NORTHERN Ireland's unique Neolithic landscape is to be conserved and promoted following a lottery grant of £2 million.
It is hoped the funding will help people "step back 10,000 years" and explore the north's rural and isolated landscape during the Neolithic era, a period of time characterised by the beginning of farming, the domestication of animals and the development of pottery and weaving.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded money to the Heart of Ancient Ulster landscape partnership to help protect 144km2 of outstanding Neolithic land as well as reconnecting the local community to our "unique natural, built and cultural heritage".
Initial funding of £85,000 has been given to Mid Ulster, Fermanagh and Omagh district councils to deliver a number of integrated projects across the area over the next five years.
Activities will include the protection and promotion of the landscape’s archaeology, creating the first Dark Sky Reserve in Northern Ireland as well as restoring and maintaining more than 25,000 hectares of blanket and raised bog.
The funding will also help to reduce carbon emissions from the peatland, recruit volunteers to help plant 100,000 native trees and increase access to the landscape by installing more than 10 km of new trails and walks.
Paul Mullan from HLF Northern Ireland said he was delighted that money raised through the lottery would go to helping to protect and conserve the environment.
Mid Ulster District Council also welcomed the "substantial" funding and said it would allow them to consider the plans in greater detail.
