Plant species of Gleann Cholm Cille and Toraigh

During a cycle holiday we stayed a couple of days on two locations in Donegal, Ireland. They both were locations near the coast of the North Atlantic Ocean. I recorded all the plant species there. But first I recorded some plant species in the northwest of Wales. We had to stay there overnight to wait for the ferry to Ireland.

On this page you will find (click to jump):

• Used identification keys on the flora of the areas we visited
• A day-by-day report of our Botanical Journey
• A list of all recorded species

Useful identification keys

• M. Blamey, R. Fitter and A. Fitter: Wild flowers of Britain & Ireland (London 2003).
• R.E. Randall: 'An Annotated Flora of Tory Island, Co Donegal (v.c. H35)', The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 27, No. 10 (2004), pp. 373-381.

Report of this BotanicalJourney

First stop: Holyhead - Blackthorn (Wales) (Google Map)

Waiting for the ferry from Holyhead (Wales) to Dublin, I was forced to spend one night on a campsite south of Holyhead. The surroundings were called "Blackthorn" (as was the name of the campsite) and in the evening I made a short walk from the campsite to the cliffs and back (see map). During this short walk I recorded 75 plant species, which I have summarized below.

The walk started on a narrow road which finally lead to a parking area near the cliffs. The fields were rich in vegetation, such as two orchid species (Dactylorhiza incarnata and Dactylorhiza maculata) and many other plant species. On the walls Umbilicus rupestris was quite abundant. Near the cliffs there were more plant species that are used to salty habitats, like Silene uniflora, Spergula rupicola, Matricaria maritima and Cochlearia officinalis.

As you can see in the species  list below, I recorded no extremely rare or endangered species, but it was a nice walk nevertheless.

Second stop: Gleann Cholm Cille / Glencolumbkille (Ireland) (Google Map)

During my cycle holiday I had the privilege to stay -more or less by coincidence- a couple of nights in the Dooey Hostel in Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille, Glencolmcille - Co. Donegal). Now that is a place I would recommend everybody to go to. The hostel is truly miraculous and the views on the bay and its surroundings are downright spectacular. People are friendly, the pubs are superb and so is the hostel... From the hostel we made two walks.

On 8 July 2010 we followed the path towards the ancient tower on the top of the cliffs north of the village. The walk started along the sandy beach of Glean Cholm Cille and then went up the hill by a steep ascent. A boggy landscape became visible, with lots of sheep everywhere. We found species of heaths and bogs there, like Anagallis tenella (see picture), Cirsium palustre, Drosera rotundifolia, Erica cinerea, Hypericum elodes, Myrica gale and millions of Narthecium ossifragum. Soon the path ended at the tower and offered a splendid view over the Atlantic Ocean and the Glen Bay.

We continued our route towards Port, a deserted village that once had been a busy harbor where people left for America in order to run away from the Great Famine. Nowadays the place is totally empty, except for a few tourists and some local fishermen. Boggy areas are abundant and so are the species mentioned above.

The path took us back to the village of Gleann Cholm Cille, where the species were more typical for more or less human-influenced habitats, like Umbilicus rupestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Primula vulgaris, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Hypericum pulchrum, Claytonia perfoliata, Digitalis purpurea and Centranthus ruber. In a small stream we found Apium nodiflorum, Senecio aquaticus, Polygonum hydropiper and Mimulus guttatus.

On 9 July 2010 we stayed more in the direct area of the Glen Bay, looking for maritime plant species. We found several, like Armeria maritima (see picture above), Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, Silene uniflora, Honkenya peploides (see picture), Eryngium maritimum, Glaux maritima, Plantago maritima and Spergularia rupicola. On the rocks just above the salt spray Anthyllis vulneraria was very abundant. Also Cystopteris fragilis and Asplenium marinum could be found there.

Many orchids were present in the dunes a little further along. They were all Anacamptis pyramidalis (see picture) but there were also several Dactylorhiza species. Further away from the sea, well out of reach from the salt spray, the dunes were rich in (again) Anacamptis pyramidalis, Jasione montana, Odontites vernus and Centaurium erythraea. There were several deserted fields where once potatoes had been grown.

In total we recorded 202 different plant species in the direct surroundings of Gleann Cholm Cille. The full list of the recorded species you will find below.

Third stop: Toraigh / Tory island (Ireland) (Google Map)

We decided to visit Tory Island (Toraigh in Irish). The island is famous for its cultural heritage and for its rich flora & fauna. However, the last mainly refers to the fact that the island is a breeding site for the globally threatened Corn Crakes (Crex crex). It was not very difficult to find the Corn Crakes: just go to the west side of the island and you literally can hear them everywhere. It was a nice place to be, especially at the end of the day, when the sunset even made Armeria maritima somewhat special (see picture). We spent only one night on Tory, which is way to short to make a complete list of the wild flower species of the island. Nevertheless, I managed to identify 107 different plant species. When I came back home I got hold of a copy of the Annotated flora of Tory island, written by R.E. Randall. I checked my findings with those of Mr. Randall, who recorded 199 species on Tory. When comparing his list with mine the only specie that draws attention is Hypericum pulchrum, which I recorded but which is absent in the Annotated flora. I found it alongside a road in the surroundings of West town. I could have been overlooked during the survey for the Annotated flora because that survey was carried out in early June, so maybe the specie did not have flowers at that time.

A full list of the recorded plant species you will find below.

List of the recorded plant species

Plant species of Holyhead - Blackthorn (UK) (Google Map)

Recorded on 30 June 2010

Achillea millefolium  =  Yarrow
Achillea ptarmica  =  Sneezewort
Ajuga reptans  =  Bugle
Angelica sylvestris  =  Wild Angelica
Anthriscus sylvestris  =  Cow Parsley
Anthyllis vulneraria  =  Kidney Vetch
Armeria maritima  =  Thrift
Bellis perennis  =  Daisy
Calluna vulgaris  =  Heather
Calystegia silvatica  =  Large Bindweed
Capsella bursa-pastoris  =  Shepherd's-purse
Carex arenaria  =  Sand Sedge
Carpobrotus edulis  =  Hottentot-fig
Centaurea nigra  =  Common Knapweed
Centranthus ruber  =  Red Valerian
Cirsium arvense  =  Creeping Thistle
Cochlearia officinalis  =  Common Scurvygrass
Conopodium majus  =  Pignut
Crataegus monogyna  =  Hawthorn
Dactylorhiza incarnata  =  Early Marsh-orchid
Dactylorhiza maculata  =  Heath Spotted-orchid
Daucus carota  =  Wiuld Carrot
Digitalis purpurea  =  Foxglove
Epilobium angustifolium  =  Rosebay Willowherb
Erica cinerea  =  Bell Heather
Eriophorum angustifolium  =  Common Cottongrass
Euphrasia spec.  =  Eyebright
Filipendula ulmaria  =  Meadowsweet
Galium aparine  =  Cleavers
Galium verum  =  Lady's Bedstraw
Geranium robertianum  =  Herb-Robert
Hedera helix  =  Ivy
Heracleum sphondylium  =  Hogweed
Humulus lupulus  =  Hop
Hydrocotyle vulgaris  =  Marsh Pennywort
Iris pseudacorus  =  Yellow Iris
Jasione montana  =  Sheep's-bit
Juncus inflexus  =  Hard Rush
Leucanthemum vulgare  =  Oxeye Daisy
Lonicera periclymenum  =  Honeysuckle
Lotus uliginosus  =  Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil
Lychnis flos-cuculi  =  Ragged-Robin
Matricaria maritima  =  Sea Mayweed
Papaver somniferum  =  Opium poppy
Plantago lanceolata  =  Ribwort Plantain
Plantago major  =  Greater Plantain
Potentilla erecta  =  Tormentil
Potentilla reptans  =  Creeping Cinquefoil
Pteridium aquilinum  =  Bracken
Ranunculus acris  =  Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus repens  =  Creeping Buttercup
Rubus fruticosus agg  =  Bramble Raspberry
Rumex acetosa  =  Common Sorrel
Rumex acetosella  =  Sheep's Sorrel
Rumex obtusifolius  =  Broad-leaved Dock
Sambucus nigra  =  Elder
Sedum anglicum  =  English Stonecrop
Senecio jacobaea  =  Common Ragwort
Silene dioica  =  Red Campion
Silene uniflora  =  Sea Campion
Solanum dulcamara  =  Bittersweet
Sonchus oleraceus  =  Smooth Sow-thistle
Spergularia rupicola  =  Rock Sea-spurrey
Stellaria graminea  =  Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria media  =  Common Chickweed
Symphytum officinale  =  Common Comfrey
Tanacetum vulgare  =  Tansy
Thymus polytrichus  =  Wild Garden
Trifolium dubium  =  Lesser Trefoil
Trifolium pratense  =  Red Clover
Trifolium repens  =  White Clover
Umbilicus rupestris  =  Navelwort
Urtica dioica  =  Common Nettle
Urtica urens  =  Small Nettle
Viola lactea  =  Pale Dog-violet

Plant species of Gleann Cholm Cille / Glencolumbkille (Google Map)

Recorded on 8 and 9 July 2010

Acer negundo  =  Ashleaf Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus  =  Sycamore
Achillea millefolium  =  Yarrow
Achillea ptarmica  =  Sneezewort
Aegopodium podagraria  =  Ground elder
Alnus glutinosa  =  Alder
Anacamptis pyramidalis  =  Pyramidal Orchid
Anagallis tenella  =  Bog Pimpernel
Angelica sylvestris  =  Wild Angelica
Anthriscus sylvestris  =  Cow Parsley
Anthyllis vulneraria  =  Kidney Vetch (see picture)

Apium nodiflorum  =  Fool's-water-cress
Aquilegia vulgaris  =  Columbine
Arctium minus  =  Lesser Burdock
Arenaria serpyllifolia  =  Thyme-leaved Sandwort
Armeria maritima  =  Thrift
Asplenium marinum  =  Sea Spleenwort (see picture)

Asplenium ruta-muraria  =  Wall-rue
Asplenium scolopendrium  =  Hartstongue
Asplenium trichomanes  =  Maidenhair Spleenwort
Aster tripolium  =  Sea Aster
Athyrium filix-femina  =  Lady-fern
Atriplex prostrata  =  Spear-leaved Orache
Bellis perennis  =  Daisy
Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima  =  Sea beet
Betula pubescens  =  Downy Birch
Blechnum spicant  =  Hard-fern
Calluna vulgaris  =  Heather
Calystegia sepium  =  Hedge Bindweed
Campanula rotundifolia  =  Harebell
Capsella bursa-pastoris  =  Shepherd's-purse
Cardamine hirsuta  =  Hairy Bitter-cress
Cardamine pratensis  =  Cuckooflower
Carex pulicaris  =  Flea Sedge
Centaurea nigra  =  Common Knapweed
Centaurium erythraea  =  Common Centaury
Centranthus ruber  =  Red Valerian
Cerastium fontanum  =  Common Mouse-ear
Chenopodium album  =  Fat-hen
Cirsium arvense  =  Creeping Thistle
Cirsium dissectum  =  Meadow Thistle (see picture)

Cirsium palustre  =  Marsh Thistle
Cirsium vulgare  =  Spear Thistle
Cladium mariscus  =  Great Fen-sedge
Claytonia perfoliata  =  Spring Beauty
Conopodium majus  =  Pignut
Convolvulus arvensis  =  Field Bindweed
Crataegus monogyna  =  Hawthorn
Crepis capillaris  =  Smooth Hawk's-beard
Cystopteris fragilis  =  Brittle Bladder-fern
Cytisus scoparius  =  Broom
Dactylorhiza fuchsii  =  Common Spotted-orchid
Dactylorhiza incarnata  =  Early Marsh-orchid
Dactylorhiza maculata  =  Heath Spotted-orchid
Dactylorhiza majalis  =  Western Marsh-orchid
Daucus carota  =  Wiuld Carrot
Digitalis purpurea  =  Foxglove
Drosera rotundifolia  =  Round-leaved Sundew
Dryopteris dilatata  =  Broad Buckler-fern
Dryopteris filix-mas  =  Male-fern
Epilobium angustifolium  =  Rosebay Willowherb
Epilobium hirsutum  =  Great Willowherb
Epilobium palustre  =  Marsh Willowherb
Equisetum arvense  =  Field Horsetail
Erica cinerea  =  Bell Heather (see picture)

Erica tetralix  =  Cross-leaved Heath
Eriophorum angustifolium  =  Common Cottongrass
Erodium cicutarium  =  Common Stork's-bill
Erophila verna  =  Common Whitlowgrass
Eryngium maritimum  =  Sea-holly
Euphrasia nemorosa  =  Common eyebright
Fagus sylvatica  =  Beech
Filipendula ulmaria  =  Meadowsweet
Fragaria vesca  =  Wild Strawberry
Fuchsia magellanica  =  Fuchsia
Galium aparine  =  Cleavers
Galium palustre  =  Common Marsh-bedstraw
Galium saxatile  =  Heath Bedstraw
Galium verum  =  Lady's Bedstraw
Geranium robertianum  =  Herb-Robert
Geum urbanum  =  Wood Avens
Glaux maritima  =  Sea-milkwort (see picture)

Glechoma hederacea  =  Ground-ivy
Hedera helix  =  Ivy
Heracleum sphondylium  =  Hogweed
Hieracium pilosella  =  Mouse-ear-hawkweed
Honkenya peploides  =  Sea sandwort
Hyacinthoides non-scripta  =  Bluebell
Hydrocotyle vulgaris  =  Marsh Pennywort
Hypericum elodes  =  Marsh St John's-wort
Hypericum pulchrum  =  Slender St John's-wort
Hypochoeris radicata  =  Cat's-ear
Impatiens glandulifera  =  Himalayan Balsam
Iris pseudacorus  =  Yellow Iris
Jasione montana  =  Sheep's-bit
Juncus articulatus  =  Jointed Rush
Juncus bufonius  =  Toad Rush
Juncus bulbosus  =  Bulbous Rush
Juncus effusus  =  Soft-rush
Juncus maritimus  =  Sea Rush
Juncus squarrosus  =  Heath Rush
Lapsana communis  =  Nipplewort
Lathyrus pratensis  =  Meadow Vetchling
Leontodon autumnalis  =  Autumn Hawkbit
Leontodon taraxacoides  =  Lesser hawkbit
Leucanthemum vulgare  =  Oxeye Daisy
Lolium perenne  =  Perennial Rye-grass
Lonicera periclymenum  =  Honeysuckle
Luzula multiflora  =  Heath Wood-rush
Luzula sylvatica  =  Great Wood-rush
Lychnis flos-cuculi  =  Ragged-Robin
Lysimachia nemorum  =  Yellow Pimpernel
Lythrum salicaria  =  Purple-loosestrife
Matricaria discoidea  =  Pineappleweed
Mentha aquatica  =  Water Mint
Mentha suaveolens  =  Round-leaved Mint
Mimulus guttatus  =  Monkeyflower (see picture)

Molinia caerulea  =  Purple Moor-grass
Myosotis arvensis  =  Field Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides  =  Water Forget-me-not
Myosotis secunda  =  Creeping Forget-me-not
Myrica gale  =  Bog-myrtle
Narthecium ossifragum  =  Bog Asphodel
Nasturtium officinale  =  Water-cress
Odontites vernus  =  Red Bartsia
Oxalis acetosella  =  Wood-sorrel
Pedicularis sylvatica  =  Lousewort
Phragmites australis  =  Common Reed
Plantago coronopus  =  Buck's-horn Plantain
Plantago lanceolata  =  Ribwort Plantain
Plantago major  =  Greater Plantain
Plantago maritima  =  Sea Plantain
Poa pratensis  =  Smooth Meadow-grass
Polygala serpyllifolia  =  Heath Milkwort
Polygala vulgaris  =  Common Milkwort
Polygonum hydropiper  =  Water-pepper
Polypodium vulgare  =  Polypody
Potamogeton gramineus  =  Various-leaved Pondweed
Potamogeton polygonifolius  =  Bog Pondweed
Potentilla anserina  =  Silverweed
Potentilla erecta  =  Tormentil
Potentilla reptans  =  Creeping Cinquefoil
Primula vulgaris  =  Primrose
Prunella vulgaris  =  Selfheal
Prunus spinosa  =  Blackthorn
Pteridium aquilinum  =  Bracken
Quercus petraea  =  Sessile Oak
Ranunculus acris  =  Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus ficaria  =  Lesser Celandine
Ranunculus flammula  =  Lesser Spearwort
Ranunculus repens  =  Creeping Buttercup
Rhinanthus minor  =  Yellow-rattle (see picture)

Rosa canina  =  Dog-rose
Rubus fruticosus agg  =  Bramble Raspberry
Rubus idaeus  =  Raspberry
Rumex acetosa  =  Common Sorrel
Rumex acetosella  =  Sheep's Sorrel
Rumex crispus  =  Curled Dock
Rumex obtusifolius  =  Broad-leaved Dock
Sagina procumbens  =  Procumbent Pearlwort
Salix purpurea  =  Purple Willow
Sedum anglicum  =  English stonecrop (see picture)

Salix repens  =  Creeping Willow
Senecio aquaticus  =  Marsh Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea  =  Common Ragwort
Senecio vulgaris  =  Groundsel
Silene dioica  =  Red Campion
Silene uniflora  =  Sea Campion
Sisyrinchium bermudiana  =  Blue-eyed-grass
Sonchus arvensis  =  Perennial Sow-thistle
Sonchus asper  =  Prickly Sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus  =  Smooth Sow-thistle
Sorbus aucuparia  =  Rowan
Spergula arvensis  =  Corn Spurrey
Spergularia rupicola  =  Rock Sea-spurrey
Stachys palustris  =  Marsh Woundwort
Stellaria graminea  =  Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria holostea  =  Greater Stitchwort
Stellaria media  =  Common Chickweed
Tanacetum vulgare  =  Tansy
Taraxacum Sect. officinale group  =  Dandelion
Thalictrum alpinum  =  Alpine Meadow-rue
Thymus polytrichus  =  Wild Garden
Torilis japonica  =  Upright Hedge-parsley
Trichophorum cespitosum  =  Deergrass
Trifolium dubium  =  Lesser Trefoil
Trifolium medium  =  Zigzag Clover (see picture)

Trifolium pratense  =  Red Clover
Trifolium repens  =  White Clover
Triglochin maritima  =  Sea Arrow-grass
Tussilago farfara  =  Colt's-foot
Typha latifolia  =  Bulrush
Ulex europaeus  =  Gorse
Umbilicus rupestris  =  Navelwort
Urtica dioica  =  Common Nettle
Urtica urens  =  Small Nettle
Veronica serpyllifolia  =  Thyme-leaved Speedwell
Vicia cracca  =  Tufted Vetch
Vicia sativa  =  Common Vetch
Viola canina  =  Heath Dog-violet
Viola palustris  =  Marsh Violet
Viola riviniana  =  Common Dog-violet

Plant species of Toraigh / Tory island (Google Map)

Recorded on 12 July 2010

Anagallis tenella  =  Bog Pimpernel
Angelica sylvestris  =  Wild Angelica
Anthoxanthum odoratum  =  Sweet Vernal-grass
Apium nodiflorum  =  Fool's-water-cress
Arctium minus  =  Lesser Burdock
Armeria maritima  =  Thrift
Asplenium marinum  =  Sea Spleenwort
Athyrium filix-femina  =  Lady-fern
Atriplex patula  =  Common Orache
Bellis perennis  =  Daisy
Blechnum spicant  =  Hard-fern
Callitriche stagnalis  =  Common Water-starwort
Calluna vulgaris  =  Heather
Cardamine pratensis  =  Cuckooflower
Carex echinata  =  Star Sedge
Carex nigra  =  Common Sedge
Carex pulicaris  =  Flea Sedge
Centaurea nigra  =  Common Knapweed
Centaurium erythraea  =  Common Centaury
Cerastium fontanum  =  Common Mouse-ear
Cerastium glomeratum  =  Sticky Mouse-ear
Cirsium vulgare  =  Spear Thistle
Cochlearia officinalis  =  Common Scurvygrass
Crepis capillaris  =  Smooth Hawk's-beard
Crithmum maritimum  =  Rock samphire
Crocosmia spec  =  Montbretia
Dactylis glomerata  =  Cock's-foot
Dactylorhiza incarnata  =  Early Marsh-orchid
Daucus carota  =  Wiuld Carrot
Eleocharis palustris  =  Common Spike-rush
Elymus repens  =  Common couch
Epilobium montanum  =  Broad-leaved Willowherb
Erica cinerea  =  Bell Heather
Erica tetralix  =  Cross-leaved Heath (see picture)

Eriophorum angustifolium  =  Common Cottongrass
Euphrasia arctica  =  Northern eyebright
Euphrasia nemorosa  =  Common eyebright (see picture)

Galium aparine  =  Cleavers
Galium palustre  =  Common Marsh-bedstraw
Gnaphalium uliginosum  =  Marsh Cudweed
Heracleum sphondylium  =  Hogweed
Hieracium pilosella  =  Mouse-ear-hawkweed
Holcus lanatus  =  Yorkshire-fog
Honkenya peploides  =  Sea sandwort
Hydrocotyle vulgaris  =  Marsh Pennywort
Hypericum pulchrum  =  Slender St John's-wort
Hypochoeris radicata  =  Cat's-ear
Iris pseudacorus  =  Yellow Iris
Jasione montana  =  Sheep's-bit
Juncus acutiflorus  =  Sharp-flowered Rush
Juncus bufonius  =  Toad Rush
Juncus effusus  =  Soft-rush
Leontodon autumnalis  =  Autumn Hawkbit
Ligusticum scoticum  =  Scots Lovage
Lolium perenne  =  Perennial Rye-grass
Lotus corniculatus  =  Common Bird's-foot-trefoil
Lotus uliginosus (L. pedunculatus)  =  Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil
Luzula campestris  =  Field Wood-rush
Lychnis flos-cuculi  =  Ragged-Robin
Lythrum salicaria  =  Purple-loosestrife
Matricaria discoidea  =  Pineappleweed
Matricaria maritima  =  Sea Mayweed
Molinia caerulea  =  Purple Moor-grass
Myosotis laxa  =  Tufted Forget-me-not
Odontites vernus  =  Red Bartsia (see picture)

Osmunda regalis  =  Royal Fern (see picture)

Plantago coronopus  =  Buck's-horn Plantain
Plantago lanceolata  =  Ribwort Plantain
Plantago major  =  Greater Plantain
Plantago maritima  =  Sea Plantain
Poa annua  =  Annual Meadow-grass
Poa pratensis  =  Smooth Meadow-grass
Polygonum persicaria  =  Redshank
Potamogeton natans  =  Broad-leaved Pondweed
Potentilla anserina  =  Silverweed
Potentilla erecta  =  Tormentil
Prunella vulgaris  =  Selfheal
Pteridium aquilinum  =  Bracken
Radiola linoides  =  Allseed
Ranunculus acris  =  Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus flammula  =  Lesser Spearwort
Ranunculus repens  =  Creeping Buttercup
Rumex acetosa  =  Common Sorrel
Rumex crispus  =  Curled Dock
Rumex obtusifolius  =  Broad-leaved Dock
Sagina maritima  =  Sea Pearlwort
Sagina procumbens  =  Procumbent Pearlwort
Salix cinerea  =  Grey Willow
Salix repens  =  Creeping Willow
Sedum album  =  White Stonecrop
Senecio aquaticus  =  Marsh Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea  =  Common Ragwort
Senecio vulgaris  =  Groundsel
Silene uniflora  =  Sea Campion
Sonchus asper  =  Prickly Sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus  =  Smooth Sow-thistle
Spergula arvensis  =  Corn Spurrey
Spergularia rubra  =  Sand Spurrey
Spergularia rupicola  =  Rock Sea-spurrey
Stachys palustris  =  Marsh Woundwort
Stellaria media  =  Common Chickweed
Tanacetum vulgare  =  Tansy
Taraxacum Sect. officinale group  =  Dandelion
Thymus polytrichus (T. praecox)  =  Wild Garden
Trifolium pratense  =  Red Clover
Trifolium repens  =  White Clover
Tussilago farfara  =  Colt's-foot
Urtica dioica  =  Common Nettle