Mourne Park in Co Down is set to reopen following damage from Storms Darragh and Éowyn, and it will do so after securing the largest Heritage Fund grant received by the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland.
The £2.5m cash boost from the National Lottery will support a £3.3m five-year project dedicated to restoring ancient woodland, planting new native trees and developing additional walking trails.
Dave Scott, Estate and Project Manager at Mourne Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty between the Southern Mournes and the Irish Sea, just outside Kilkeel, said the funding will help preserve the ancient woodland for future generations to enjoy.
“Restoring Mourne Park’s ancient woodland is essential to preserving hundreds of veteran trees and ensuring their survival for future generations.
“Thanks to this generous funding, we can continue removing invasive species, regenerating native trees, creating more access to green space for people including those with limited mobility, create employment opportunities during the project, engage with the local community through our volunteering and community work and share conservation knowledge through skills training and wildlife monitoring.”
Dave Scott, Estate and Project Manager at Mourne Park with Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Credit: Raphael Mason Photography)
The funding boost will help the park to create 6km of walking trails leading to Knockchree Hill, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and sea.
The project will also see the restoration of the stone bridge, a historic part of the old Newry Road that is set within the boundary of the park opening access points across the river, enhancing the surrounding ancient woodland.
As well as preserving the ancient trees, a new native woodland will be established to protect the edges of the existing ancient woodland and create corridors for wildlife.
As part of the project, the park will also be providing employment opportunities including roles for a Project Manager and a Conservation Officer, as well as seeking to expand its volunteer and community outreach.
Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “As one of the UK’s largest investors in natural heritage, we strongly believe that everyone benefits from landscapes rich in nature and beauty.
Dave Scott with Dr Paul Mullan at the old bridge part of the restoration project (Credit: Raphael Mason Photography)
“At a time when Northern Ireland is ranked as the least wooded area in Europe with under 9% total tree cover and our most precious places are facing immense challenges due to a changing climate, we’re pleased to support The Woodland Trust in protecting and reinvigorating Mourne Park’s precious native woodland which has stood for five centuries.
“Increasing people’s access to nature by providing new, accessible paths is an integral part of this heritage project, meaning more people can connect with nature and this impressive landscape.”
Mourne Park is home to 73 hectares of ancient woodland, a habitat that has existed since at least the 1600s. Mourne Park is recognised as a significant site for this habitat as it is rare in Northern Ireland with just 0.04% cover.
The restoration effort is particularly crucial. Over 30 hectares of ancient woodland in the park have already begun the recovery process, with native species rebounding as invasive rhododendrons are cleared.