Sliabh Beagh
Biological Report | Sights and Sounds of Sliabh Beagh
An Ecological Survey of the Slieve Beagh/Eshbrack Bog area, County Monaghan
This work has been undertaken under the Heritage Council grant award WLD/2002/8 to the Truagh Development Association.
The principal aims are habitat mapping and ecological characterisation of an area around Slieve Beagh. This is in response to a local perception that habitat management is required on and around the Slieve Beagh area in order to maintain or restore its wildlife interest, and to promote the sustainable use of the site. The ecological baseline survey is intended to provide baseline data to support a conservation led management plan.
Approach
The main effort is focused on the production of a ‘Phase 1’ Habitat map of ± 20 km2 of land above 200m using the Heritage Council’s Habitat classification scheme. This done by a combination of extensive fieldwork, and the use of available aerial photography.
The Heritage Council’s classification is necessarily of broad habitat categories, so by combining data collected in the field, with that already available in the archives, a more precise account is made of the botany and function of each of the mapped habitat units.
In addition, the Phase 1 approach is extended by including a description and assessment of the bird life in the extensive area and which habitats are important in maintaining the bird interest, and notes on the potential value of the site to other animal groups.
Areas of particular natural history interest are described in more detail.
The international border with Northern Ireland crosses Slieve Beagh, but as this survey is Heritage Council funded, it includes only the Co. Monaghan side.
Report Contents
- Introduction
- Approach
- The Physical Environment
- Geomorphology
- Land-use
- Natural History Overview
- Vegetation
- Birds
- Other Fauna
- Pressures on the Natural Environment
- Peat Extraction
- Heather Beetle
- Forestry
- Burning
- Agricultural Intensification
- Climate Change
- Other Activities
- Protection of Sliabh Beagh
- Conservation Management
- Objectives
- Management Structures
- Management Techniques
Click here to download An Ecological Survey of the Slieve Beagh/Eshbrack Bog area in County Monaghan.
The Mountain of Sliabh Beagh
“Peter Keenan’s Poem, The Mountain of Sliabh Beagh offers a brilliant image of the diversity of the wildlife and heritage on the mountain. The poet is a local man born and reared on the slopes of Sliabh Beagh. In literary terms his poem is probably the definitive guide to the mountain.”
The Mountain of Sliabh Beagh
The curling smoke from a “fum Turf” fire, it stains the sky of blue,
Where a mountain man cuts one turf deep on the face of Altnacanoo,
Over “Carraig Glass” the sweet skylark sings out a merry song,
While Will-o-the wisp, curls over the heath-the dragonfly is gone.
A harrier hovers over Keenan’s hill while away across the bog,
The wild red grouse calls out “go back”, over Eshclougfin there’s fog.
Rom “Leac an Taggart” go “Poll na Scal” the golden plover flies,
Round “Loch na Heeragh” the wild duck sweep and the small trout gently rise,
Over dark Glenvan the curlews call; to the north a purple haze,
Near Johnny’s well by the dark brown stream, the sheep and cattle graze,
Eishbrack serene, that holds the cross where the priest was shot by yeos,
Rom Toneyday to Pepper’s hollow the cuckoo’s voice echoes,
While fast across the heather tops the darting swift propels.
The wild hare hops across the moor, the beagle cries behind,
Eishmore looms high above it all, bedecked with spruce and pine,
On a moss-clad swamp behind the lake, a moorhen shy is wadin’,
While a bumblebee drones through the air with heather honey laden.
These sights I see, these sounds I hear on the Mountain of Sliabh Beagh.
It’s evening late and a gentle breeze across Lough Bhraden blows,
While homeward bound to distant nests fly flock of noisy crows,
The cuckoo’s song is silent now-the hen harrier has gone to bed,
The grouse calls out a last “go back”, the beagle cry is dead.
A bats appear like ugly specks upon a golden sky.
A distant bark from a cranky dog, a woodcock whistles by.
And hare sneaks back to a quiet den, the curlew’s call subsides,
And all return to mother earth, all to different hides,
I stand and gaze on this grand domain with awe and deep concern;
The heather bell, bogcotton white, sundew, and trembling fern,
The smallest midge, the red moneog, the hue across the land;
My thanks to him for a chance to see the splendour of his hand.
These gems of nature, the simple things and I only hope and pray,
That these sights and sounds man will preserve on the Mountain of Sliabh Beagh.
