Areas of Special Scientific Interest  

Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) are areas of land that have been identified by scientific survey as being of the highest degree of nature conservation value, either in terms of wildlife habitats, or because they are home to rare species of plants or animals. The National Trust owns 17 ASSIs in Northern Ireland.

• Ballycarry, Rathlin Island  
• Ballymacormick Point
• Barmouth and Grangemore
• Carrick-a-Rede
• Crom Estate
• Dundrum Coastal Path
• Giant's Causeway
• Green and Blockhouse Islands
• Larrybane
• Murlough National Nature Reserve
• Mourne Coastal Footpath
• Portstewart Strand
• Sheep Island
• Slieve Donard
• Strangford Lough
• Tonregee Island
• Whitepark Bay

National Nature Reserves  

National Nature Reserves are nationally important sites representing the best examples of our natural habitats and are managed specifically to conserve nature and, where possible, provide opportunities for public access, education and research. Seven of our properties are NNRs.

• Giant's Causeway
• Murlough National Nature Reserve
• Strangford Lough (five - North Strangford, Dorn, Granagh Bay, Ballyquintin Point, Killard Point)