2024 County Report for Co. Clare

Donncha Ó Catháin, Phoebe O’Brien, and Hannah Mulcahy

Wetland Surveys Ireland discovered the red data book listed species Yellow Bird's-nest (Hypopitys monotropa) at Craggaunowen.

Three new sporophyte populations of Killarney Fern were recorded by Donncha in West and North Co. Clare. The sporophyte was also re-found where it was first recorded by T.H Corry  in 1879. Details of all Killarney Fern records have been sent to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Donncha and Nick Stewart found Nitella tenuissima, Tolypella glomerata and other charophytes at Lough Gealain. Donncha also recorded Nitella tenuissima at Garrus Quarry near Ennis; this is a new site for this charophyte.

Rory Hodd (Kerry VCR) found Scaly Bucker-fern (Dryopteris remota) at Affick and this was confirmed by Fred Rumsey. The location is not too far away from the original plant found by Praeger at Dalystown in Southeast Galway in 1897. It is the fourth record for the species in Ireland.

Hop (Humulus lupulus), was found in the Burren National Park in a farm hedgerow. This is the second current location after Donncha Ó Catháin found Hop near Ennis at Killone Lough in 2021.

Hannah Mulcahy found Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) at Doon Lough in East Clare. The species is mainly found around Limerick City.

Frank Farrell and Elaine O’Malley sent in new Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) records.

We held two field trips, one on the Green Road in the Burren to see Artic Sandwort (Arenaria norvegica) and the other on the dunes at Doonbeg and Seafield.