ABOUT ABOUT BINEVENAGH

outdoor recereation pitches into a providing advice, help and support A Voice on the Hill gem of a public park. The recreation in every way, recognising that the To mark the tenth anniversary of the Causeway about idea being to retain the football success of VB serves to add to the Brain Teaser Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT) local MLAs CO-OPERATION pitches themselves but also to make attractiveness of this wonderful gift Mervyn Storey and Cathal O h’Oisín hosted an event is the key to success in the Binevenagh Area the area as a whole much more from nature that is Binevenenagh in Stormont on 7th February 2012. G C M S T A I D A N S C H U R C H AONB Binevenagh multi-functional. and its environs. Much of what One of the main functions of emphasis was placed on ‘saying it The newsletter for the Binevenagh AONB VB has achieved also owes a This event provided an opportunity to meet and H B F N Y N Z Y Q O O T U U K D E HEZLETT HOUSE the new Visitor and with flowers’ as baskets and tubs All this has been achieved because considerable debt to the tremendous discuss, with the Directors and the staff, the Trust B I N E V E N A G H B E N O N E S Information Centre is to encourage were set up all round the core of numerous individuals working for encouragement as well as material achievements over the last ten years, but also the E E M Q S F R E D I L G F Y O B U and enable access to Castlerock the village, centring on the railway both official and volunteer bodies and labour support which Toby opportunities and challenges for the Causeway G O Z C A S T L E R O C K Z N B O itself, a village steeped in history station, to such good effect that and numerous organisations have Edwards and his National Trust team Coast and Glens area over the next few years, X T M H R J B C J D N A S J S N H and dominated by both the ruin of the station subsequently gained lent the Project their enthusiastic including the challenge of the economic downturn, have given, mostly in their own time D O W N H I L L S T R A N D A L T LIONS GATE a great house, Downhill Castle, and an award in the Ulster in Bloom support. Rachel Bain, formerly with the prospect of the first Northern Irish National Park, to this project. N X M N A G I L L I G A M S J O T by the majestic cliff and vantage competition. A consignment of top the CCGHT, was one of the first to the need for sustainable development principles, BINEVENAGH point of Binevenagh. Castlerock quality benches and picnic tables, vet and encourage our plans and Several Borough Council M U S S E N D E N T E M P L E U E the rise of the as a Chairman’s itself is currently in the throes of destined mainly for the seaside to provide lots of support as the Staff also deserve accolades in this renowned tourism destination and the continuous H L I O N S G A T E U E J G R G L CASTLEROCK View an ambitious programme - Village areas in the village has arrived and Centre progressed. Now in a new respect, particularly Jenny Sproule need to conserve, enhance and promote our unique H F H X A N P O T L F W L O W H Z Renewal. The funding provided is shortly to be erected. A landscape role with local councils, the same of Collage in . landscape and heritage. L J T Z Y Y N X H Y C L H Z O F E Binevenagh Mountain and by the Regional Development gardener has been hired to tidy- and enthusiast for bio-diversity still finds the area surrounding its The moral at the end of this tale Y D A V A M I L L Q F F M Y L O H DOWNHILL STRAND Programme, under Measure 3.5 plant-up several so far neglected time to lead forays to count our local CCGHT worked with media production students base are redolent with teaches us that close co-operation D M O S G N K B R J R M Z A I Y Z Village Renewal, enabled a Project to areas in the village and a bold basalt moths and bats, to lead groups, and lecturers from the Northern Regional College in history from many ages and between a vibrant community and get off the ground just twelve months stone will soon be figuring as the also of schoolchildren, to hack Ballymoney to produce and deliver a short corporate M Z N C T Z K I N N K U H G C L M one of our long-term tasks bodies both private and public of GLIDER ago,with the simple name of Village centrepiece of a striking village entry away at our all-encroaching sea film to delegates in the Long Gallery. E R B N V D H Z G R F Z E R U E J is certainly to revive and all kinds is the key to success if ST AIDANS CHURCH Beautiful (VB). This Visitor and feature. An art feature, chronicling buckthorn and to lead a project to P E S A N E R A L L E B K C U Y T bring to life for resident and we wish to lift ourselves out of the Information Centre was designed to the most significant aspects of the restore bio-diversity on the Downhill tourist alike, the past ages current economic mire ‘by our serve as the hub for village activity area’s past, will soon grace the wall clifftop. Rachel’s former colleagues when this northerly corner own bootstraps’. in general and so it fulfils this role of the Peter Thompson Hall, as work at CCGHT and equally able new staff of was throbbing for the VB Project also. In 2011 the continues to transform the present are continuing to co-operate with VB, Leap Day Beach with human activity. Clean at Magilligan The natural world is at its finest on Binevenagh Staff from CCGHT, and we must be careful Limavady Borough when opening it up and Council and NIEA providing access to the worked side by side eco-conscious tourist, but on 29th February to equally we must create this undertake an audit access, which is sorely and thorough clean of the beach at Magilligan. needed now. When you are out and about in Binevenagh AONB we would encourage you to follow the 7 principles I am only all too aware that of the Leave No Trace Ireland programme. Leave money is tight – the future No Trace is about our personal responsibility for of this very newsletter GOLD protecting the areas we use for recreation whether itself is under threat, as on land, underground or afloat. I write – but we must in Binevenagh www.leavenotraceireland.org create a vision of progress and sustainability for the present and for the future, or we will be seen to be CCGHT is the lead partner in delivering Photographic Credits: CLIPPER: World Wide Images failing in our task. ÉCONOMUSÉE, or working museum, a Quebec inspired craft BINEVENAGH VISITOR CENTRE? Binevenagh AONB Fact File: 20120224 onEdition 2012© tourism initiative that is being developed in Northern Europe. The views expressed in newsletter articles are those of the Designated: 2006 Michael Jones In Viking times the local villagers will have stood on Binevenagh and to watch the emigrant ships , Limavady, Castlerock and Magilligan with authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the (Formerly North Derry AONB designated in 1966) Chairman Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust. It is the purpose of Area: 14100 ha Binevenagh AONB The project is funded under the Northern Periphery Behind every bottle of Gold Rapeseed Oil is a on what we now call the Gortmore area and been carrying off their kith and kin as they headed out of interpretative signage and thus enable the visitor to this periodical to share a variety of viewpoints. 10 transfixed by the sight of the longships riding out a the Foyle towards the promised refuge of the New understand just what a wonderful area he or she years Management Forum Programme 2007-2013 and includes Greenland, Iceland, wealth of history. The traditions are rooted in the beautiful Population: 5706 Norway, Sweden, The Faroe Islands, countryside around Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural storm on Lough Foyle. A thousand years on, and World. Yes, Gortmore could tell many a tale if asked. was privileged to enjoy on that day. (Estimate based on 2001 census) local farming folk would have paused to watch I’d like to see a cabin built up there, a rough-sawn 2002-2012 and Northern Ireland. Each ECONOMUSEE offers a unique Beauty, and the health benefits, which the oil gives back to Mike Jones For more information on the Binevenagh www.ccght.org Bishop Hervey flying past in his fine coach and and rustic museum, which would stand up boldly on experience, inviting visitors to watch artisans at work, the local people, are greater than anyone of the Kane family AONB visit the Causeway Coast and www.binevenaghaonb.ccght.org learn about the history of their craft and the heritage of the could ever imagine. on his own recently completed Bishop’s Road, the skyline and chronicle the sufferings and the lives Castlerock Community Association Glens Heritage Trust website: traditional skill. heading home to Downhill Castle, standing proudly of those who had to go, so that those who remained www.ccght.org Tweet @ArtisansNI to learn more about the as it still does even in its ruined state today, on could survive to live another day. has been selected as the third artisan to join ÉCONOMUSÉE Project in Northern Ireland, Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust provides a secretariat service for the Binevenagh AONB. its promontory and challenging the Atlantic to do Tilly Molloy’s, 18 Main Street, Armoy, the ÉCONOMUSÉE network in Northern Ireland. Grown, or follow on facebook In short, Binevenagh needs its own imaginative and The trust is grateful for support from the following organisations: its worst. A few decades later the cottages that Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, BT53 8RQ. evocative heritage trail, based on and round the harvested, pressed and bottled on the family farm on through the CCGHT lined this fine highway were destined to fall into immortal Bishop’s Road with its splendid views, the foothills of the Binevenagh Mountain, Broighter Gold facebook page! disrepair as the blight decimated the potato crop T: (028) 2075 2100 F: (028) 2075 2101 second to none in Ireland. We need a striking Rapeseed Oil is one of the healthiest oils on the market. and the people whose lives depended on these E: [email protected] Visitor Centre, well stocked with keen informants same potatoes, too. Now it was the turn of a new The name originates from the hoard of gold unearthed on and good literature about the area and close to Acting Chief Executive Maxime Sizaret generation to halt the shuffle of their weary limbs, the farm in 1896. The gold was handed over to the National the actual summit of the Mountain, from which LPS Manager Sarah Irwin in order to peer across from their vantage point Museum in Dublin where it still resides. cycle and walking paths would radiate out towards Office/Communications Manager Carole O’Kane Administration Officer Tiérna McAlister ISSUE 6 SPRING 2012 AONB Officer Carol Kelly ISSUE 6 SPRING 2012 ABOUT BINEVENAGH

Wetlands and Waders occasionally sighted feeding in the marshlands bordering the lough.’ Binevenagh AONB Management Forum NGO CHALLENGE NATURAL HERITAGE World Wetlands Day was on 2nd FUND PROJECTS February and there is nowhere more Sam Cole, Councillor with Coleraine perfect than the mudflats of Lough Borough Council and RSPB member Who’s Who? The Causeway Coast & Foyle to experience the biodiversity of a spotted in the distance three white Glens Heritage Trust has RAMSAR (wetland) site. and grey gulls feeding off the rich arable flatlands which he identified as Meet the forum been awarded £31,000 Richard Gillen Countryside Recreation the Glaucous Gull, a rare visitor from Officer with Limavady Borough Council Toby Edwards, National Trust under the NGO Challenge Iceland and the Arctic region. Fund to deliver five and Andy Sides from the Loughs Toby Edwards Estate Warden, National Agency hosted a small group of staff Cllr Roy Craig from Larne Borough Trust Downhill Demesne & Hezlett environmental projects in and Directors from the Causeway Coast Council and CCGHT Vice Chairman House, North Coast. the Causeway Coast & & Glens Heritage Trust at the RSPB said: ‘These study trips have been In position since 2007 Toby has Glens area. Three of these reserve in Ballykelly to discuss the organised as part of CCGHT’s ten year integrated himself within the local projects are located within importance of the Lough in terms of celebrations but they are also a very community extending and improving Binevenagh AONB. tourism, agriculture and biodiversity. useful tool for experiencing and learning about sites within the Trust’s remit. relations with the areas communities/ Tom McDonnell from the Rathlin GEOLOGY ROCKS! The Trust organised a similar trip in stakeholders and National Trust. Community Association, a keen wildlife Grazing in Binevenagh AONB November to Gracehill in Ballymena to Having spearheaded the estate photographer and bird spotter pointed The character of the Causeway Coast the heritage trail including, Binevenagh Mountain and experience the built and cultural heritage restorations he has stepped ‘outside CCGHT in conjunction with Limavady out a variety of visiting birds including

the boundaries’ and supports various projects within the AONB such & Glens has its foundations in the Magilligan Point in the Binevenagh AONB. The heritage trail of a Moravian settlement and today we s the Little Egret, Oystercatchers, Borough Council has established a is complemented with a self guide geology booklet which have been very fortunate to experience

as the Village Beautiful renewal in Castlerock. With Downhill Demesne e Whooper Swans and Curlews. underlying rocks that are the result of explains the geological history of these sites and how they the natural heritage of a very important

being such an iconic presence within the AONB the restorations have grazing scheme in the Binevenagh AONB. v g millions of years of the Earth’s history. i have come to shape the landscape we see today. Andy Sides informed the group that: wetland site. We look forward with transformed the estate for the better not just for visiting tourism but local r o t ‘The Little Egret, once an extremely intrigue to the next trip.’ visitors too through working with the estate team to deliver numerous Located within the internationally and conservation of the Benone . Carol Kelly, AONB Officer with the Trust has developed a A rock detectives club to engage schools with the AONB t c rare bird in these parts, has been events for all ages. renowned Magilligan dune system, dunes in line with neighbouring areas h e c c g project which focuses on the geological resource of the landscape has also been developed and the Heritage Trust notable for its size and largely within the wider Magilligan system. R t area including an interactive geology heritage trail which has worked closely with Geological Survey Northern Ireland Discover more on the estate blog @ facebook.com/DownhillNationalTrust o D e unmodified nature, this conservation Grazing is recognised as the most c k will be accessible on the CCGHT website. Approximately and Magilligan Field Centre to develop this. initiative, funded by the NGO effective means of controlling the 20 sites across the Causeway Coast & Glens feature on Robin Ruddock B.Ed. Challenge Fund and Limavady BC, growth of scrub and more rigorous BINEVENAGH 2012 will benefit the great variety of plant species and to help maintain open Born in Carlow, Robin spent his and animal communities supported areas for specialist native floral Peace Camp - A poetic celebration of the languages childhood summers swimming and in this coastal habitat. Two paddocks species. Enhanced access provision and coastline of the UK. 19 - 22 July 2012 Downhill Beach snorkelling in the sea and playing on at Benone will be grazed during the also features in the project, to BUTTERFLY the beaches in Co. Wexford. During Inspired by the Olympic Truce, Peace Two of Britain’s pre-eminent artists winter months, as a means to control encourage public enjoyment of this teacher training at Stranmillis College Camp is a poignant exploration of the - director Deborah Warner, and actor scrub encroachment and will provide coastal landscape. he spent many active summers CONSERVATION great love poetry of our nations and a Fiona Shaw - are collaborating to improved protection, management teaching kayaking at camps in celebration of the extraordinary variety create this major new artwork as part Donegal. He is now married with his and beauty of our coastline. of the London 2012 Festival. own family of four and has spent EU Charter summer holidays wild camping and for exploring the coastline and islands of Sustainable Ireland. Robin is a qualified teacher The Maiden City plans to celebrate the homecoming with a of Physical Education with Biological major festival and welcome boat owners and spectators to Tourism Science and has a wide range of qualifications in adventure sports. Some join in this unique opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the The Causeway Coast and Glens of his other interests include beachcombing, traditional music, Irish and world’s longest race to our shores. destination has been awarded Inuit culture, Celtic Christianity, maritime heritage, the study of cetaceans the European Charter for Derry~Londonderry is one of the 68-foot yachts which and conservation. Sustainable Tourism in Protected have been navigating their way round the world since July Areas. For this award, CCGHT last year. The yachts are raced by people from all walks of coordinated a verification Carol Kelly life, sailors and non-sailors alike, each yacht has 18 crew site visit with a EUROPARC members and a professional skipper. Carol Kelly joined the Causeway consultant, and developed a Coast & Glens Heritage Trust, as The race track is 40,000 miles long and it will take eleven 5 year Sustainable Tourism AONB Officer in June 2011. Her New Walking Trails at Gortmore! months to complete the circumnavigation. There are 15 Strategy and Action Plan 2012- responsibilities in the role include Located within the Binevenagh AONB, with the development of 2 walking trails individual races in total and, just like in Formula 1, points 2017 for the destination. Sarah, co-ordinating and promoting Gortmore Viewing Point is accessed at Gortmore with funding provided for are awarded at the end of each race, building towards a the Sustainable Development the implementation & review from the Bishop’s Road which links trail furniture and trail signage through championship total. Officer, facilitated discussion of the Management Plans for 3 and consultations in order to Limavady & Downhill, a location which the NGO Challenge Fund. The two trails The CCGHT AONB Officer Scrub clearance and site enhancement works have increase awareness of the wide variety of species The adventure started from the UK in August 2011 AONBs in the Causeway Coast & understand the needs of tourism offers some of the finest views that the provide an off road alternative to the taken place at Benone to benefit a range of butterfly in the Causeway Coast & Glens. Sites featuring in Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and crossed the Atlantic Ocean, the South Atlantic, the Glens area. Carol is working on a has been working with businesses, communities, North Coast has to offer. Panoramic Ulster Way and provides additional species including the Common Blue, Six Spot the Binevenagh AONB include Magilligan Nature Southern Ocean, the Java and South China Seas plus the range of initiatives and projects and agencies, and how they views here stretch for miles over recreation opportunities for the public Burnet and the Small Eggar. Conservation Volunteers Reserve, Benone Strand, Downhill Demesne and the In July 2012 Lough Foyle will be mighty Pacific. It visited the Cape of Good Hope and Cape which promote best practice Butterfly Conservation see sustainable tourism in the Lough Foyle, Roe Valley, the to explore the natural landscape of NI were commissioned to carry out the works with Moors Castlerock. Leeuwin – and visited New Zealand for the first time in environmental management across Peninsula and on a fine day some of Binevenagh AONB. NI to deliver a series of the support and guidance of the Local Biodiversity the homecoming stopover on Causeway Coast and Glens. For more information on the Implementation of Clipper’s history. the area. A key area of her work the Scottish islands are visible. Officer, Rachel Bain. The region received the award entails raising the profile of the AONBs in national & regional policy. For more information on the NGO practical conservation AONB Management Plan projects contact the Leg 8 of the 10 of the Clipper For more information please visit: in Germany in September Carol brings her previous experience as a Town & Country Planner Working in partnership with Limavady projects contact the CCGHT AONB projects across the A leaflet featuring the butterflies and moths of the CCGHT AONB Officer. [email protected] Round The World Yacht Race. www.derrycity.gov.uk/clipper & www.ni2012.com. 2011, at the annual EUROPARC to her new role with CCGHT. Borough Council and the National Officer. [email protected] North Coast will be available on the CCGHT website Federation conference. Trust, our AONB Officer has assisted Causeway Coast & Glens. in April 2012, which will seek to educate and

ISSUE 6 SPRING 2012