Bringing together Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust and Truagh Spirit and An Taisce to deliver peatland restoration, invasive species removal and Hen Harrier conservation in County Monaghan.
A major new cross-border nature restoration project is set to deliver significant benefits for Sliabh Beagh, with a strong focus on peatland restoration, invasive species removal and Hen Harrier conservation in County Monaghan. Launched in the Sliabh Beagh Hotel on Friday 5th June, the local work forms part of PEACEPLUS Nature, a wider €20.8 million cross-border conservation programme led by RSPB NI and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The Sliabh Beagh Monaghan work package will deliver large-scale restoration across this important upland landscape, including 608 hectares of peatland restoration, the removal of invasive species across 730 hectares, and focused measures to support Hen Harrier conservation. As one of County Monaghan’s most significant upland areas, Sliabh Beagh is part of a wider cross-border landscape of considerable ecological value, recognised for its blanket bog and for the range of upland species it supports.
The partners delivering the Sliabh Beagh project in Monaghan are Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust and Truagh Spirit, working with An Taisce as the main landowner. The wider PeacePlus Nature programme brings together nine cross-border partners and reflects the importance of cross-border cooperation in managing landscapes such as Sliabh Beagh, where habitats and wildlife extend beyond administrative boundaries.
Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, said: “Monaghan County Council is proud to be involved in this important project for Sliabh Beagh. This significant investment in one of the county’s most valuable landscapes will deliver practical action on peatland restoration, invasive species removal and community engagement, while also supporting the Council’s wider commitment to climate action, biodiversity protection and long-term landscape resilience.”
Cllr. PJ O’Hanlon, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, said: “Sliabh Beagh is a very special landscape, both locally and nationally, and this project is a major opportunity to improve its condition and protect its wildlife for the future. The scale of the restoration work planned in Monaghan will make a meaningful difference to the health of the landscape and the biodiversity it supports.”
Monaghan County Council said it looks forward to working closely with its project partners and local stakeholders over the coming years to deliver this important programme and to secure long-term benefits for Sliabh Beagh, for biodiversity, and for future generations.