Farmers Information Events - Learn how to Grow in the Ring of Gullion

The Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme and AONB team are providing local farmers, hoping to grow their business, with the tools to develop their business. In November there will be a number of Farmers Information Events which will cover a range of topics.
The first talk will be by the Woodland Trust on Tuesday 3 November in Mullaghbawn Community Centre and will cover how landowners with 5ha or more can accessing funding to create a native woodland while also retaining their Basic Farm Payment for 30 years. The funding will also cover 100% of the establishment costs including trees, planting and maintenance for a number of years. This event will start at 7pm so get in early to get your seat!

With next year being Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink, the Ring of Gullion team have organised a fact finding trip to Brehon Brewery, just outside Inniskeen in Co Monaghan. The trip will offer a tour to see the brewing process in action and an opportunity to question the Phil the brewer. This trip will especially appeal to famers wanting ideas to make use of disused buildings, as the brewery is set up on a working dairy farm. A coach will be leaving Crossmalgen Community Centre at 2pm on Thursday 18 November. Booking is essential as seats on the bus are limited.
The craft beer revolution is currently sweeping the UK and Ireland, with people happy to spend a little extra for a beer that has been hand crafted and locally made. The number of small independent breweries in Northern Ireland has tripled in the past decade. The Irish pub is an important element in the visitor experience and the increasing retailing of craft beer in pubs is serving to enhance the tourism offer. Food festivals are also an important vehicle through which tourists gain access to Irish food and drink culture. As the craft beer offer in Ireland develops, the potential for specific “craft beer tourism” will increase.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Naomi Bailie said, “The events are designed to be both informative and practical. We hope to give landowners alternative business ideas for using their land and property. Other important sessions will be focusing on business planning and dealing with the problem of rushes in fields.”
Cllr Bailie added, “Key to the success of this series of talks is the close partnership with Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise, Woodland Trust and Newry Enterprise Centre. These events are open to all and include tea, coffee and biscuits. To make sure we have enough, please let the scheme know you are coming. Register on (028) 3082 8590 or info@ringofgullion.org or visit www.ringofgullion.org and click on Events.”

Follow the Ring of Gullion on Facebook to keep up-to-date on what’s happening or visit our website on www.ringofgullion.org . The Ring of Gullion has moved to new offices Crossmaglen Community Centre, O'Fiaich Square, Crossmaglen, BT35 9AA, telephone: 028 3082 8590.

These talks are free and supported by Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership and the Heritage Lottery Fund.