Slieve Beagh Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Extensive area of rolling hills deeply dissected by long river valleys and bounded by a prominent escarpment on the south; the massive rounded summit of Slieve Beagh is dominant.
• Many small farms are derelict or used for extensive grazing and there is a transition to upland blanket bog, scrub and wet grassland.
• Forestry is a major land use. Fragmented plantations with open spaces, different age groups and broadleaved species.
• Traditional housing is modest in scale, although many houses are abandoned; new houses have roadside locations nearer towns.
• Panoramic views over adjacent lowlands.

Landscape Description

Between Fivemiletown and Rosslea there is an extensive area of rolling sandstone uplands, rising to the rounded summit of Slieve Beagh (380m). To the south of the summit, there is a prominent escarpment of Upper Limestone capped by gritstone, which outcrops below the sandstone.

The northern edge of the uplands has a broken surface, with flat-topped hills and rounded ridges separated by deep valleys and punctuated by attractive small rounded lakes. The southern escarpment comprises a long line of hills and summits which command tremendous views of the lowlands, for example at Carnrock viewpoint. Steep, south facing slopes are interrupted by small streams in steep wooded glens.

The southern escarpment slopes were historically in agricultural use, with fields extending from the lower valleys up the slopes. Ladder field patterns on the escarpment are a local feature. However, some of these small farms are now derelict and lie within rushy fields at the end of green lanes. The extensive blanket bog on the summit hills and flat ridges has been subject to agriculture, peat cutting and afforestation. The latter has occurred in a piecemeal manner as various farms have sold up, leading to a broken, irregular forestry pattern, relieved by turbary plots and loughs. The plantations become more extensive to the north, where they completely clothe the slopes of Slieve Beagh. Forestry now accounts for two fifths of the area; in most cases it is a positive landscape feature, adding shelter and enclosure. Active farming continues on the slopes around the uplands, with newly drained land juxtaposed with rush infested grassland. Peat cutting remains evident. Prehistoric monuments are located around the edges of the area, with raths on prominent sites. There are no villages within the area; housing is dispersed on farms, along the valleys and on lower slopes. On the southern slopes, houses are traditionally distributed along lanes which run parallel to the slopes and a few larger houses have a markedly individual character.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

This landscape has undergone substantial recent change owing to the abandonment of farming and the afforestation of the uplands. Its open exposed character, with panoramic views, makes it quite sensitive to change. Extensive conifer plantations have a broken and irregular pattern and add shelter and enclosure to desolate hills and ruined farms. The intermingling of deciduous species around edges and along streams adds variety and this piecemeal forestry has so far been accommodated well. Peat cutting on upland blanket bogs remains an important source of fuel, but mechanical cutting, which is highly destructive to the bog vegetation, is seen in some areas. There are some areas of intact bog and heather moorland remaining. While some farms are becoming derelict, others are improved, but derelict properties and ruined mills are commonplace.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The conservation of the open character of the higher moorland summits, viewpoints and the settings to hilltop archaeological sites including raths is important. Monitoring of the grazing regime on upland moors will help reduce damage to this resource.
• The control of peat cutting, particularly where mechanised techniques are used, is advisable to prevent total destruction of the raised bog.
• Further forestry on the lower hills should mimic the small scale irregular patchwork which has occurred in the past, with a good proportion of the trees being deciduous. Irregular edges and a varied age structure will help prevent the creation of large uniform blocks in the countryside.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• The siting of transmission masts requires careful visual analysis.
• Housing is characteristically dispersed on farms along valleys and on lower slopes, with some small groups at cross road junctions. On the southern slopes, houses are situated along lanes parallel to the slopes, a traditional settlement pattern associated with the ladder farms. Older houses are set within small farmyards and retain traditional design features and it would be beneficial to reflect traditional designs in new housing.
• The restoration of some of the older derelict dwellings would prevent their complete loss from the landscape.