ACRES West Connacht

18/06/2026

We are delighted to be involved in this initiative with Mayo and Galway Co Councils & the farmers on these islands.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarineCAP Network IrelandGalway County Biodiversity Office Mayo County Council

Galway and Mayo County Councils are encouraging communities to take simple but effective action this summer as part of Invasive Species Week, a national initiative running from June 22 to 28.

12/06/2026

**Public Meeting on the LIFE on Machair and Natura Communities for Birds Projects**

Teagasc "LIFE on Machair" in conjunction with Atlantic West Natura Communities "Natura Communities for Birds" would like to invite you to attend a public meeting next Thursday the 18th of June at 8pm in The Broadhaven Bay Hotel Belmullet.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide a overview of the projects and the opportunities for farmers and landowners to engage with the projects.

The meeting will take place at 8:00 pm on the 18th June 2026 in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel F26 D8N7.

All welcome to attend.

LIFE on Machair Atlantic West Natura Communities Teagasc

10/06/2026

What a find! 🌿
While the ACRES West Connacht Ecology Team has been out surveying woodland habitats and associated flora on CP farmlands, we recently came across this remarkable species growing on a hazel tree: Tree Lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria).
Tree Lungwort is an uncommon lichen, largely because the type of habitat it depends on (very long-established, humid native woodland) has become increasingly rare. Even more excitingly, this appears to be a new record for the locale.
Despite its name, Tree Lungwort isn’t a plant at all. It’s a lichen: a fascinating partnership between a fungus, algae and cyanobacteria living together as one organism.
Finds like this highlight the biodiversity value of woodland habitats on farmland. Many of these woodland fragments are small and often overlooked, but they continue to provide important refuges for wildlife and can support species of significant conservation interest. Thanks to the careful management by farmers within sites like these, these habitats still hold enormous biodiversity potential.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarineCAP Network IrelandBiodiversity Ireland

09/06/2026

Every little unmown strip can provide habitat and food source for a multitude of species.

06/06/2026

As part of a free literary event in Erris next weekend, Farmer & Author John Connell will be speaking on Friday the 12th at 6pm. A great opportunity to hear John speak about his journey with mental health & farming. To find out more about this and other free events been held over the weekend check out Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet
West of Ireland Sheep Farmer's The Erris Journal Bangor Erris Women's Biodiversity Group Bangor Erris Sheep Fair Mayo Public Participation Network - PPN Mayo North EastNorth Mayo Heritage CentreMayo MacraINHFA MAYOErris Agricultural Show

03/06/2026

Great to see the virtual collars in use by one of our farmers in the Ox mountains. The cattle can safely graze the hills and the farmer has peace of mind knowing where his stock are on the hills.
The virtual collars are funded under the Landscape actions in ACRES CP. The next window opens in August so contact your project officer as soon as possible to discuss suitable actions for your farm.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine CAP Network Ireland

29/05/2026

Next up in our spotlight on Women In agriculture is Aoife Mannion, project officer in North Connemara & Erriff
Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarineCAP Network Ireland

27/05/2026

Our team have spent two days on a peatland restoration training course with Emily & Anna from the Crichton Carbon Centre The course focussed on identifying the right action in the right place for restoration of our peatlands. The team are looking forward to sharing all the learnings from the two days with farmers as we meet them to get landscape action plans developed. Many thanks to Emily &Anna for travelling over and sharing their many years of knowledge with us & thanks to the farmers who allowed us to use their sites for the training.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

25/05/2026

📍May and June Pop-Up Clinics

If you wish to discuss any ACRES-related queries such as NPIs, Landscape Actions or ways to improve your commonage score, call into your local clinic to discuss with your Project Officer. No appointment required.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine CAP Network Ireland Galway County Biodiversity Office Teagasc Mayo Teagasc Galway/Clare Newport Mayo Achill Tourism Bangor Erris Women's Biodiversity Group The Erris Journal Mayo Public Participation Network - PPN Whatson Ballinakill - Renvyle, Letterfrack, Kylemore, Moyard. FORUM Connemara CLG Oughterard - General Discussion Board Louisburgh & Killeen Heritage Knockmore Rathduff Resource Centre