Randoon

Infobox Mountain
Name= Randoon
Location = County Westmeath, IRL
Range =
Elevation= 125m (300 ft)
Photo=Randoon_morning_sky.jpg
Caption=Randoon, Overgrown Ringfort, Ranaghan, County Westmeath in Morning Sky.
Prominence = 150m
Listing =

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 is comprised mostly 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").

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. 2007To the west and north of the neighbouring woods are inhabited by wild pheasant and is a popular attraction for the local pheasant hunters.

ee also

* Ringforts
* Hill of Tara
* Viking