The AONB Management Action Plan 2017-2022

March 2017

Outcome 1 We value and enhance our natural environment- Identifying the most appropriate approach to be taken within sensitive landscapes, while aiming to provide a quality visitor experience. Delivers on Shared Horizons NMDDC Biodiversity Strategy Funding NMDDC Community Plan Strategic planning policy statements for NI published in NMDDC Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2015 Draft NI Programme for Government Regional Development Strategy 2035 Framework 2016-2021 Mourne Gullion Lecale Rural Development Strategy NI Biodiversity Strategy National Sustainable Soil Strategy

NMDDC Corporate Plan 2015-2019 All Ireland Pollinator Plan

NMDDC Economic Regeneration and

investment Strategy 2015-2020

part

-

NMDDC Tourism Strategy 2017-2021

None In Objective Action Targets Timeframe Lead Cost (all Secured partner/ targets will Partners need staff time as well as indicated costs) 1. Enhance the 1. Build on 1. Scope possibility of UNESCO Geopark application by 18-19 NMDDC Staff time ✓ geodiversity outputs of 2019 in NMDDC and proceed accordingly RoGP profile within Mourne MHT the AONB Cooley 2. Attend annual UK UNESCO Geopark Forum 17-22 NMDDC £1,500 ✓ Gullion RoGP Geotourism MHT project 3. Develop an interpretation centre at 17-22 RoGP £1,300,000 Forest Park (geological, natural, built and cultural NMDDC ✓ heritage) 4. Develop an augmented reality trail throughout the 17-22 RoGP £120,000 ✓ district (geological, natural, built and cultural heritage) NMDDC 5. Encourage public awareness and enjoyment of 17-22 GSNI £5,000 ✓ geodiversity – host 2 public geology events per annum RoGP 6. Encourage responsible and sustainable practices with 17-18 GSNI Staff time regards to geodiversity. Work with Partners to produce RoGP ✓ a geological code of conduct MHT 2. Enhance 1. Build on the 1. Develop a wildfire monitoring programme, report 17-18 NIEA Staff time ✓ natural work from wildfires to NIEA when they occur NIFRS heritage in the RoGP our Wildfires 2. Represent Ring of Gullion considerations on the 17-22 ROGP Staff time ✓ designated forum Mourne Wildfire Group and the NI Wildfire Group MHT sites 3. Investigate the development of a Slieve Gullion 18-19 ROGP Staff time ✓ controlled burning programme NIEA 4. Development of an educational programme around 18-19 ROGP £10,000 ✓ wildfires and controlled burning for school children 5. Organise and host 1 best practice wildfire workshop in 17-22 ROGP £10,000 ✓ the Ring of Gullion annually NIEA 6. Continue mapping for wildfires- Annual vegetation 17-22 RoGP Not costed monitoring and fixed point photography on at least 1 NIEA ✓ wildfire affected site 7. Identify and provide wildfire and controlled burning 17-22 RoGP £10,000 training available for staff and volunteers. Promote to NIEA ✓ stakeholders MHT NINIFS 8. Work with DAERA and Agriculture Colleges to promote 17-22 ROGP Staff time the best methods of controlling scrub, rushes, bracken DAERA ✓ and managing heather CAFRE 2. Improve 1. Mitigate environmental impacts on upland habitats 16-19 LPS £ 264,350 visitor- through building access route resilience and visitor MHT manageme management. – Implement ASCENT: Interreg RoGP ✓ nt on Slieve Northern Periphery Slieve Gullion Visitor Management Gullion SAC Project including Management plan, strategic path review etc 2. Undertake phase 2 of Slieve Gullion Footpath repair 17-18 LPS £123,000 ✓ RoGP 3. Undertake phase 3 of Slieve Gullion Footpath repair 20-21 RoGP £300,000 ✓ 3. Improve 1. Develop Slieve Gullion SAC Management Plan 17-18 RoGP £10,000 ✓ condition of NIEA Slieve 2. Implement the recommendations from the SAC 18-22 RoGP Not costed Gullion SAC Management Plan, reviewing progress against listed NIEA ✓ actions annually 3. Investigate the possibility of developing a group 17-18 RoGP Staff time scheme under the Environmental Farming Scheme DAERA ✓ (ENIFS) for the Slieve Gullion SAC NIFS 4. Review, 1. Map and assess the requirements to improve the 19-20 RoGP £6,000 ✓ monitor, condition of fenland, starting in designated areas and assess 2. Develop and maintain photographic landscape archive: 17-22 RoGP £1,000 designated Identify locations for and install “X” mounting plates in ✓ sites in the 2017. Commence photography schedule, 4 per Ring of annum, from 2018 onwards. Gullion 3. Review local landscape character assessments within 19-22 NIEA Not costed ✓ AONB the AONB including the landscape analysis 4. Develop a list of research needs and studies which 17-22 RoG Staff time ✓ could be carried out in the Ring of Gullion NIEA 3.Enhance our 1. Improve 1. Cost the recommendations of the Shared Waters 17-20 RoG Staff time priority water Shared Landscape project and expand the project into MGL RDP ✓ habitats and quality in other rivers/ areas in the AONB – proceed accordingly MCC priority the Ring of LCC species Gullion 2. Ensure implementation of action plan for Carlingford 17-22 RoGP Not costed and Local Catchment Management Areas NIEA ✓ Loughs Agency 3. Support and feed into the development of a Dundalk 17-22 RoGP Staff time Bay Catchment Plan/ River Trust MCC LCC ✓ Loughs Agency 4. Investigate river health for Dundalk bay, and 17-18 RoGP Not costed Carlingford Lough and identify any river restoration MCC which could be carried out. Carry out a survey to LCC ✓ identify barriers on the rivers in the AONB Loughs Agency 5. Phase 1 and 2 surveys of the Ring of Gullion rivers, 19-20 RoGP £60,000 lakes and riparian strips - provide outcomes for priority ✓ species and habitats 6. Continue to engage landowners in the AONB to work 17-22 RoGP Staff time towards further improving local land and nutrient ✓ management around the water bodies in the AONB 2. Improve 1. Increase length of hedgerows by 2km per annum and 17-22 RoGP £10,000 woodland provide information on the benefits of hedgerows to WT ✓ and farms OMT woodland NIFS species DAERA resilience 2. Encourage Landowners to take up the grants for 17-22 RoGP Staff time Woodland Creation which includes the Farmer WT Environmental Scheme and the over 5ha Gran OMT ✓ NIFS DAERA 3. Improve the 1. Implement agreed actions from the Ring of Gullion 17-22 RoGP £2500 health of Red Squirrel Conservation Management Action Plan RoG and ✓ red squirrel Cooley and pine RSG marten 2. Provide secretariat duties for the Ring of Gullion Red 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ populations Squirrel Group 3. Support and implement relevant aspects of the Ulster 17-19 RoGP Staff time ✓ Wildlife Trust LIFE/HLF „Red Squirrels United‟ Project 4. Input to Red Squirrel Forum 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ 5. Establish Ring of Gullion as a research hub for Pine 17-22 RoGP Staff time Martens and Red Squirrels CEDaR ✓ QUB 6. Monitor the Pine Marten Nest Boxes in the Ring of 17-22 RoGP Staff time Gullion. Working with neighbouring counties to expand CEDaR ✓ the project QUB 7. Work with local gun clubs to create predator-proof 17/18 RoGP £5,000 pens for the birds and carry out educational QUB programme for famers and fowl owners. The project RoG and will also investigate the relationship between man and Cooley ✓ Pine Marten by identifying and raising awareness on RSG methods to reduce the conflict using nest boxes and AFBI netting to protect poultry and game VWT 8. Develop a project to assess habitat suitability for pine 17/22 RoGP £1,500 martens and investigate habitat management QUB strategies using animal-borne data loggers and VHF RoG and ✓ transmitters to investigate unexplored aspects of pine Cooley marten ecology RSG 9. Implement the recommendations from the 2017 Pine 17/22 RoGP £4,000 Marten Survey – resurvey in 2022 QUB ✓ RoG and Cooley RSG 4. Reduce and 1. Develop and implement a Ring of Gullion Invasive 17-22 RoGP £78,000 manage Alien Species Management Action Plan, reviewing LPS alien progress against listed actions annually. Focusing on 1 ✓ invasive site per year? Working with the Woodland Trust and species Council Biodiversity Officer to improve Daisy Hill Site as a priority 5. Increase 1. Develop opportunities report to improve the 21-22 RoGP £6500 ✓ species biodiversity of the Ring of Gullion records 2. Carry out European Protected Species Recording 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ where possible in the area CEDaR 3. Implement habitat actions from the Newry, Mourne and 17-22 RoGP Staff time Down Biodiversity Action Plan relevant to the Ring of NMDDC ✓ Gullion- Annual implementation programme put in place in April each year and reviewed annually 6. Raise 1. Implement the recommendations from The Old Irish 17-22 RoGP £15,000 awareness Goats of the Ring of Gullion Report, reviewing NIEA of progress against listed actions annually. Continue biodiversity mapping for wild feral goats and set up management ✓ and farming group for the goats in our culture 7. Improve soil 1. Review the National Sustainable Soil Strategy and 17-22 RoGP Staff time health implement any recommendations in the area. Investigate using the soil samples for the Shared Waters- Shared Landscape project to assess the soil ✓ health of Ring of Gullion and provide recommendations to improve the soil health and outcomes for priority species and habitats 2. Investigate the potential of carbon sequestration and RoGP £10,000 storage in the area and carry out a heathland NIEA assessment ✓

4.Increase the 1. Increase 1. Investigate the creation of two new green spaces for 17-18 RoGP ✓ value of our access to public to enjoy their landscape NMDDC natural biodiversity Communit environment y groups Schools 2. Install interpretation and interactive equipment at RoGP £45,000

green spaces 3. Develop one Forest School NINIFSA £5,000

2. Increase 1. Develop and manage a pilot Conservation Volunteer 17-19 LPS £20,000 ✓ community team RoGP participation 2. Develop and manage an Active Lifestyles 19-22 RoGP £160,000 ✓ in caring for Conservation Volunteer team the 3. Continue to deliver the Youth Ranger annual 17-22 RoGP ✓ landscape programme 4. Establish an annual accredited species and habitat 17-22 RoGP mapping and surveying course LPS ✓ CEDaR NIEA 5. Establish and promote an annual survey for species; 17-22 RoGP pine martens, red/grey squirrels, butterflies, bats, owls Butterfly birds (develop and implement bird ringing scheme) Conservati and others on Bug Life ✓ CEDaR BTO NI Raptor Group 6. Respond to relevant opportunities for citizen science 17-22 RoGP Not costed ✓ projects 7. Promote the principles of Leave No Trace through 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ annual workshop 8. Reduce the amount of litter in the Ring of Gullion: 17-22 NMDDC Staff time update litter reporting webpage and investigate roll out RoGP ✓ through NMDDC 9. Develop and implement a site specific Ring of Gullion 17-18 RoGP Staff time action plan for the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015- ✓ 2020 10. Write a Ring of Gullion Land Conservation action plan 18-20 RoGP £15,000 ✓ – proceed accordingly 11. Improve current standards of reporting damage to the 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ countryside NIEA 3. Increase 1. Promote the positive benefits of any environmental 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ the value of farming scheme to farmers – hedgerows, woodlands MHT biodiversity 2. Creation of a farmland habitats sustainability 17-22 RoGP £15,000 within the assessment project. Identify opportunities for farmers MHT ✓ farming to develop as High Nature Value farms community 4. Additional 1. Investigate the feasibility of using the areas wildlife as 17-19 NMDDC Staff time benefits for a tourism experience to include the social and RoGP ✓ natural economic benefits for the people who live work and TNI heritage visit the Ring of Gullion 2. Deliver Natural Heritage projects from the Ring of 17-18 LPS £25,000 ✓ Gullion Landscape Conservation Action Plan

Outcome 2 We value and enhance our historic environment Delivers on Shared Horizons NMDDC Biodiversity Strategy Funding NMDDC Community Plan Strategic planning policy statements for NI published in 2015 NMDDC Local Biodiversity Action Plan Regional Development Strategy 2035 Draft NI Programme for Government Framework Mourne Gullion Lecale Rural Development Strategy

2016-2021 National Sustainable Soil Strategy

NI Biodiversity Strategy All Ireland Pollinator Plan

NMDDC Corporate Plan 2015-2019

part

NMDDC Economic Regeneration and -

None In investment Strategy 2015-2020 Secured NMDDC Tourism Strategy 2017-2021 Objective Action Targets Timeframe Lead Cost partner/ Partners 1. Enhance the 1. Monitor 1. Report damage of scheduled monuments, signs and 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ condition of condition of access to HED DfC HED schedules schedules 2. Survey Slieve Gullion Passage Tomb every five years 18 RoGP £4000 ✓ monument monuments – 2013/18/23 DfC HED 2. Repair 1. Investigate feasibility for clearing passage, and 18-19 RoGP Staff time Slieve chamber floor of Slieve Gullion Passage Tomb to lower DfC HED ✓ Gullion levels and implement any recommendations Passage 2. Investigate feasibility or repairing the chamber roof of 17-18 RoGP Staff time Tomb Slieve Gullion passage tomb to resemble most likely DfC HED ✓ original roof and floor 2. Enhance our 1. Provide 1. Annual teacher training for the Ring of Gullion Schools 17-22 LPS £10,000 ✓ understandin training and Heritage Guidebook. Train 4 teachers per year RoGP g of the events for 2. Develop a programme of traditional countryside skills 17-22 RoGP Not historic people to training – stone walls, metal working, wood working. costed ✓ environment engage with Three events per year our built 3. Continue the schools site programme. Identify funding 18-19 RoGP £24,000 ✓ heritage and secure a second dig site 2. Research 1. Implement the recommendations from the Industrial 17-22 RoGP Not and assess Heritage Strategy of the Ring of Gullion. Review the costed ✓ condition of actions annually our built 2. Survey and map our historic landscape; fill the gaps 17-18 RoGP Not heritage from NIEA/HED survey. (Stone walls, industrial costed ✓ heritage etc) 3. Interpret our 1. Increase the understanding of the O‟Neills Tomb at 17-18 LPS Staff time ✓

built Creggan RoGP heritage 2. Develop a project plan and secure funding for the 18-19 RoGP Staff time development of The Dorsey – a digital story map ✓ project 3. Increase the 1. Record and 1. Keep a digital photographic record of the historic 17-22 ROGPP Staff time value of our monitor the environment; famine houses, Churches etc. Plan to be historic AONB‟s developed ✓ environment built heritage 2. Support 1. Assist Camlough Heritage Group in developing a St 17-19 Camlough £10,000 community Judes CoI action plan Heritage heritage Group ✓ groups in LPS built RoGP heritage 2. Support the community in the development of the Bard 17-19 RoGP, Bard Staff time projects of project recommendations of Armagh ✓ Group 3. Support local heritage groups to deliver their action 17-22 ROGPP Staff time ✓ plans 4. Establish „gateways‟ into the Ring of Gullion ROGPP in 17-19 ROGPP Not ✓ the surrounding villages MGL RDP costed 3. Maintain 1. Keep the grounds around scheduled monuments in 17-22 NIEA Not ✓ access, good condition for visitors costed signage and 2. Keep directional and interpretation signage in good 17-22 NIEA Not ✓ grounds at condition for visitors costed scheduled 3. Assess the needs and opportunities for parking at 18-19 RoGP £5,000 ✓ monuments heritage sites 4. Deliver Built Heritage projects from the Ring of Gullion 17-18 LPS £25,000 ✓

Landscape Conservation Action Plan

Outcome 3 The people that live, work and visit the Ring of Gullion and its communities are involved the areas heritage (cultural heritage) Delivers on Shared Horizons NMDDC Biodiversity Strategy Funding NMDDC Community Plan Strategic planning policy statements for NI published in 2015 NMDDC Local Biodiversity Action Plan Regional Development Strategy 2035 Draft NI Programme for Government Framework Mourne Gullion Lecale Rural Development Strategy

2016-2021 National Sustainable Soil Strategy

NI Biodiversity Strategy All Ireland Pollinator Plan

NMDDC Corporate Plan 2015-2019

part

NMDDC Economic Regeneration and -

None In investment Strategy 2015-2020 Secured NMDDC Tourism Strategy 2017-2021 Objective Action Targets Timeframe Lead Cost partner/ Partners 1. Increase 1. Celebrate 1. Organise and promote the annual Lúnasa Festival and 17-22 LPS £100,000 opportunities the unique provide secretariat duties for the Lúnasa Festival RoGP ✓ for people to heritage Working Group get involved identity of 2. Organise and promote annual the Winter Solstice 17-22 RoGP £25,000 ✓ with our South Festival LPS heritage Armagh 3. Organise and promote the annual Red Squirrel 17-22 RoGP £10,000 ✓ Weekend 4. Organise and promote the annual Literary Festival in 17-22 TiChulainn Not ✓ Mullaghbane (Michael J Murphy Weekend) RoGP costed 5. Identify other opportunities to partner with international 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ and national festivals and themed events 6. Make one experience loan box available per year – 17-22 LPS £1000 available from Newry Museum RoGP ✓ Newry Museum 7. Provide unique opportunities for people to enjoy the 17-22 RoGP £10,000 ✓ AONB 8. Deliver one major international festival in the Ring of 17-22 NMDDC £500,000 ✓ Gullion each year RoGP 2. Investigate 1. Investigate potential project celebrating the culture of 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ and the Goat Men of South Armagh, including developing Old Goat develop storytelling and heritage trails – proceed accordingly Society plans for 2. Develop an action plan to increase community 17-18 RoGP Staff time increased engagement with the AONB with an objective of ✓ opportuniti increasing the groups resilience to change es for local 3. Investigate the potential for a Dark Skies project and 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ communitie community astronomy site s 4. Develop South Armagh as a cultural hub 17-22 TiChulainn Staff time

RoGP 3. Provide 1. Assist local 1. Support Music exchange visits with groups outside of 17-22 LPS/Ring of £7500 ✓ opportunities heritage the Ring of Gullion – growth of the music, oral history, Gullion TAP for local groups in poetry, creative writing community to promoting engage their others with heritage 2. Deliver the Ring of Gullion Ambassador Programme 17-22 RoGP £20,000 ✓

their heritage for twelve participants annually NMDDS 2. Provide 1. Develop action plan to increase social farming 18-20 RoGP Staff time ✓ training for 2. Develop Farm Management and Development Plans 18-22 RoGP Not

local Project costed communitie 3. Support current and potential tour guides to develop 17-22 LPS/ RoGP £40,000 s bespoke tours and activities that reflect and respect ✓ the special qualities of the AONB. Support at least 3 x operators per annum 4. Provide advice for heritage related businesses 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ 5. Develop a training programme to upskill local 17-22 RoGP Not communities to manage and promote the areas costed ✓ heritage 6. Deliver Community Participation and Heritage Skills & 17-18 LPS £55,000 ✓ Training projects from the Ring of Gullion Landscape Conservation Action Plan

Outcome 4 There are improved outdoor recreation opportunities in the Ring of Gullion Delivers on Shared Horizons Shared Waters – Shared Landscape Draft Report Funding NMDDC Community Plan Regional Development Strategy 2035 Draft NI Programme for Government Framework Mourne Gullion Lecale Rural Development Strategy 2016-2021 Ring of Gullion outdoor Recreation Action Plan NMDDC Corporate Plan 2015-2019 Health and Wellbeing 2026 Delivering Together (Department of NMDDC Economic Regeneration and Health, 2016) investment Strategy 2015-2020 A Fitter Future for All - Framework for Preventing and NMDDC Tourism Strategy 2017-2021 Addressing Overweight and Obesity in Northern Ireland

Draft Tourism Strategy to 2020 (DETI, 2012) (Department of Health, 2012-2022)

A Strategy to improve the lives of people with Our Great Outdoors – The Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for

disabilities 2012 – 2015 (OFMDFM) Northern Ireland (Sport NI, Tourism NI and DCAL Inland

part

Newry, Mourne and Down Draft Play Strategy Waterways, 2013) -

None In 2017 – 2022 (2016) Exercise, Explore, Enjoy – A Strategic Plan for Greenways Secured Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Sports (Department for Infrastructure, 2016) Facility Strategy (2017) Sports Matters: Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation Camlough Lake Masterplan (2011) 2009 -2019 (Sport NI) Slieve Gullion Forest Park Masterplan (Ongoing) A Bicycle Strategy for Northern Ireland, Department for Village Renewal and Development Plans Infrastructure, August 2015 Objective Action Targets Timeframe Lead Cost partner/ Partners 1. Improve 1. Provide 1. Sit on the Derrymore Estate Working Group; advise 17-19 LPS Staff time ✓ access to better and guide the development Plan for the Derrymore NMDDC green spaces quality Estate RoGP and the green NT countryside spaces 2. Deliver the Derrymore Estate Development Plan – trail 17-19 LPS £450,000 ✓ network, natural play, car parking, toilets NMDDC RoGP NT 3. Support the community to develop and manage the 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ woods in Jonesborough Community Groups 4. Support the community to develop and manage the 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ Glassdruman Woods Community Group 5. Investigate the development of a walk around the 20-21 RoGP Staff time ✓ Cashel Lough 6. Identify opportunities for new trails and multi-use sites 17-19 RoGP Staff time ✓ SportNI 7. Apply for Slieve Gullion Forest Park Green Flag 17-22 NMDDC £4000 ✓ annually RoGP 8. Provide natural heritage focused access opportunities 17-21 NMDDC Not ✓ at Forkill Barracks site RoGP costed FADA 2. Provide 1. Investigate the re-instatment of the to 18-19 RoGP £30,000 ✓ better Mullaghbane River Walk quality 2. Creation of a Camlough and River Walk 17-18 LPS £75,000 ✓ access to 3. Assess existing and potential tourism development 17-18 NMDDC £10,000 ✓ green opportunities available for forest parks spaces 4. Lobby Ulsterbus to provide stops at recreation sites 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ NMDDC 5. NMDDC to produce Access to the Countryside Policy 17-22 NMDDC Not ✓ and Procedures and implement recommendations RoGP costed 3. Develop 1. Work with the Rights of Way Officer to investigate for 17-19 LPS Not ✓ medium walking trail around the shore of Camlough Lake – full RoGP costed and long EIA will be carried out distance 2. Work with the Rights of Way Officer to investigate the 17-22 LPS £220,000 ✓ routes development of a Ring Dyke Permissive Path Way RoGP 3. Investigate the development of Lough Ross as outlined 20-22 NMDDC Not ✓ under the Village Plan costed 4. Develop Slieve Gullion Running Trails 17-18 LPS £5,000 ✓ RoGP 4. Provide 1. Deliver recommendations from the South Armagh 17-19 LPS ✓ infrastructur Signage Survey 2016 RoGP e at green 2. Investigate the re-instating of the car park and walk to 19-20 RoGP £30,000 ✓ spaces the Creggan Glen NMDDC 3. Re-survey, audit and provide recommendations for 21-22 RoGP £5,000 ✓ signage. First survey carried out in 2016 5. Promote 1. Annual audit of all council-maintained outdoor 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ and recreation facilities (inc PROW) and quality trails NMDDC maintain ORNI access to 2. Maintain all council-maintained outdoor recreation 17-22 RoGP Not ✓ the facilities and quality trails – including all countryside NMDDC costed countryside furniture and interpretation network

2. Increase 1. Implement 1. Implement the recommendations from the Outdoor 17-19 LPS Not ✓ range of the action Recreation Strategy of the Ring of Gullion. Review the RoGP costed outdoor plans actions annually recreation developed 2. Implement the Slieve Gullion Forest Park Master Plan 17-22 NMDDC Not ✓ opportunities during the RoGP costed previous 3. Implement Camlough Lake Master Plan 17-22 NMDDC Not ✓ AONB RoGP costed Action Plan 4. Create orienteering maps for the Ring of Gullion; 18-19 RoGP £10,000 ✓ Slieve Gullion, Camlough Mountain; Derrymore Estate Sport NI 2. Investigate 1. Investigate alternative uses for quarry sites for 17-19 RoGP Staff time ✓ potential recreation, biodiversity and geodiversity awareness new value outdoor 2. Assess feasibility of signed driving route through South 18-19 RoGP £10,000 ✓ recreation Armagh; St Patricks Trail circular loops; ancient routes NMDDC plans from Connemara, Armagh etc 3. Encourage 1. Encourage the development of Open Water Swimming 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ participation in the area Camlough in outdoor Lake Water recreation Festival 2. Encourage the development of Angling Sector in the 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ area

3. Have a 1. Increase 1. Get Active 2020 - Identify opportunities and develop 17-18 RoG £8,000 ✓ happy active participation action plan to increase participation levels in low SportNI and healthy levels in participation groups etc NMDDC community outdoor 2. Organise a Get Outdoors weekend annually 17-22 RoGP £25,000 ✓ recreation 3. Increase the use of NMDDC facilities for recreation 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ NMDDC 4. Participate in the South Armagh Outdoor Recreation 17-22 SportNI Staff time ✓ Forum RoGP 5. Collect data on user numbers using the Ring of Gullion 17-22 NMDDC Not ✓ Way and other Rights of Way in the area costed 6. Increase the use of Green prescriptions 17-22 RoGP Staff time DoH ✓ NIEL 7. Identify opportunities for all access outdoor recreation; RoGP Staff time ✓ angling; bouldering/climbing; canyoning; orienteering; horse riding; fell running etc

8. Deliver Access and Learning projects from the Ring of 17-18 LPS £27,000 ✓ Gullion Landscape Conservation Action Plan

Outcome 5 Managing the Ring of Gullion AONB to produce positive outcomes for heritage, people and communities Delivers on Shared Horizons NMDDC Biodiversity Strategy Funding NMDDC Community Plan Strategic planning policy statements for NI published in 2015 NMDDC Local Biodiversity Action Plan Regional Development Strategy 2035 Draft NI Programme for Government Framework Mourne Gullion Lecale Rural Development Strategy

2016-2021 National Sustainable Soil Strategy

NI Biodiversity Strategy All Ireland Pollinator Plan

NMDDC Corporate Plan 2015-2019

part

NMDDC Economic Regeneration and -

None In investment Strategy 2015-2020 Secured NMDDC Tourism Strategy 2017-2021 Objective Action Targets Timeframe Lead Cost partner/ Partners 1. Manage the 1. Secure 1. Investigate the boundary of the Ring of Gullion 17-22 NIEA Ring of funding to ROGPP for expansion; investigate the inclusion of the RoGP ✓ Gullion implement rest of South Armagh into a designation (geopark, NMDDC AONB the AONB biosphere etc) effectively Action Plan 2. Secure funding for staff and overheads 17-22 NIEA Staff time RoGP ✓ NMDDC 3. Identify funding opportunities and submit applications 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ for project costs 2. Manage 1. Organise quarterly Board meetings, and quarterly 17-22 RoGP Staff time the Action steering group (NMDDC,NIEA,ROGPP) meetings to ✓ Plan‟s coincide with grant claims implement 2. Establish a new terms of reference for the Ring of 17-18 RoGP Staff time ✓ ation in Gullion Board and manage Board in agreement with NMDDC engaged, these ToR open and 3. Develop strategic partnerships with SLLP and MHT to 17-18 RoGP Staff time ✓ transparent deliver AONB Management Action Plans SLLP way MHT 4. Secure a 1. Strategically set the AONB bodies within NMDDC 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ legacy for 2. Evaluate the Ring of Gullion Management Action plan 17 - 22 RoGP Staff time ✓ any Delivery. Quarterly progress reporting, annual reviews, NIEA outcomes midterm and completion evaluation reports for this 3. Collect data from people counters, and carry out 17-22 NMDDC Not ✓ plan and regular visitor surveys RoGP costed improve 4. Develop Ring of Gullion Management Action Plan 21-22 RoGP Staff time ✓

future 2023-2027 NIEA plans 5. Implement the recommendations from the Ring of 17-22 RoGP Not ✓ Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme Mid-Term NMDDC costed Evaluation 2016 2. Knowledge 1. Strategicall 1. Participate in NIPAN, LPS Managers Forum and other 17-22 RoGP Staff time sharing, and y network relevant Networking Forums eg ROGPP, Land ✓ networking with Management, Outdoor Recreation, Designated Sites, with other relevant Community Participation Forums, consultations etc relevant bodies 2. Feed into local and national policies and strategies 17-22 RoGP ✓ bodies 3. Encourage participation in community consultations 17-22 RoGP ✓ that affect the RoGP 4. Investigate participating in NAAONB – proceed 17-18 RoGP ✓ accordingly 2. Inform 1. Support community projects that meet the objectives 17-22 RoGP ✓ relevant and outcomes of the ROGPP Management Action individuals Plan and groups 2. Hold annual conference/forum on the work of the Ring 22 RoGP Staff time ✓ about the of Gullion Partnership Ring of 3. Hold annual meeting covering all outcomes: Natural 17-22 RoGP Staff time Gullion and and built heritage, outdoor recreation, people and ✓ AONBs communities 4. Produce three presentations per year 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ LPS NMDDC 3. Positively 1. Develop 1. Distribute Ring of Gullion brochures to relevant outlets 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ and and LPS effectively distribute NMDDC promote the soft and 2. Produce tri-annual newsletter and send monthly email 17-22 RoGP £22,500 ✓ Ring of hard copy shot Gullion promotiona 3. Promote and market outdoor events, facilities, training 17-22 RoGP Not ✓ AONB l material etc through publications, social media and website costed 4. Produce updated materials as and when required 17-22 RoGP Not ✓ costed 5. All new publications and media will comply to NMDDC 17-22 RoGP Not ✓ Bi-lingual policy NMDDC costed 3. Inform 1. Continue to grow the Ring of Gullion website to meet 17-22 RoGP £6,000 ✓ general the needs of the ROGPP Management Action Plan. NMDDC public Provide a gateway on NMDDC website to the three about the AONBs websites Ring of 2. PR and marketing – Issue regular press releases for 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ Gullion and project initiation, mid-term and project completion LPS AONBs NMDDC 3. Develop and increase the range of the “Ring of 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ Gullion” brand and provide guidance for partners to NMDDC use 4. Engage the 1. Run an annual photography competition and produce 17-22 RoGP £10,000 ✓ general a publication NMDDC public in 2. Engage with users on social media platforms and 17-22 RoGP Staff time ✓ sharing encourage sharing of images, videos, reviews and information experiences – YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, about the TripAdviser, Pinterest area

Glossary

ROGP Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty GSNI Geological Survey Northern Ireland Partnership LPS Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme NIFRS Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service NMDDC Newry, Mourne and Down District Council DAERA Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs NIEA Northern Ireland Environment Agency CAFRE College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NIFS Northern Ireland Forest Service MHT Mourne Heritage Trust MCC Monaghan County Council SLLP Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership LCC Louth County Council WT Woodland Trust OMT One Million Trees in a Day CEDaR Centre for Environmental Data and Recording QUB Queens University AFBI Agri-food and bioscience institute VWT Vincent Wildlife Trust NIFSA Northern Ireland Forest Schools Association BTO British Turst for Ornithology TNI Tourism Northern Ireland DfC HED Department for Communities Historic Environment Division RoG TAP Ring of Gullion Traditional Arts Partnership MGL RDP Mourne, Gullion, Lecale Rural Development Programme DoH Department of Health ORNI Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland RoG and Ring of Gullion and Cooley Red Squirrel Group NIEL Northern Ireland Environment Link Cooley RSG NT National Trust

Appendices

1. Slieve Gullion SAC Action Plan 2. Ring of Gullion Alien Invasive Species Action Plan 3. Ring of Gullion Outdoor Recreation Action Plan 4. Ring of Gullion Industrial Heritage Action Plan 5. Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme Mid-Term Evaluation 2016 6. ASCENT Project Plan 7. Shared Waters – Shared Landscape 8. Ring of Gullion and Cooley Red Squirrel Conservation Management Action Plan 9. Pine Marten Survey 2022 10. South Armagh Signage Survey 2016 11. Slieve Gullion Forest Park Master Plan