Ballyhoura Corridors: Securing our Future Hedgerows

A training and awareness-raising project, supported by the Heritage Council.

Ballyhoura Corridors: Securing our Future Hedgerows is a community-led training and awareness-raising project focused on the preservation, protection, and restoration of native hedgerows across the Ballyhoura region.

Supported by the Heritage Council, this initiative will empower local communities with the knowledge and practical skills needed to protect one of Ireland’s most important and often overlooked natural features - our hedgerows.

Why Hedgerows Matter

Hedgerows are a vital feature of the Ballyhoura landscape, forming living corridors for wildlife, supporting biodiversity, improving soil and water quality, and linking us to our farming heritage. No two hedgerows are the same - each one reflects the unique soil types, land use, and farming practices of its locality.

What the Project Offers

Ballyhoura Corridors is a hands-on project that responds directly to growing community interest in traditional hedgerow management and conservation. Through community engagement, it has become clear there’s a real appetite for hedgerow laying - a traditional land management technique that not only protects the hedgerow’s structure but also supports its ecological health.

The project will consist of the two training days, one in Co Limerick and one in Co Cork. Participants will gain:

• Practical training in traditional hedgerow laying techniques

• Ecological knowledge of local hedgerow biodiversity

• Community support and networking opportunities

• Inspiration to champion hedgerows in their own areas

This training will connect today’s communities with the land management practices of previous generations, helping to ensure that hedgerows continue to thrive for generations to come.

Upcoming Events and Training

The project kicks off during National Heritage Week (16th – 24th August 2025) with a Hedgerow Biodiversity Walk in Coote Hall, Kilmallock:

Hedgerow Biodiversity Walk

Join us on 23rd August 2025 from 11 am - 1:30 pm in Coote Hall, Kilmallock, for a walk that celebrates our biodiversity. More information about the event HeritageWeek.ie.

REGISTER

Hedgerow Laying Training:

Participate in our training days in Cork on 13th September and Limerick on 19th September 2025, where you’ll learn the art of traditional hedgerow laying.

REGISTER

Trees and Shrubs of Ballyhoura’s Hedgerows

Discover the native trees and shrubs of Ireland’s hedgerows, their biodiversity value, traditional uses, and rich folklore.

Download Here

For more information, contact John Scanlan on 063-91734 / [email protected].