Herd heroes

Anna Ellis

A SMALL herd of traditional cattle will be helping to bring wildlife back to Northern Ireland’s highest peaks following a devastat­ ing fire two years ago.

In April 2021, flames ravaged 720 acres of land in the Mourne Mountains in what was to be one of the biggest fires of its kind recorded in Northern Ireland.

An area once brimming with flora and fauna was scorched, vegetation destroyed, and species diversity reduced.

Since then, the National Trust, which cares for much of the area, has been trialling different methods to rejuvenate the land and bring it back to full health for the plants and animals that live there.

The area is a Site of Spe­ cial Scientific Interest and home to beloved animals including the Irish hare, and rare plants like the pale butterwort and starry saxifrage.

Now, the charity is working in partnership with its tenant farmer to add a herd of Luing cattle to its restoration efforts. The