Red Squirrel Fun and Games at Slieve Gullion

Red Squirrel Fun and Games at Slieve Gullion

Red Squirrel Week is fast approaching and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Ring of Gullion and Cooley Red Squirrel Group have joined forces to offer a wild day out at Slieve Gullion Forest Park on Saturday 8 October from 1pm to 4pm,

Come along to this free event to learn more about our native red squirrels. Book a session between 1pm and 4pm to create your own Red Squirrel piece of art, thanks to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht's 2016 Co-operation with Northern Ireland funding scheme.

The group have joined up with South Armagh based group ROGHA and artists Caoilfionn Murphy O'Hanlon, Tracey McVerry, and Mary Cowan to provide craft workshops throughout the day.

All crafts created on the day will be exhibited at the second All-Ireland Pine Marten Symposium in Ti Chulainn Community and Conference Centre on 14 and 15 October, which the group, Vincent Wildlife Trust and the Ring of Gullion team are organising.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick explains, “Weather depending, the public can take part in our guided Red Squirrel Trail. The trail takes the public on a journey of the red squirrels natural habitat.  We will also have Dr David Tosh providing talks on squirrels and how they interact with pine martens”.

Councillor Fitzpatrick added “We will also be trying to encourage more people to report their sightings of red and grey squirrels to enable the group to pinpoint where action is needed. This can include setting up new feeding stations for red squirrels or setting traps for grey squirrels. We are always looking for more volunteers to help.”

The Red Squirrel Group hope this event will help people understand more about the red squirrel’s habitat and behaviour, why they’re in danger, and to get involved in efforts to protect them. Ulster Wildlife will also be present to talk about their new squirrel project. 

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

To book your place visit www.ringofgullion.org, call 028 3082 8590  or visit the office at Crossmaglen Community Centre.