Ballyroney Basin Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Lowland basin containing the courses of the Rivers Bann and Drumadonnell.
• Flat waterlogged areas of birch moss, marshy pasture and loughs.
• Distinct drumlin landforms supporting improved farmland.
• Prominent hill is the site for the striking hill top town of Rathfriland.
• Roads cross the basin on embankments and settlement is restricted to drumlins.
• River Bann winds inconspicuously around between drumlins and under distinctive stone bridges.
• Views are enclosed by drumlins and dense birch growth on areas of moss.

Landscape Description

The Ballyroney Basin occupies a lowland waterlogged area of land enclosed by the Slieve Croob Summits to the north-east, the Mourne Mountains to the south-east and the Iveagh Slopes to the west. The area is underlain by a solid geology of intrusive igneous rocks, resulting in a flat and waterlogged landscape of extensive moss and loughs, which is interrupted by distinct drumlins. The moss supports rushes and sedges, heather, gorse and scrubby woodland consisting of regenerating birch and willow. Lackan Bog, to the east of Ballyroney, has been assigned ASSI status and represents one of the largest single blocks of lowland peatland left in County Down. Drumlins are farmed and pastures are enclosed by gappy hedgerows with occasional hedgerow trees.

Built development is clustered on drumlins and is linked by roads, which cross the waterlogged basin on high embankments. The settlements of Ballyroney, Moneyslane, Ballyward and Hilltown are sited on drumlins in riverside locations but built development is scattered evenly across higher land. The small white-rendered settlements create attractive features in the landscape. The striking town of Rathfriland sits on top of a prominent hill which rises out of the flat plain. It is a major landmark and acts as a radial focus for roads across the Basin. Views are typically short as they are interrupted by drumlins and the dense pockets of gorse and birch on the waterlogged land. However, the Mourne Mountains form a striking backdrop to the Basin as a whole. The River Bann passes through the basin but its course does not influence the landscape as it winds its way inconspicuously between drumlins and under stone bridges.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The Ballyroney Basin exhibits distinctive drumlin landforms in a 'sea' of moss and rushy pasture. The wild, unspoilt nature of the inaccessible land is enhanced by the presence of 'mounds' of tranquil pastoral farmland. The field boundaries are rather degraded in places and gaps and loss of hedgerow species indicate an overall lack of management. The density of settlement is high along roads but the areas in-between remain relatively unaffected by human influence. Dereliction of traditional stone buildings is leading to loss of local landscape character. Sensitivity to change is relatively low, due to the rolling ridges of land and dense tracts of birch moss which offer good opportunities for screening. However, the physical constraints of the landscape put greater pressure on accessible roadside locations which may lead to over-development of these areas. The areas of moss are important features of the landscape and are sensitive to drainage and development.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The improvement and management of hedgerows will result in a stronger field pattern which in turn will emphasise landform and enhance landscape character.
• Areas of peat bog should be conserved as distinctive landscape features and havens for bog communities and wildlife. The management of grazing and prevention of disturbance through drainage schemes and peat cutting will conserve these valuable areas of lowland peat.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• New development will be most inconspicuous if it is concentrated around existing hamlets rather than spreading across the rural countryside, or as dense ribbon development along the roads.