The Garrison Lowlands,in the far west of Fermanagh, are bounded by Lough Melvin and the County River. The land rises to the east, and a mixed geology has resulted in poorly drained lowland soils, with exposed sandstone on ridges. Long rounded ridges of glacial deposits, becoming flatter further west, are separated by small rivers which head west in narrow wooded gorges, through circular lakes, bogs and wet meadows. Land use is dominated by small, enclosed rush-infested pastures. Herb-rich hay meadows are common, due to traditional, low intensity farming methods.
Fields are separated by overgrown hedgerows or, higher up, by earth hedge banks with low trees and shrubs and some post and wire fencing. Earth banks on higher ground are bare except where forestry trees along field boundaries form conifer hedges and shelter belts. There are modest scale blocks of coniferous planting, but only low native tree cover which is seen around farms and along river valleys. Small scale settlement, a mixture of modern bungalows and old thatched cottages, is dispersed along roads or clustered at junctions. The ruins of scattered housing sites are marked by groups of trees. The village of Garrison, a focus of recreational activity, lies in a picturesque setting at the head of Lough Melvin, where views southwards are dominated by distinctive 'ladder farms' on pronounced slopes. Numerous raths are scattered throughout the area.
There is evidence of a decline in farming activity leading to dereliction, abandoned units and rough grazing. The loss of fields and boundaries to rush and scrub gives the area a forgotten and isolated character. However, the survival of traditional farming methods has resulted in the conservation of distinctive herb rich hay meadows which are a special feature of this area. Recent forestry plantation is beginning to mask the former field boundaries and will lead to a sterile landscape if it becomes widespread. Post and wire fences replacing hedgerows and earth banks give the area a degraded character. Extensive damage to lowland bogs is a result of turbary. However, the piles of peat left to dry are a distinctive feature. Many of the older houses remain unmodernised and basic. New bungalows along roads and at junctions are very mixed in style. The north shores of Lough Melvin are low-lying and exposed with boulder and shingle beaches fringed by thickets and reed beds; low ridges project into the lough forming points and islands. This edge landscape is highly sensitive to change. The lough itself has unusually clean water.
Principles for Landscape Management