Ballyhoura Development CLG is proud to announce that it has been awarded grant under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme from the Heritage Council for a new community-led initiative: Ballyhoura Corridors: Securing Our Future Hedgerows.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of the important ecological role that hedgerows play in supporting biodiversity, wildlife corridors, and sustainable land management in rural Ireland. The project focuses on both the protection and rejuvenation of hedgerows, which are a key feature of Ireland’s cultural and environmental landscape.
At the core of the project are two hands-on workshops that will provide beginner-level training in the traditional skill of hedge laying. This method helps restore and strengthen hedgerows, making them stock-proof and promoting their long-term health and growth.
“Hedge laying is not only a practical conservation tool but also a cultural heritage skill that connects us with generations past,” said John Scanlan, project lead at Ballyhoura Development CLG. “Through these workshops, we hope to empower participants to play an active role in protecting biodiversity and the environment.”
The project officially kicks off during National Heritage Week (August 16th-24th) with a Hedgerow Biodiversity Walk taking place on Saturday, 23rd August from 11am to 1.30pm at Coote Hall, Kilmallock. This guided walk will highlight the rich biodiversity supported by native hedgerows.
The Ballyhoura Corridors project reflects Ballyhoura Development’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development, rural resilience and local heritage conservation. The support from the Heritage Council enables this valuable work to be carried out at a community level, securing the environmental legacy of hedgerows for future generations.
Find out more about the initiative at www.ballyhouradevelopment.com
