Restoration work has begun at Peatlands Park as part of a €19.2 million cross-border project designed to repair damaged peatlands, protect biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of communities across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
Finance Minister John O’Dowd visited the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council site on October 16, 2026, to see the start of the PEAT+ Project. The visit was hosted by the council and Ulster Wildlife, the nature conservation charity leading the initiative.
PEAT+ is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It brings together public bodies, academic organisations, environmental groups and media partners to deliver large-scale peatland restoration across Northern Ireland and the border counties.
Six project sites in the ABC Borough
Work will take place over the next three years at 22 priority sites. Six of those locations are within the ABC Borough, placing Peatlands Park among a wider programme of restoration activity intended to improve some of the region’s most important natural landscapes.
Project delivery partners include Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Atlantic Technological University Donegal, the Crichton Carbon Centre, Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Mourne Heritage Trust and RTÉ. NI Water and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are associate partners.
During the visit, Minister O’Dowd was given an overview of the project and the restoration work planned at Peatlands Park. He was also shown the area where the work will be carried out.
The project will also support research and innovation, while promoting the cultural and natural heritage connected to peatland environments. The wider programme covers approximately 12,415 hectares of peatland across its 22 sites.
Why peatland restoration matters
Peatlands are among the world’s most important carbon stores. However, around 80% of peatland across Ireland is estimated to be in a degraded condition and contributing to carbon emissions.
Restoring the habitats is intended to help address climate change while supporting biodiversity, improving water quality and reducing flood risk. The partners say the benefits will extend beyond the immediate restoration work, helping to create healthier ecosystems and more resilient communities.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mary O’Dowd, said the project represented a major investment in the natural environment and showed the value of cross-border cooperation in responding to environmental challenges.
“We were delighted to welcome Minister John O’Dowd to mark the beginning of this hugely important project. The PEAT+ Project represents a significant investment in our natural environment and demonstrates the strength of cross-border collaboration in tackling some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing our communities. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the project will have in restoring habitats, supporting biodiversity, improving water quality and helping us respond to climate change.”
Green jobs and training planned
As well as environmental improvements, PEAT+ is expected to create economic and skills opportunities. The project is supporting around 40 green jobs and is intended to create opportunities for contractors, businesses and specialist services.
An accredited LANTRA training course will also be delivered to strengthen skills and capacity in the peatland restoration sector. Project partners say the investment in habitats, people, skills and scientific knowledge will support stronger rural economies alongside the environmental work.
Finance Minister John O’Dowd said the visit showed how partners were combining their expertise to improve peatland conditions and described the project as an example of PEACEPLUS investment supporting partnership working.
“Today’s visit to Peatlands Park has provided a valuable opportunity to see the work of the PEAT+ Project and to hear how partners are combining their knowledge and expertise to improve the condition of our peatlands. “Restoring these important habitats will deliver many environmental benefits, promote research and support jobs. “PEAT+ is an excellent example of how PEACEPLUS investment supports effective partnership working and delivers positive, long-term outcomes for our environment and local communities.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said PEAT+ was moving from planning into delivery, with restoration beginning at sites including Peatlands Park. She said the project would address carbon storage, water regulation and climate resilience while strengthening cooperation across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
“The PEAT+ Project is now moving from planning into delivery, with restoration work beginning on the ground at sites such as Peatlands Park. We are proud to support a PEACEPLUS project that is helping to restore habitats and species of international importance while also addressing wider environmental challenges including carbon storage, water regulation and climate resilience. “PEAT+ demonstrates the value of partnership working, bringing together expertise from across Northern Ireland and Ireland to deliver practical environmental improvements that will benefit communities for generations to come. By investing in our natural environment today, the project is helping to create healthier, more resilient ecosystems while strengthening cross-border cooperation on issues that affect us all.”
PEAT+ Project Director Jenna Hewitt said the programme’s benefits would continue well beyond its lifetime as restoration, training and scientific work progress across the 22 sites.
“The PEAT+ Project represents a major investment in the environmental and economic future of Northern Ireland and the border counties. Through a large-scale cross-border peatland restoration programme, we are improving approximately 12,415 hectares of peatland across 22 sites in Northern Ireland and the border counties. “The project is supporting around 40 green jobs, creating opportunities for contractors, businesses and specialist services, and will deliver an accredited LANTRA training course that will strengthen the skills and capacity of the peatland restoration sector. “By investing in habitats, people, skills and scientific knowledge, the PEAT+ Project will create healthier ecosystems, stronger rural economies and more resilient communities. Its benefits will continue long beyond the lifetime of the project.”