List of Areas of Special Scientific Interest in Northern Ireland

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 Designation Area[A] Council Year confirmed Map
Biological Interest Geological Interest Historical or Cultural Interest Hectares Acres
Aghabrack ASSI304 Strabane 2009
Aghanloo Wood ASSI228 Y     36.84 91.04 Limavady 2004
Aghnadarragh   Y   1.42 3.51 Antrim 2004
Altikeeragh NNR048 Y     n/a n/a Coleraine 2002[B]
Altikeeragh ASSI171 Y     73.04 180.48 Coleraine 1999
Altmover Glen Y     12.5 31 Limavady 1994
Annachullion Lough Y     3.68 9.1 Fermanagh 1997
Annacramph Meadows Y     1.01 2.5 Armagh 1992
Antrim Hills Y     10,964.19 27,093.12 Ballymena; Larne; Moyle 2006[B]
Aughnadarragh Lough ASSI149 Y     5.18 12.8 Ards; Down 1999
Aughnadarragh Lough SAC045 Y     5.18 12.8 Ards; Down 2005
Ballybannan Y     0.59 1.47 Down 1997
Ballycam Y     1.21 3 Down 1997
Ballycarry Y     17.4 43 Moyle 1992
Ballycastle Coalfield   Y   27.68 68.4 Moyle 1998
Ballygill North Y     31.57 78 Moyle 1992
Ballykilbeg ASSI153 Y     15.21 37.59 Down 1998
Ballykilbeg SAC044 Y     15.21 37.59 Down 2005
Ballyknock Y     3.07 7.58 Magherafelt 1999
Ballymacaldrack 1.01 2.5 Ballymoney 2007
Ballymacallion 9.12 22.54 Limavady 2007
Ballymaclary Y Y   n/a n/a Coleraine 1976[B]
Ballymacombs More Y Y Y 11.12 27.48 Magherafelt 2005
Ballymacormick Point Y     15.78 39 North Down 1988
Ballynagross Lower Y     3.1 7.67 Down 1997
Ballynahone Bog SAC001 Y     98.44 243.24 Magherafelt 2005
Ballynahone Bog RSAR009 Y     98.44 243.24 Magherafelt 1998
Ballynahone Bog NNR047 Y     n/a n/a Magherafelt 2000
Ballynahone Bog ASSI010 Y Y   98.74 244 Magherafelt 1995
Ballynanaghten Y     0.48 1.19 Lisburn 2001
Ballypalady Y Y   1.62 4.01 Antrim 2005
Ballyquintin Point NNR040 Y Y   n/a n/a Ards 1987[B]
Ballyquintin Point ASSI087 Y Y   29.99 74.1 Ards 1995
Ballyrisk More 5.25 12.97 Limavady 2007
Ballysudden   Y   39.58 97.8 Cookstown 1997
Banagher Y     2.07 5.11 Fermanagh 2005
Banagher Glen ASSI064 Y     38.04 94 Limavady 1994
Banagher Glen SAC023 Y Y   35.52 87.77 Limavady 2005
Banagher Glen NR015 Y     n/a n/a Limavady 1974[B]
Bann Estuary SAC041 140.81 347.94 Coleraine 2005
Bann Estuary ASSI208 Y Y   140.81 347.94 Coleraine 2001
Bardahessiagh   Y   3.88 9.6 Cookstown 1996
Beagh Big Y     0.53 1.3 Fermanagh 1988
Belfast Lough RSAR006 Y Y   174.88 432.14 Belfast; Carrickfergus; Newtownabbey; North Down 1998
Belfast Lough SPA010 Y Y   174.88 432.14 Belfast; Carrickfergus; Newtownabbey; North Down 1998
Belfast Lough Open Water Y Y   n/a n/a n/a 2006
Bellanaleck   Y   0.38 0.93 Fermanagh 1996
Belshaws Quarry   Y   n/a n/a Lisburn 1972[B]
Benburb   Y   1.21 3 Dungannon & South Tyrone 1995
Binevenagh NNR041 Y Y   n/a n/a Limavady 1987[B]
Binevenagh SAC039   36.74 90.79 Limavady 2005
Binevenagh ASSI212 Y Y   36.74 90.79 Limavady 2001
Black Bog RSAR015 Y     74.23 183.42 Omagh 1999
Black Bog SAC002 Y     74.23 183.42 Omagh 2005
Black Bog ASSI007 Y     78.51 194 Omagh 1987
Black Burn Y Y   8.22 20.3 Larne 1997
Black Lough ASSI239 Y     2.62 6.47 Dungannon & South Tyrone 2004
Black Lough ASSI154 Y     18.03 44.55 Down 1998
Bohill Forest n/a n/a Down 1970[B]
Boho Y Y   5.77 14.25 Fermanagh 1999
Bonds Glen Y     20.46 50.56 Derry City 2004
Boorin Y Y   n/a n/a Strabane 1975[B]
Bovevagh   Y   2.31 5.7 Limavady 1995
Braade Y     1.17 2.9 Fermanagh 1996
Brackagh Moss Y     n/a n/a Craigavon 1976[B]
Breen Forest Y   n/a n/a n/a 1970[B]
Breen Wood SAC024 Y     14.57 36.01 n/a 2005
Breen Wood ASSI161 Y     14.57 36 Moyle 1997
Burdautien Lough Y Y   2.63 6.5 Fermanagh 1995
Caldanagh Bog Y     14.37 35.5 Ballymoney 1997
Cam Lough Y     33.05 81.66 Newry & Mourne 2004
Carlingford Lough SPA009 Y Y   334.72 827.12 Newry & Mourne 1998
Carlingford Lough RSAR005   n/a n/a Newry & Mourne n/a
Carn/Glenshane Pass ASSI167 Y     784.6 1,938.78 Coleraine; Limavady; Magherafelt 2000
Carn/Glenshane Pass SAC033 Y   784.6 1,938.78 Coleraine; Limavady; Magherafelt 2005
Carrickarede ASSI113 Y Y 9.2 22.73 Coleraine 1997
Carrickastickan Y     1.51 3.74 Newry & Mourne 2002
Carrickbrawn Y     4.86 12 Fermanagh 1987
Carrowcarlin Y     3.17 7.84 Down 1998
Cashel Loughs Y     13.84 34.21 Newry & Mourne 1998
Copeland Islands Y     81.55 201.52 Ards 2004
Devenish Island     Y 26 64.24 Fermanagh 2007
Giant's Causeway and Dunseverick   Y   91.59 226.33 Moyle 2000
Whitespots   Y   2.04 5.05 Ards 1999

Notes

A Rounded to two decimal places.
B As yet unconfirmed. Year displayed is year of declaration.

References

  1. ^ Environment and Heritage Service
Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the United Kingdom, grouped by Area of Search
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales