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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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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Camlough and Bessbrook heritage trails

This project aims to establish a network of trails to interpret the rich landscape heritage of the Ring of Gullion and to provide high quality interpretation on trails; improving the visitor experience in the area and better informing locals of their history.

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Know your townlands

The project aims to raise awareness about the townlands in South Armagh, their history, their meaning and why they are important. The project aims to regain the oral tradition around the local townlands that has been lost in many communities. Each townland will be marked with boundary markers on roads that intersect them.

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Protect Slieve Gullion Cairn

This project aims to restore aspects and conserve one of the country’s most important built heritage sites. The tombs passage will be re-profiled to its original shape, graffiti will be removed, the chamber restored in line with the recommendations from the initial survey document, available from the download below.

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Traditional Building skills training

This project aims to provide skills training in traditional building skills .

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Volunteering and Youth rangers programme

The aims of this project are to build capacity in the local population to carry out conservation work. To inspire and build capacity in the area’s young people to manage protected areas.

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