Storm damage set to have ‘far reaching’ impact in Mournes

Storm damage set to have ‘far reaching’ impact in Mournes

2 April 2025

THE aftermath of Storm Éowyn will be felt across the district for many years to come with the trail of destruction it left in its wake described as “far reaching” by the Mourne Heritage Trust.

In its monthly bulletin, the organisation said while the aftermath of Storm Darragh in December was daunting enough, its team on the ground faced an even greater challenge when Storm Éowyn pummelled the district in January.

Trust officials said relentless winds and torrential rain left a trail of destruction across Castlewellan and Rostrevor which demanded an immense clean-up effort.

In Castlewellan, fallen trees blocked key routes, and debris was scattered across roads and pathways, with Heritage Trust team members working relentlessly to clear access routes, ensuring that essential passage was restored as quickly as possible.

Trust officials say while the immediate hazards have been addressed, the full impact of Storms Darragh and Éowyn will be felt for years. 

“The scale of destruction is immense, and though recovery efforts continue, the damage to the landscape and infrastructure is far reaching,” they say.

Over 1,000 trees were felled across Castlewellan forest park with a number of scenic walks and mountain bike trails closed.

Storm Éowyn literally obliterated sections of the hugely popular bike trails which were left unrecognisable, with award winning and internationally recognised trees planted over a century and a half ago brought crashing to the ground as the devastatingly destructive storm mercilessly bludgeoned its way through parkland.

The historic walled garden bore the brunt of the storm with up to 50 trees in this area alone snapped like twigs, with internationally recognised and revered trees literally ripped from the ground as the mammoth power of Mother Nature was fully unleashed.

An unprecedented red warning was issued by the Met Office before Storm Éowyn made landfall with people advised people to stay indoors as the ferocity of what was the worst storm in a generation posed a significant threat to life.

At the height of the ferociously frightening storm, thousands of homes across the district were left without power with trees blocking many roads, especially in rural areas. No part of the district escaped the ravages of the storm.

Also in its latest bulletin, the Heritage Trust provided an update on recent helicopter activity around Slieve Binnian which marked the beginning of a crucial restoration project, with the aircraft delivering heavy materials to the site.

Officials say increases in walker numbers, changing weather dynamics and inconsistent grazing have led to very significant erosion of fragile soils.

Paths have widened and new tracks have developed alongside older tracks, leaving exposed soils, trampled vegetation, loose scree and damaged habitats.

To address this, funding from DAERA’s Environmental Challenge Fund and NI Water is supporting the control of erosion, with repair and remodelling of the degraded track.

The Heritage Trust said this project aims to stabilise paths, protect the surrounding vegetation, slow water movement and improve drainage on, and across, the track, with the work being carried out by the organisation’s upland team, boosted with skilled contractors, all dedicated to preserving this precious landscape. 

Trust officials say they appreciate people’s patience and ask them to follow local guidance over the next few weeks as this essential and challenging work takes place.

The latest bulletin also provides an update on the work of the Forever Mournes Partnership which includes the National Trust, Mourne Heritage Trust, NI Water and the Woodland Trust and continues to advance its mission to preserve the Mournes’ natural and cultural heritage. 

Recent and current topics include a review of car parks and visitor facilities in the High Mournes, along with an accessibility audit of forest parks and nature reserves which is nearing completion.

A historical satellite analysis is wrapping up and an interpretation masterplan, which covers the 

wider Mourne Gullion Strangford GeoPark area, is awaiting formal approval.

Elsewhere, a climate change study was due to conclude at the end of March while a skills strategy is set for completion by June.

The Partnership insists that it remains committed to sustainable tourism and conservation.