Farmland Biodiversity

The Iveragh Peninsula’s wet, rocky and mountainous terrain is not well-suited to the kinds of intensive crop and dairy farming that characterises so much of Ireland’s landscape. This has led livestock grazing, usually with sheep and cattle, to become the dominant form of agriculture on Iveragh.

Importantly, much of Iveragh is farmed ‘extensively’ rather than ‘intensively’. This means that large areas of the peninsula’s farmland receive little to no fertilisers or pesticides and are rarely disturbed with heavy machinery. This type of low-intensity farming can be very beneficial for a range of species, particularly when livestock grazing is well-balanced. Well-balanced livestock grazing helps to maintain a mosaic of vegetation types and a varied structure which is particularly important for nesting and overwintering insects, ground-nesting birds and birds of prey.

The tradition of farming on Iveragh is a great source of pride for farmers and farm families and continues to play an important role in shaping this landscape which we all adore. Fortunately, much of Iveragh’s farmland still supports a diverse set of habitats and a wide variety of wildlife, including many species which are rare, or otherwise threatened.