Michael Keegan

Michael Keegan is a sheep farmer farming near Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. He is farming around 130 acres, running upwards of 250 Easycare ewes. As well as that, he also works off-farm on a local estate implementing an extensive environmental management plan. Learning on the job, he now has a vast knowledge of ecosystem restoration, implementing measures such as heather cutting to benefit red grouse and other species, treating the invasive Rhododendron plants in the woodland, bruising bracken, repairing and restoring traditional drystone walls on the estate, manages of deer population, tagging and recording of raptors in conjunction with the NPWS, gathering seeds from native trees and shrubs on the estate for propagation and woodland restoration and gully planting with native trees and shrubs.
Now with a keen interest in proper upland management, he has pivoted his own farming system. He has begun keeping Easycare sheep which can be outwintered, lamb outside and need far less pharmaceuticals, as a consequence. Michael has an ongoing program of tree-planting on the farm including a 'hare's corners' where he has planted native tree species. Michael has reduced his chemical inputs radically and introduced multi-species swards. He plans to convert a Sitka Spruce plantation on his land into a native woodland once it matures. He says ‘I’m much happier with what I’m doing now’.

Nomination:
Mountaineering Ireland is nominating Michael to highlight how upland habitats can be brought into better condition, and because we believe his learning could inform upland management in other areas. The estate he works at is made up of wet heath, dry heath, blanket bog, lakes, rivers, meadows and woodland (both native and conifer plantations).
A baseline study of habitat condition has informed decisions on the management of the estate. Actions to date include: Treatment of the invasive Rhododendron ponticum in woodland; Bruising and treatment of bracken; Tagging and recording of raptors in conjunction with NPWS; Repair and restoration of traditional drystone walls, benefitting nature and cultural heritage; Management of the deer population including the removal of unhealthy animals; Heather cutting to benefit red grouse and other species; Gathering seeds from native trees and shrubs on the estate for propagation and woodland restoration; Gully planting with native trees and shrubs . Future actions to enhance the natural environment will include Re-wetting of blanket bog areas; Introduction of cattle to assist with conservation grazing (e.g. breaking down bracken); sheep have already been removed from the estate; Further planting of native trees and conversion of plantations to broadleaves. Michael’s involvement in all of the above will contribute to the protection of nature and enhance the capacity for the landscape of to deliver a host of ecosystem services. These services, the products of sustainable management of an upland landscape, include carbon sequestration and storage, slope stabilisation and flood mitigation, improved water quality, and increased biodiversity. Other actions which benefit provision of cultural ecosystem services include: Managed access for responsible recreation, with a liaison team in place at weekends to welcome people and to gently encourage compliance with the estate’s code of conduct; Heritage study of archaeological sites on the estate; Facilitating school tours with the aim of getting the message to the next generation; Hosting Mountaineering Ireland and many other community and voluntary organisations that have a connection with the estate. Michael’s own attitudes to upland farming have also been transformed over the past two years, resulting in changes to Michael’s farming practices on his home farm as well. It is our belief that Michael has the affability, conviction, and communication skills to be a powerful ambassador for upland habitat restoration. Michael is a young farmer, and an active IFA member, he is currently Chair of the Enniskerry IFA branch and a past vice-Chair of Wicklow IFA. These connections place Michael in a position to influence the wider farming community. Along with his colleagues, Michael is facilitating responsible and sustainable recreation in tandem with his upland management work. He has shown that he can be instrumental in building understanding of upland management amongst recreational users, school groups and the wider community. Michael is a Board member of the Wicklow Uplands Council and is also contributing to that organisation’s work to benefit people, places and nature.
Nominator: Helen Lawless, Access and Conservation Officer, Mountaineering Ireland