Altmover Glen  12.531Limavady1994
Annachullion Lough  3.689.1Fermanagh1997
Annacramph Meadows  1.012.5Armagh1992
Antrim Hills  10,964.1927,093.12Ballymena
Larne; Moyle
2006
Aughnadarragh Lough ASSI149  5.1812.8Ards
Down
1999
Aughnadarragh Lough SAC045  5.1812.8Ards
Down
2005
Ballybannan  0.591.47Down1997
Ballycam  1.213Down1997
Ballycarry  17.443Moyle1992
Ballycastle Coalfield  27.6868.4Moyle1998
Ballygill North  31.5778Moyle1992
Ballykilbeg ASSI153  15.2137.59Down1998
Ballykilbeg SAC044  15.2137.59Down2005
Ballyknock  3.077.58Magherafelt1999
Ballymacaldrack1.012.5Ballymoney2007
Ballymacallion9.1222.54Limavady2007
Ballymaclary n/an/aColeraine1976
Ballymacombs More11.1227.48Magherafelt2005
Ballymacormick Point  15.7839North Down1988
Ballynagross Lower  3.17.67Down1997
Ballynahone Bog SAC001  98.44243.24Magherafelt2005
Ballynahone Bog RSAR009  98.44243.24Magherafelt1998
Ballynahone Bog NNR047  n/an/aMagherafelt2000
Ballynahone Bog ASSI010 98.74244Magherafelt1995
Ballynanaghten  0.481.19Lisburn2001
Ballypalady 1.624.01Antrim2005
Ballyquintin Point NNR040 n/an/aArds1987
Ballyquintin Point ASSI087 29.9974.1Ards1995
Ballyrisk More5.2512.97Limavady2007
Ballysudden  39.5897.8Cookstown1997
Banagher  2.075.11Fermanagh2005
Banagher Glen ASSI064  38.0494Limavady1994
Banagher Glen SAC023 35.5287.77Limavady2005
Banagher Glen NR015  n/an/aLimavady1974
Bann Estuary SAC041140.81347.94Coleraine2005
Bann Estuary ASSI208 140.81347.94Coleraine2001
Bardahessiagh  3.889.6Cookstown1996
Beagh Big  0.531.3Fermanagh1988
Belfast Lough RSAR006 174.88432.14Belfast
Carrickfergus; Newtownabbey; North Down
1998
Belfast Lough SPA010 174.88432.14Belfast
Carrickfergus; Newtownabbey; North Down
1998
Belfast Lough Open Water n/an/an/a2006
Bellanaleck  0.380.93Fermanagh1996
Belshaws Quarry  n/an/aLisburn1972
Benburb  1.213Dungannon & South Tyrone1995
Binevenagh NNR041 n/an/aLimavady1987
Binevenagh SAC039 36.7490.79Limavady2005
Binevenagh ASSI212 36.7490.79Limavady2001
Black Bog RSAR015  74.23183.42Omagh1999
Black Bog SAC002  74.23183.42Omagh2005
Black Bog ASSI007  78.51194Omagh1987
Black Burn 8.2220.3Larne1997
Black Lough ASSI239  2.626.47Dungannon & South Tyrone2004
Black Lough ASSI154  18.0344.55Down1998
Bohill Forestn/an/aDown1970
Boho 5.7714.25Fermanagh1999
Bonds Glen  20.4650.56Derry City2004
Boorin n/an/aStrabane1975
Bovevagh  2.315.7Limavady1995
Braade  1.172.9Fermanagh1996
Brackagh Moss  n/an/aCraigavon1976
Breen Forest n/an/an/a1970
Breen Wood SAC024  14.5736.01n/a2005
Breen Wood ASSI161  14.5736Moyle1997
Burdautien Lough 2.636.5Fermanagh1995
Caldanagh Bog  14.3735.5Ballymoney1997
Cam Lough  33.0581.66Newry & Mourne2004
Carlingford Lough SPA009 334.72827.12Newry & Mourne1998
Carlingford Lough RSAR005 n/an/aNewry & Mournen/a
Carn/Glenshane Pass ASSI167  784.61,938.78Coleraine
Limavady; Magherafelt
2000
Carn/Glenshane Pass SAC033 784.61,938.78Coleraine
Limavady; Magherafelt
2005
Carrickarede ASSI1139.222.73Coleraine1997
Carrickastickan  1.513.74Newry & Mourne2002
Carrickbrawn  4.8612Fermanagh1987
Carrowcarlin  3.177.84Down1998
Cashel Loughs  13.8434.21Newry & Mourne1998
Copeland Islands  81.55201.52Ards2004
Devenish Island  2664.24Fermanagh2007
Giant's Causeway and Dunseverick  91.59226.33Moyle2000
Whitespots  2.045.05Ards1999

Notes

Rounded to two decimal places.

As yet unconfirmed. Year displayed is year of declaration.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/biodiversity/designated-areas/area_interest/science_survey.htm Environment and Heritage Service