Open Country The Mourne Mountain Fires
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Feb 20, 2026 Sam McConnell, a third-generation hill sheep farmer in the Mourne Mountains, talks about grazing, gorse buildup, and how moorland wildfires threaten livestock and wildlife. He recounts facing fast-spreading burns, contrasts past controlled burning with modern rules, and explores how undergrazing and drier summers worsen fires. Restoration and prevention efforts are also discussed.
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Hill Farming Lifelong Bond And Dog Work
- Sam McConnell describes lifelong hill farming and the role of sheepdogs in managing steep terrain.
- He explains three family dogs and terrain where dogs reach places faster than vehicles, underpinning grazing as key to controlling gorse and fire risk.
Undergrazing Turns Mourns Into A Tinderbox
- Under‑grazing and longer, woody heather create a tinderbox of yellow grass and stemmy heather that rapidly carries fire from small ignitions.
- Sam links declining sheep numbers with increased gorse and combustible fuel across vast hectares, worsening wildfire spread.
Inform The Public To Prevent Careless Ignitions
- Inform landowners and the public about the consequences of fires and the value of habitat communities to reduce careless ignitions.
- Linus and James stress public vigilance around campfires and cigarette disposal to prevent large burns.