The nature reserve supports the usual collection of native mammals. It is a stronghold for pine marten and red squirrel. The latter species has become very scarce elsewhere in Ireland owing to the spread of the introduced grey squirrel. A number of large badger setts occur in the woods. The wetlands are used by otters. The woods are used by a number of species of bat, the lesser horseshoe bat – a species very rare in a European context – being the most notable. An old building was renovated to be used as a summer roost for this species and an artificial winter roost for their winter hibernation has been constructed nearby. There is a small herd of native red deer in the enclosure beside the visitor centre.
