Tag Archives: Dr Brendan Dunford

CHANGES to an award-winning scheme that has supported farmers to deliver million of euros worth of conservation measures in the Burren have been branded “an unholy mess”. The Burren Programme incentivises those farming one of the most sensitive landscapes in the country, with payments to promote sustainable agricultural management. Since its inception, the pioneering programme has supported more than 400 local farmers who have delivered at least €33 million worth of landscape and biodiversity improvements. Despite its internationally-recognised achievements, the programme will change radically as of January 1, 2023. From the start of next year, farmers will have to transfer to the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, ACRES Burren Aran, which covers a territory from the Aran Islands to Loughrea in East Galway. It is feared the move will lead to a drop in payments to farmers and decrease incentives for conservation measures.  Burren IFA member, Michael Davoren has sought an urgent meeting with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. “This is an unholy …

More than 100 delegates from across Europe are expected to attend the Burren Winterage School in Corofin over the Bank Holiday weekend. The conference begins on this Thursday and continues to Sunday, October 25. Its focus is on supporting high nature value (HNV) farming in Europe. “More than 100 people are coming from Europe to Corofin for the school. It is a big event for North Clare and Corofin especially. This is our window to the world, in terms of Burren farming. It is an opportunity for the farmers here to show off what they do and to highlight the reasons we have programmes like BurrenLife in the first place,” Dr Brendan Dunford of the BurrenLife programme stated. The Winterage School will hear from farmers from diverse landscapes across Europe and will include a variety of presentations by speakers about how farmers can be supported through better policy, research, funding, innovation, empowerment and networking. “Many of the delegates will stay …

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales explored the rare flowers of the Burren in the company of local farmers, schoolchildren, conservation staff and volunteers this afternoon. During the visit, Prince Charles learned about the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme (FCP), an award-winning agri-environment programme, which is funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He was also introduced to the work of the Burrenbeo Trust, a local charity which co-ordinates a number of community-led education and conservation initiatives. The Prince was welcomed by Dr Brendan Dunford, manager of the Burren FCP Programme, and introduced to some of the unique botanical, geological and archaeological features of the Burren. Prince Charles discussed the farming of the land with his host, Burren FCP farmer, Patrick Nagle, and local farm leader, Michael Davoren. Mr Nagle showed off some of the work he had completed through the Burren FCP – including the …