Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
'Upland restoration - the actions and challenges along the way'
Michael Keegan is a sheep farmer farming near Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. He is farming around 130 acres, running upwards of 250 Easycare ewes. As well as that, he also works off-farm on a local estate implementing an extensive environmental management plan. Learning on the job, he now has a vast knowledge of ecosystem restoration, implementing measures such as heather cutting to benefit red grouse and other species, treating the invasive Rhododendron plants in the woodland, bruising bracken, repairing and restoring traditional drystone walls on the estate, manages of deer population, tagging and recording of raptors in conjunction with the NPWS, gathering seeds from native trees and shrubs on the estate for propagation and woodland restoration and gully planting with native trees and shrubs.
Now with a keen interest in proper upland management, he has pivoted his own farming system. He has begun keeping Easycare sheep which can be outwintered, lamb outside and need far less pharmaceuticals, as a consequence. Michael has an ongoing program of tree-planting on the farm including a 'hare's corners' where he has planted native tree species. Michael has reduced his chemical inputs radically and introduced multi-species swards. He plans to convert a Sitka Spruce plantation on his land into a native woodland once it matures. He says ‘I’m much happier with what I’m doing now’.
Thanks to NPWS and DAFM for supporting this event
'Upland restoration - the actions and challenges along the way'
Michael Keegan is a sheep farmer farming near Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. He is farming around 130 acres, running upwards of 250 Easycare ewes. As well as that, he also works off-farm on a local estate implementing an extensive environmental management plan. Learning on the job, he now has a vast knowledge of ecosystem restoration, implementing measures such as heather cutting to benefit red grouse and other species, treating the invasive Rhododendron plants in the woodland, bruising bracken, repairing and restoring traditional drystone walls on the estate, manages of deer population, tagging and recording of raptors in conjunction with the NPWS, gathering seeds from native trees and shrubs on the estate for propagation and woodland restoration and gully planting with native trees and shrubs.
Now with a keen interest in proper upland management, he has pivoted his own farming system. He has begun keeping Easycare sheep which can be outwintered, lamb outside and need far less pharmaceuticals, as a consequence. Michael has an ongoing program of tree-planting on the farm including a 'hare's corners' where he has planted native tree species. Michael has reduced his chemical inputs radically and introduced multi-species swards. He plans to convert a Sitka Spruce plantation on his land into a native woodland once it matures. He says ‘I’m much happier with what I’m doing now’.
Thanks to NPWS and DAFM for supporting this event
