Projects in the Ring of Gullion

ASCENT – European upland areas

ASCENT, a new innovative project to collectively address the environmental challenges facing seven northern European upland areas, is a three year project and involves Donegal County Council as lead partner, working collaboratively with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the Mourne Heritage Trust in Northern Ireland, Metsähallitus Park and Wildlife in Finland, Hordaland County Council in Norway, and the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland along with associated partners including Údarás na Gaeltachta, Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, Mossfellsbær Municipality and Skaftárhreppur.

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2nd All-Ireland Pine Marten Symposium in the Ring of Gullion

A fabulous conference in October 2016 proved that the Ring of Gullion is “Nut” just about red squirrels by attracting over a hundred delegates from Ireland, England Scotland and France to run rings around the Ring’s Pine martens. The 2nd All Ireland Pine marten conference was held in Tí Chulainn conference centre in Mullaghbane.

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NI Forest School Awards – Promoting inspirational outdoor learning

In 2016, thanks to the Northern Ireland Forest School Association, supported by Newry Mourne and Down District Council through the Ring of Gullion team and in partnership with Ni4kids, schools in the Ring of Gullion had the opportunity to win free entry to the programme and become an accredited Forest School.

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Shared waters, shared landscapes project: new vision for local waterways 2017

The communities of Forkhill, Mullaghbawn and Cullyhanna came together over 10 weeks at the start of 2017 through the Shared Waters, Shared Landscapes Project to create a vision for their local lakes and rivers. The aim of the project was to re-engage the community young and old with the lakes, rivers and streams in the area.

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The wild goats of south Armagh

Newry Mourne and Down District Council through the Ring of Gullion Partnership working with the Old Irish Goat Society, Mayo to identify if the feral goat population in the area could contain the Old Irish phenotype and to estimate numbers.

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StreamScape’s schools engagement in the Ring of Gullion 2016

The ‘StreamScapes Gullion’ Project raised awareness of the streams and rivers flowing off of Slieve Gullion, with the participating students engaging in related ‘Eco-Art’ projects inspired by the Project to share with the wider community.
A dedicated booklet, ‘StreamScapes Gullion’, was distributed to all participating schools.

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Built heritage surveys

The built heritage surveys will involve workshops on how to carry out remote sensing, field walking surveys, identify features in the landscape, aerial drones, and how to use video equipment to interpret the landscape and compare these with ground level sightings. There will be a chance to be part of community digs too.

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Bard of Armagh homestead committee

This project, which is led by local community volunteers focuses on the life of Bishop Dr Patrick Donnelly of Dromore, the “Bard of Armagh”. The scheme will centre on the Bard’s home, a uniquely important 18th century dwelling house in Lislea. It plans to explore the potential to bring the house back to its former glory. This important jewel in the heritage of the Ring of Gullion AONB deserves to be recognised.

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Bessbrook – The Model Village Living History Archive

This project is funded through the Heritage Lottery's Our Heritage fund, It is managed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council through the Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme. The steering group is comprised of: The Bessbrook Development Company; The Bessbrook Heritage Group; and The Friends of Derrymore.

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Habitat protection, restoration and creation

This project aims to conserve the biodiversity in the Ring of Gullion landscape area through surveying, education and raising awareness in the community and beyond regarding good environmental practice. The project also aims to increase the amount of biodiversity by restoring habitats and removing the threat of non-native invasive species.

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Cultural heritage festival and historical revival

This project aims to enhance local festivals/events through the introduction of new elements that enhances knowledge/appreciation of the heritage of the area. It also aims to raise awareness of the heritage and historical events of the area through participation in local events/festivals.

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Community walking leader and heritage ambassador

The aim of this project is to create a pool of people able to lead groups of walkers around the LP area. It also aims to increase the knowledge base for current and future tour guides, accommodation providers and tour operators in order for these groups to be able to promote the LP area to its full potential.

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