Armagh area of Outstanding Natural Beauty management strategy

The Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is to have an updated management strategy to help conserve its special landscape, heritage and culture.

The Ring of Gullion area was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1991. The landscape is considered special due to Slieve Gullion and its encircling Ring Dyke of hills. These are both remnants of an extinct volcano. The area is also important for its traditional field patterns, upland heather moorland, rich archaeology and cultural traditions.

The designation of an area as an AONB makes it eligible for special programmes of management activity by the Environment and Heritage Service and by other Government Bodies and Departments. These programmes are aimed at maintaining the quality of the landscape and providing opportunities to learn about and enjoy the countryside for local people and visitors. Designation also recognises and seeks to protect the culture and traditional activities of the area where these contribute to its distinctive character.

Preparation of the new strategy is being steered by a working group comprising representatives from the community, Newry and Mourne District Council and statutory agencies.  Judith Annett Countryside Consultancy and Colin Buchanan Associates have been appointed by EHS to prepare the strategy and lead the public consultation process.

Ron Murray, Ring of Gullion AONB Officer said: “The new strategy is a real opportunity to highlight the importance of the area, and to determine what needs to be done to care for it in the future. New funding will also be needed to implement initiatives.  To make the strategy successful we need people to make their views known about the needs of both residents and visitors.”

Judith Annett, who is leading the consultancy team preparing the strategy for EHS thanked the members of the working group for their involvement and said: “Looking after landscapes and the well-being of the people who live here is a job that requires good cooperation among different organisations and the local communities. Special landscapes like Ring of Gullion need people to go that extra mile and think about their impacts on the character and nature of the landscape. The working group can help provide that coordination and will help us to design a strategy that is fit for purpose”.

Views of the people in the Ring of Gullion area are being sought on how the area should be managed in future.  The strategy covers 2008 and 2012 and the consultation will close on 8 June 2007.  The consultation paper is available in local libraries, the Newry and Mourne Council offices, Monaghan Row, Newry or by telephoning Ron Murray on 028 3086 8183.

Notes to Editors:

A series of public workshops is being held for members of the public:

Workshop 1

Visiting and enjoying Ring of Gullion AONB

Venue - Forkill Community Centre

Tuesday 8 May 2007    Time –7.30 – 9.30 pm

Workshop 2

Living and working in Ring of Gullion AONB

Venue – Bessbrook Community Centre

Thursday 10 May 2007    Time—7.30 -9.30 pm

Workshop 3

Looking after Ring of Gullion AONB

Venue 2– Meigh Community Centre

Wednesday 16  May 2007 Time—7.30 -9.30 pm

Workshop 4

Living and Working in Ring of Gullion AONB.

Venue - Mullaghbane Community Centre

Thursday 17 May 2007 Time -10.00 a.m. until 12.00 midday