News and Stories Stories An Taisce members visit Sliabh Beagh — one of the best blanket bog habitats in Ireland The visit On June 17th and 18th, a group of An Taisce members (see photo below) visited the Sliabh Beagh property. It was bequeathed to An Taisce by Lord Paddy Rossmore and it consists of more than 2,000 acres straddling the border between Monaghan, Tyrone and Fermanagh. The NEC's chair, Anny Wise, organised the visit, with major assistance from Ian Lumley, who was instrumental in arranging the original bequest and has been seeking to develop local contacts over recent years. Most of the visitors stayed at the Sliabh Beagh Hotel, the only community-operated hotel in the country. We met with a range of local people committed to enhancing the biodiversity of Sliabh Beagh and ensuring its future as a nature reserve and a recreational resource for the people of the Border region and beyond. — An Taisce President, Philip Kearney Photo credits: Peter Wise Details of the area It comprises the unenclosed upland heathland area of Sliabh Beagh, which is the highest point in Monaghan and designated as a European Natura 2000 site for its ecological value on both sides of the border. Notably, the site supports one of the best blanket bog habitats in Ireland as well highly protected bird species such as the Hen Harrier. Heathers, bog asphodel, bilberry, bog cotton and a range of mosses can be found throughout the site. This rich heathland habitat also supports red grouse, hares, rabbits, buzzards, Golden Plover, and skylarks, among others. The lands form part of the Sliabh Beagh Special Protection Area (SPA), an EU-designated site for the protection of Hen Harrier. The lands are also designated as a Natural Heritage Area under the Wildlife Act 1976. The site is currently part of the EU-funded Collaborative Action for Natura Networks and the Department of Agriculture funded Hen Harrier conservation programme. Manage Cookie Preferences