A major 10–year plan to save Lough Neagh – and transform how it is managed – has been unveiled after two years of research and consultation.
Backed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by Lough Neagh Partnership, the Heritage Resilience Plan sets out an ambitious roadmap to tackle the environmental crisis on the lough, restore wildlife and wetlands, revive local traditions and give communities a far stronger say in how the lake is cared for.
It is designed to dovetail with the separate “Forever Lough Neagh” 30–year Roadmap to Recovery being developed with the National Trust and DAERA, which is expected to recommend new long-term management arrangements for the lough.
Launching the plan, Lough Neagh Partnership chair Gary McErlain warned that the lough is “at a pivotal time”.
Blue-green algae blooms in 2023 and 2024 exposed decades of pollution and poor management. The lough – which supplies around 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water – is now officially “hyper-eutrophic”, choked with nutrients from farm run-off, sewage and disturbed sediments.
Fish stocks, waterbirds and iconic species such as the European eel and Irish pollan have all suffered; wetlands, peatlands and wet grasslands have been drained or overgrown; and long-standing local traditions – from eel fishing and cot boat building to songs and stories – are fading as livelihoods disappear.
The plan argues that this is not simply an environmental emergency, but a threat to jobs, tourism, community identity and health around the entire shoreline, including south Armagh and the wider Upper Bann catchment.
However, it insists that the situation is reversible if there is sustained, coordinated action and a “just transition” that supports farmers, fishers and rural communities through change.
A key strand of the project focused on exploring future options for the ownership and management of the bed and soil of Lough Neagh.
Working alongside legal, ecological, governance, and heritage experts, as well as a broad range of stakeholders, the project examined innovative governance models capable of delivering long-term environmental and social benefits. This work culminated in the development of proposals for a community-based trust model, designed to ensure that any future transfer of ownership places the interests of both the environment and local communities at its core.
Guests are pictured at the launch with Gary McErlain, Chair of Lough Neagh Partnership, Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Gerry Darby and Michael Browne of Lough Neagh Partnership.
Michael Browne of Lough Neagh Partnership said: “Such a model could represent a landmark step in the management of shared natural assets in Northern Ireland, helping to ensure that future revenues generated from the Lough are reinvested into conservation, heritage protection, and community development initiatives.
“Collaboration has been central to the success of this project. Throughout the process, the Lough Neagh Partnership has worked closely with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, and Forever Lough Neagh to align environmental, heritage, and economic priorities. I’m proud that these partnerships are now helping to inform the development of a wider strategic Roadmap to Recovery for Lough Neagh and its catchment area.”
From fishermen and farmers to artists, tourism providers, and local residents, people from across the Lough Neagh region contributed their knowledge, experiences, and aspirations through surveys, workshops, and consultation events. Their input has helped shape practical, locally driven recommendations that will support the Lough’s recovery and ensure that future decision-making remains rooted in community needs and aspirations.
Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “At the Heritage Fund we’re committed to building resilience by providing organisations with capacity and expertise to develop their long-term plans. With the help of our funding, made possible by National Lottery players, the Lough Neagh Partnership has been able to employ staff to co-ordinate plans, secure advice and undertake community and stakeholder consultation on future options for Lough Neagh. We hope that this Heritage Resilience Plan will inform the range of people interested in the sustainable future of this treasured natural and built heritage asset.”
While the project has now concluded, its legacy will continue through the implementation of the Heritage Resilience Plan and the ongoing development of collaborative recovery initiatives.
Michael Browne of Lough Neagh Partnership concluded: “By combining environmental restoration, cultural stewardship, community engagement, and innovative governance, the project has created a strong foundation for the future of Lough Neagh. The work undertaken over the past two years demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, organisations, and government work together towards a common goal: protecting and enhancing this remarkable landscape for generations to come.”
To view a copy of the Heritage Resilience Plan for Lough Neagh, visit https://loughneaghpartnership.org/publications/
