BSW3 7. Disert during the Famine

Speaker: John McGroaryFrom the Bluestack Way Part 3 playlist. Disert – the area around the wall and burial site at Disert presents a restricted, but interesting flora. Bluebells thrive in the area, even in intensely grazed fields, probably due to the non-application of artificial fertilisers. Thistles are common and are reportedly a favourite food of donkeys no less. Many fields are bracken choked in the summer months, possibly another indication of the absence of artificial fertlisers. Near the parking area on the way to Disert a small stream has incised a deep gorge which has fenced off and contains a stand of hazel trees with a local rich flora of primroses, lesser celadine and wood amemone. Along the road there are also dog violets, foxglove, wild strawberry and various fern and moss varieties.  In our audio piece, John tells us about how this area coped during Famine times.