Pictured: Mick and Pauline Boyle, the parents of Mick Boyle owner of Killeavy Castle, planting the first tree of 50,000 trees to be planted on Killeavy Castle Estate over the next 5 years.
Over 200 acres of native woodland on the slopes of Slieve Gullion, South Armagh, will be regenerated and planted following the collaborative partnership agreed recently between Killeavy Castle Estate and the Forest Service of Northern Ireland. This agreement facilitates the development of public walking paths in the area in cooperation with Newry Mourne & Down District Council and woodland planting and regeneration in consultation with the Woodland Trust.
This collaborative partnership agreement is the first step and enables the development of a woodland regeneration and recreational plan on the grounds of Killeavy Castle Estate. The group will work together to further develop sustainable forestry and recreational plans within the Killeavy Estate setting for the benefit of the region and beyond.
Owner of Killeavy Castle Estate, Mick Boyle, remarked: “We are so delighted to be part of this collaboration which will extend a biodiversity corridor from the existing woodland on Killeavy Castle Estate, across the slopes of Slieve Gullion and into the Slieve Gullion Forest Park. This is a legacy project which will not only protect and enhance the native flora and fauna but also greatly benefit the residents and visitors to South Armagh for many, many years to come.”
Forest Service Chief Executive, John Joe O’Boyle, said “This collaborative partnership is an enabler for a holistic approach to the sustainable development of the woodlands which will enhance biodiversity, environmental and landscape values and their public use for future generations.”
“Additional benefits of this collaboration are the creation of greater biodiverse habitats for rare and endangered species such as red squirrels and pine martens and carbon sequestration through extensive broadleaf tree planting” commented Gregor Fulton, Senior Outreach Manager Woodland Trust.
Chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Michael Savage said: “We look forward to working with the partnership to extend the recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to our region to explore the pristine natural landscape of our district.”
For further information, please contact Terry Kelly, Killeavy Castle Estate, sales@killeavycastle.com