Independent City Councillor Terry O’Flaherty has welcomed an innovative new project which will see a small herd of a particular breed of cattle brought in to graze land beside Ballyloughane Beach in an experiment that could enhance the growth of native wildflowers and plants.
“This new exciting project is the brainchild of the new Biodiversity Officer with Galway City Council, Paula Kearney. The staff from the Parks, Recreation and Amenity Departments, are working with Paula on this project. Currently, the Council are fencing off the green area of headland on the left hand side of the beach, which will be used for grazing by eight Dexter cows for the winter and spring months. There is a similar project located in the Burren in County Clare,” she said.
Dexter cows are an Irish breed of small cattle. Because they are smaller, and selective in their grazing, they are very effective at encouraging native wildflowers and plants to establish, according to Ms Kearney.
“Over the coming winter, we will see what impact the cows have on the area they are grazing, in the hope that a diversity of native Irish flora will start to grow, in turn attracting pollinators such as bees, hoverflies, butterflies, moths and other beneficial insects and wildlife such as frogs and hedgehogs.
“The project also invites people to think about where our food comes from, the power we have as consumers, and responsible farming practices,” she added,
Councillor O’Flaherty said that the area surrounding the enclosure where the cows will be grazing would require a number of improvements.
“The walkway is in dire need of repairing and will require upgrading to a higher standard that it is currently in, there are three new seats waiting to be installed and the grass surrounding the enclosure should be better maintained. The bushes and briars that are growing out through the rocks onto the footpath need to be kept trimmed back.”
The pilot project is called Buaile Bó Ballyloughane — a ‘buaile’ is a cattle enclosure, and sometimes referred to as a booley.
The City Council will be hosting one-hour workshops in the coming weeks and again in Spring and is inviting local clubs to get involved in the project.
Councillor O’Flaherty said that the novel conservation grazing trial would be welcomed by both locals and visitors and in particular the local schools and sports clubs.
