Shannon Airport Group hits key milestone in Ireland’s first conservation grazing project

In a landmark move ahead of National Biodiversity Week, The Shannon Airport Group has successfully completed the initial phase of its Farmland Biodiversity Enhancement Project, marking the first use of grazing cattle on airport-owned land in Ireland.

Located at Thady’s Hill, the 10-acre site near Shannon Airport is one of the most ecologically significant areas across the Shannon Airport Group's lands. It hosts a habitat of national and international importance, including rare and endangered species of native grasses and flowers, such as bee and pyramidal orchids.

Following scrub clearance in early 2024, traditional Droimeann cattle—recently recognised as a native rare breed in Ireland—were introduced for conservation grazing during the non-growing season. These cattle are ideal for this sensitive habitat due to their ability to thrive on rough pasture and their minimal impact on soil compaction.

Led by the Shannon Airport Group Biodiversity Team and supported by local farmer John Quinlivan and botanist Phoebe O’Brien, the project is already making strides in restoring and protecting the rare habitat of Thady’s Hill and its unique plant species.

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The next phase of the project involves collaboration with Meg Brennan of Polliknow, a new company that has developed devices using advanced sensors and computer vision to monitor wild insect pollinators—key indicators of ecosystem health.

Commenting on the progress made to date, Sinéad Murphy, Head of Sustainability at The Shannon Airport Group, stated: “This project not only demonstrates our commitment to protect and enhance biodiversity through the restoration and management of an ecologically important site, but also highlights the power of collaboration.”

Ms Murphy added that the Shannon Airport Group is grateful to all stakeholders, including John Quinlivan and Phoebe O’Brien, for their expertise and dedication, as well as to its own sustainability specialist Arek Gdulinski and the wider Shannon Airport Group teams involved.

The initiative is part of the Shannon Airport Group’s wider 2023–2027 Biodiversity Action Plan and was developed with the support of Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants.

National Biodiversity Week 2025 runs from this Friday, May 16, to Sunday, May 25.