2024
2024
Community Work
In early 2024, our Communities team actively engaged a diverse range of audiences and partners through the Divis-A View to the Future Project. Participants of all ages have participated in various activities inspired by the natural landscape, including well-being walks, nature activities, educational talks, storytelling sessions, and conservation efforts. Notable annual events include the Festival of Archaeology, Fungi Foray, and seasonally-inspired community festivals, fostering a deeper connection to nature and promoting community involvement.
The team have recently completed a successful project with a neurodiverse group from the Yeha Creative Youth Project. The output of this is an amazing stained-glass window piece which we plan to install in the completed Bothy or Exhibition space at Divis.
Hedge Laying
Hedge laying has commenced at Robin’s Well on Divis Mountain, involving the restoration of an old, predominantly hawthorn hedge, estimated to be over 75 years old. Using the Hopper method, the hedge's age was roughly measured, and the process, which includes bending and partially cutting the stems (pleaching), will take several seasons to complete. This traditional technique, though less common in Ireland, aims to rejuvenate the hedge by promoting horizontal growth, essential for maintaining the habitat and aesthetic appeal.
In addition to hedge laying, new hawthorn plants are being introduced to connect and support the existing structure, marking the first new planting in fifty years. This combined effort will create a rejuvenated hedgerow along the Ballygomartin hillside pathway, providing a new habitat for various wildlife, including mammals, birds, insects, and fungi. The practice of hedge laying, traditionally used to contain animals, is now primarily focused on habitat preservation and landscape enhancement.
Weather Stations
The installation of the weather station at Divis and the Black Mountain will play a crucial role in supporting peatland restoration efforts. Accurate and continuous monitoring of climatic conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed, will provide essential data to inform and guide restoration strategies. By understanding the local microclimate, conservationists can better assess the health and hydrology of the peatland, ensuring that restoration activities are appropriately timed and targeted. The weather station will also help in predicting and mitigating potential threats, such as droughts or excessive rainfall, which can impact peatland stability and growth. Furthermore, the collected data will contribute to long-term climate studies, enhancing our understanding of the interaction between peatlands and climate change. Ultimately, the weather station will enable more effective management and protection of this vital ecosystem, promoting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The weather station was kindly funded by DAERA.
Community Consultation events
Three consultation events were held between April and May 2024, in key areas of the land which sought to review the proposed improvement works to enhance the visitor experience at Divis and Black mountain.
Completion of Historic Landscape Survey
National Trust commissioned Historic Landscape Survey and Archaeological Condition Survey of the Ballygomartin Lands will seek to establish a definitive, comprehensive, and well-researched understanding of the landscape’s evolution, from the earliest periods of human activity to the present day. An archaeological condition survey will assess the current condition of the archaeological resource, to establish a baseline for future archaeological monitoring and to make recommendations for practical conservation management. The onsite works have all been completed and we are expecting the final report this month.
Installation of Flumes and Hydrology Study
Flumes are being installed in 3 areas of Divis and Black Mountain from 16th July to measure water flow and quality which will inform the Peatland Restoration Plan. Peatland Restoration works are due to commence in Autumn 2025. This work relates to the planned Peatland Restoration Project at Divis and Black Mountain and will provide Hydrological data over the next year which will inform the Peatland Restoration Plans for the site.
Check out our video on the flume installation process and what it means to the mountain: Divis & The Black Mountain: Flume Installation (youtube.com)
Planning Permission Submitted
The full Planning Application covering all project components was submitted on 22nd August 2024.
