Randoon

Randoon

Randoon, Overgrown Ringfort, Ranaghan, County Westmeath in Morning Sky.
Elevation 125 m (410 ft)
Location
Location County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland

Randoon is a Turgesius Viking fortress located southwest of Lough Lene. The fortress is situated upon a hill in Ranaghan, dominating by its height all other ringforts in the area, and overlooking Lough Lene between the town of Castlepollard and Collinstown. The locally used term fort refers to any of the multitude of ringforts, many of which have been overgrown by vegetation. These remain today as historical relics Early Medieval Period of Ireland and Western Europe; they protected by Irish national heritage law.

Habitat

The area where Randoon is located supports deciduous woodland which mostly consists of native species. Hazel (Corylus avellana), Rowan, (Sorbus aucuparia), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) are abundant. Exotic species occur occasionally, including Beech (Fagus sylvatica).


Wild foul Winter 96/96
(individuals)
Little Grebe 2007 not available i
Great Crested Grebe 2007 not available i
Cormorant 2007 not available i
Mute Swan 2007 not available i
Whopper Swan 2007 not available i
Greenland
White-fronted goose		 2007 not available i
Wigeon 2007 not available i
Teal 2007 not available i
Mallard 2007 not available i
Pintail 2007 not availablei
Shoveler 2007 not available i
Pochard 2007 not available i
Tufted Duck 2007 not available i
Goldeneye 2007 not available i
Coot 2007 not available i
Golden Plover 2007 not available i
Lapwing 2007 not available i

The neighbouring Loughpark, Windtown woods are inhabited by wild pheasant and are a popular attraction for the local pheasant hunters. Remark, On occasions the Pochard population, which is one of the largest in Ireland, has exceeded the threshold for international importance. (i.e. 3500 individual foul).
The above information is obtained from the Irish Departiment of Environment, Heritage, and local Government. 13th Sept. 2007 To the west and north of the neighbouring woods are inhabited by wild pheasant and is a popular attraction for the local pheasant hunters.

See also

Coordinates: 53°39′25″N 7°15′07″W / 53.657°N 7.252°W