An Evening Picnic at Slieve Gullion

Why not join the Ring of Gullion team and Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland for a picnic with a difference on Friday 11th September at 8.00pm in Slieve Gullion Forest Park? There will be a chance to watch and listen for bats and moths in this brilliant venue for wildlife! 

Catherine Bertrand, Senior Regional Officer for Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland will be the moth and bath expert, who will provide a short talk on both, in Slieve Gullion Forest Park’s walled garden. This event is part of Moth Night 2015, the annual celebration of moths and moth recording, which takes place on three days and nights, 10-12 September. 

Councillor Naomi Bailie, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said, “We are delighted to provide everyone with a chance to learn more about creatures who make themselves busy during night-time hours in the Ring of Gullion.”


Cllr Bailie added “There will a short walk in the woodlands to search for the elusive bat with special bat monitors and at the same time we will try and lure the bat's prey - moths, into special moth traps.”

There will be some moth traps available to families on the night to take home and try out in their own garden. People are being asked to return these the next morning to Slieve Gullion, to uncover what was found during the night! 

 It's a great chance for all the family to have a close encounter with wildlife! Booking is essential and if you are coming along to join in, please bring sturdy footwear, a small picnic, warm clothing and a torch.

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 the website www.ringofgullion.org or call into the office in Crossmaglen Community Centre, O'Fiaich Square, Crossmaglen, BT35 9AA Tel:-(028) 3082 8590. 

Moth Nights is a national weekend organised by Atropos and Butterfly Conservation, in association with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the wonderful world of moths. Enthusiasts across Northern Ireland will be lighting their lamps and recording moths.