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Living example of traditional farmland safeguarded for nature
Living example of traditional farmland safeguarded for nature

BreakingNews.ie

time10 hours ago

  • General
  • BreakingNews.ie

Living example of traditional farmland safeguarded for nature

An area of farmland in Co Fermanagh has been preserved as a nature reserve. The 90-acre area at Fedian has been described as brimming with wildflower meadows, bird-friendly hedgerows and ancient woodland. Advertisement It has now been purchased by nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife as its newest nature reserve thanks to funding support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Wildlife Trusts, and gifts in wills from Ulster Wildlife supporters. Fedian Nature Reserve, located close to Derrygonnelly is termed as a living example of traditional farmland, previously owned by the Nixon family and sympathetically managed by local grazier George Ferguson. It is untouched by modern farming methods such as fertiliser and slurry, and its habitats have become a haven for wildlife, including threatened species such as red squirrels, pine martens and otters as well as woodcocks, marsh fritillary butterflies and a wealth of wildflowers. The red squirrel is one of several threatened species now protected at the ancient woodland of Fedian Nature Reserve. Photo: Ulster Wildlife/Adam Gerrard Peter McEvoy, Director of Land Management at Ulster Wildlife, said it is a special place. Advertisement 'When we first stepped foot on Fedian over eight years ago through our Environmental Farming Scheme Group programme, we knew it was a special place, reminiscent of fields that time had forgotten,' he said. 'It is home to one of the few remaining remnants of species-rich grassland and centuries-old woodland in Northern Ireland – two vanishing landscape types that tell the story of what's been lost, and what we still have time to protect. 'This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a site of exceptional nature value, something that would take tens, if not hundreds, of years to recreate.' Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said it awarded £150,000 (€175,000) to help acquire the grasslands of Fedian. Advertisement 'We're committed to supporting nature recovery, and with Ulster Wildlife securing this haven for nature, it means that this vital habitat and the species found there can thrive,' he said. 'It's a wonderful example of our natural heritage, combining precious, ancient woodland and an intact example of pre-war farmland. 'We're so pleased that people will be able to connect with this untouched landscape, whether through its use as a nature-friendly farming demonstration site or on a guided walk.' Ulster Wildlife said Fedian Nature Reserve will continue to be actively farmed, with low numbers of cattle grazed across the site to maintain the wildflower-rich grasslands awash with orchids in summer, from early purple to yellow bird's nest, to swathes of devil's bit scabious. Advertisement Ireland Windfarm must shut down three turbines and pay €36... Read More They also said grazing is vital to ensure the population of Europe's most threatened butterflies, the marsh fritillary, which thrives there, along with the locally rare dingy skipper butterfly. It will not be open for general public access, but will serve as a model for nature-friendly farming, with the charity hosting demonstration events, knowledge-sharing with local farmers, and annual guided walks for the community and Ulster Wildlife members. Mr McEvoy added: 'This is not just about protecting a unique wildlife haven; it's about demonstrating what farming and nature conservation can look like side by side. 'Our aim is for Fedian Nature Reserve to become a beacon for nature-friendly land management, and we're delighted to have been able to secure its future for generations to come.'

‘Heartbroken' Luke Towey admits disappointment as Sligo fall to Fermanagh defeat
‘Heartbroken' Luke Towey admits disappointment as Sligo fall to Fermanagh defeat

Irish Independent

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Irish Independent

‘Heartbroken' Luke Towey admits disappointment as Sligo fall to Fermanagh defeat

Sligo Champion Today at 22:30 Gutted – that was the abiding emotion from Sligo wing back Luke Towey after seeing Fermanagh edge out the Yeats County by 0-21 to 1-16 to end their hopes of Tailteann Cup glory in Croke Park. On the day, the Naomh Molaise Gaels clubman was one of their better players – a constant link between defence on a day when the Sligo forwards generally misfired.

Kildare play Fermanagh in Tailteann Cup semi-finals
Kildare play Fermanagh in Tailteann Cup semi-finals

The 42

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • The 42

Kildare play Fermanagh in Tailteann Cup semi-finals

THE DRAW FOR the Tailteann Cup semi-finals has been made. Kildare will face Fermanagh, while Wicklow and Limerick will go head-to-head for a spot in the second-tier football final. The games will take place in Croke Park next weekend, 21-22 June, with fixture details to be finalised by the CCCC later today. The draw took place on RTÉ Radio 1 as part of Morning Ireland, and was presided over by the GAA's CCCC Chairperson Brian Carroll and Feargal McGill, GAA Director Player, Club and Games Administration. Advertisement Tailteann Cup semi-finals Fermanagh v Kildare Wicklow v Limerick Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here

Tailteann Cup: Limerick and Wicklow march on to join Kildare and Fermanagh in semi-finals
Tailteann Cup: Limerick and Wicklow march on to join Kildare and Fermanagh in semi-finals

Irish Times

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • Irish Times

Tailteann Cup: Limerick and Wicklow march on to join Kildare and Fermanagh in semi-finals

There is a first semi-final appearance in the Tailteann Cup for Limerick , Wicklow , Fermanagh and Kildare , who were all winners over the weekend. Next Sunday will see this quartet play the semi-finals at Croke Park. Limerick, thanks to two goals apiece from Cillian Fahy and Danny Neville pulled clear of Wexford on home soil. Despite goals from Mark Rossiter and Sean Nolan, Wexford were 4-21 to 2-19 in arrears at full-time having kicked six two-pointers. Key to Limerick's success were nine points from talisman James Naughton, while rising talent Emmet Rigter kicked three points from play. They had trailed by five, then led by six before being drawn back to level thanks to Nolan's shooting, but they stepped on the gas in the second half to pull comfortably clear. READ MORE In Aughrim, Wicklow had a most dramatic victory over Westmeath. Trailing by eight points, they prevailed on home soil on a 2-18 to 2-17 scoreline, as Dean Healy kicked a late, late winner. An early Shane Allen goal was soon cancelled out by Oisin McGraynor but Luke Loughlin, Ray Connellan and Ronan Wallace all pointed for Westmeath, with a 15th-minute goal from Sam McCartan really putting them in control. Indeed it got better in the second half as Robbie Forde and Loughlin both kicked two pointers, however, Mark Jackson matched this at the other end, from a free. Eoin Darcy and then a goal from a penalty – McGraynor again – ensured parity. There was plenty of more drama in the closing stages, with Loughlin and McCartan re-establishing the four point lead, only for the final five points to go to Oisin McConville's men. Conor Fee, Jackson (two-pointer) and Padraig O'Toole levelled the game allowing Healy the chance to win it at the death. On Saturday, Fermanagh edged by Sligo 0-21 to 1-16. The result marks a final game in charge of the Yeats County for Tony McEntee who stepped down after the loss. Fermanagh had ten different scorers with Garvan Hughes top scoring with 0-5. Sligo, who had 1-4 from Niall Murphy, looked well placed when they led by four at the end of the opening quarter, thanks to Murphy's goal. However Jones and his colleagues fought back and it was 0-14 to 1-6 by half-time. Fionan O'Brien and Declan McCusker kept the Ulster side ahead with Pat Spillane setting up a tense finish with a two-pointer, but there was to be no equaliser in Brewster Park. Favourites Kildare edged a derby with Offaly, which meant that all four home sides, who had a week off, prevailed in these quarter-finals. A tight 1-17 to 0-19 win at Cedral St. Conleth's Park in Newbridge keeps the Lillywhites in the title hunt, with Alex Beirne continuing his fine scoring form, totting up 0-7. Leading by two at half-time, James McGrath's goal the difference. Offaly stayed in the contest with Jordan Hayes' brace of two pointers but Beirne and Mick O'Grady answered at the other end. A late two-point effort, which could have seen Offaly prevail, drifted wide. Tailteann Cup quarter-final results: Fermanagh 0-21 Sligo 1-16 Kildare 1-17 Offaly 0-19 Wicklow 2-18 Westmeath 2-17 Limerick 4-21 Wexford 2-19

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