Latest News from the Ring of Gullion

Success for Pollination Project in Antrim

Posted on: 3rd August 2018

A simple change in mowing has provided a fantastic success in a pollination project Ballymena.

More than 60 rare orchids have been found in a wildflower meadow created by a County Antrim school.

The Irish Lady's Tresses were found at Cambridge House Grammar School in Ballymena. There are only 2,000 of the flowers to be found in Europe.

Northern Ireland is home to most of them.

The school set aside an area near its playing fields two years ago as part of a project to encourage pollinators.

DAERA seeks views on a future agricultural policy framework for NI

Posted on: 2nd August 2018

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is to engage with the wider farming, food and environmental sectors on a possible future agricultural policy framework for Northern Ireland (NI).

Following any agreed transition period, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will no longer apply to NI once the UK leaves the European Union, and therefore the views of stakeholders are being sought on a ‘Future Agricultural Policy Framework’ document to help shape the debate on future support arrangements for NI.

Launch of the 2018 Moth Poetry Prize

Posted on: 20th July 2018

The Moth Poetry Prize offers one of the most lucrative awards in the world for a single unpublished poem.　

Prizes are as follows:　

One prize of €10,000.　

Three runner-up prizes of €1,000.　

Shortlisted poems will be published in the spring 2019 issue of The Moth. The winner will be announced at a special award ceremony at Poetry Ireland in Dublin in the spring of 2019.　

Woodland Grants at 100%

Posted on: 18th July 2018

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today announced the opening of the latest phase of the Forest Expansion Scheme.

Slieve Gullion Fire

Posted on: 10th July 2018

A gorse fire has been burning at the Ballintemple end of Slieve Gullion mountain since Friday. Fire crews have been working tirelessly alongside volunteers from Mourne Heritage Trust amongst others, to bring the fire under control. The emergency services request that people refrain from walking on the summit of Slieve Gullion mountain and visiting the area of the fire as this is hindering their work.

Ring of Gullion Lúnasa Festival 2018

Posted on: 15th June 2018

Dinosaurs, Celts, fairies and singer/song-writer John Spillane are all visiting the Ring of Gullion, South Armagh, this August, and you should too!

The Ring of Gullion Lúnasa Festival, running from 3rd to 26th August, is bigger and better than ever, with over 30 events there's something for everyone. Have a look inside for the highlights.