Baseline investigations and surveys on archaeology, geology, entomology and botany were conducted during the development of the centre. The archaeological sites surrounding the Wetlands comprise of a very interesting group of features, representing at least four periods of human activity, including ring barrows, ringforts, moated sites and a tower house.
During the entomological survey which was conducted in 1994, a rare caddis fly,
Limnephilus pati, was collected. Prior to the discovery in the Cabragh Wetlands, it was known from only three other sites in Ireland, the most recent record being July 1894. It is listed in the British Red Data List as being in danger of extinction and the immature stages are still unknown.
The Cabragh marsh is botanically one of the richest wetlands in North Tipperary.
Its value lies both in its species content and also in the habitat variation
which allows two contrasting types to exist within a small area, namely nutrient-poor
marl fen and nutrient-rich floodplain fen. This gives two distinct elements
to its flora and five main vegetation types. The rare summer snowflake (Leucojum
aestivum) abounds here.
More in depth studies needs to be undertaken in all disciplines at Cabragh Wetlands and tertiary level students are invited to conduct field research at the Wetland.
Bird Watch Ireland has established Cabragh Wetland as a network ringing site and a survey of the birds will be undertaken during the next seven years. This should provide detail information enabling a fuller understanding of native and visiting bird species
