Conservation projects in Northern Ireland

Our work ranges from £multi-million restoration projects of historic houses, to the ongoing protection of coastlines and national treasures like the Giant's Causeway. Here's an insight into some of the projects we are currently working on...

Paths at Murlough in the early 1970s
Murlough National Nature Reserve   County Down

Restoring the Boardwalk at Murlough

A major restoration project of Murlough's 3km of boardwalk is underway.

Discover the 'Murlough method'
The Mourne Rangers chat between heli-lift drops
The Mournes   County Down

Mournes Path Project

We're working to protect the rare habitats of the Mournes by improving the paths on Slieve Donard and Bloody Bridge.

Find out what makes the Mournes so special
The restored arrangement of the Kitchen Garden
Florence Court   County Fermanagh

Florence Court Kitchen Garden restoration project timeline

The restoration of the Kitchen Garden at Florence Court is part of a project kindly supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community fund. Find out more about the latest project updates, straight from the garden!

Have a look at the latest update
Mussenden Temple Floor
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne   County Londonderry

Mussenden Temple floor restoration

Approximately 50% of the original limestone flagstones remain, the vast majority of which have cracked.

Find out more
Volunteers clean the sandstone floor by hand every day
Mount Stewart   County Down

Cleaning the Central Hall floor at Mount Stewart

Armed with a wet sponge, a toothbrush and lots of TLC, a small team of dedicated volunteers carry out the daily cleaning of the sandstone floor in the Central Hall floor at Mount Stewart…

Learn more about how we care for Mount Stewart
A painting of the original Windsor Garden by Mary Ward from 1864
Castle Ward   County Down

Castle Ward restores eleborate Victorian garden

Featuring 4,000 bulbs and 61 new beds, the newly restored Windsor Garden at Castle Ward will be ready to bloom in Spring.

Read how we are restoring a Victorian garden
The Rough Fort, a fortified farmstead dating back to 500 AD, has been refurbished thanks to a £2,000 donation from the North Coast Association

The Rough Fort 

Located a mile west of Limavady, the Rough Fort is the first property acquired by the National Trust in Northern Ireland. Built in the Bronze Age, it is a remarkable earthwork known as a Rath or Ring Fort. It is one of the best examples of a Rath in Northern Ireland and one of the best-preserved in our care.

Learn more about this Ring Fort, believed to be the home of fairies
Frizzell's Cottage in mid-Ulster is currently being restored by the National Trust

18 Century cottage restored with legacy funding  

Discover how legacy funding is being used to restore a traditional mud brick house with thatch roof in mid-Ulster, back to its former glory...

Learn more about the project
The original stone floor in the central hall at Mount Stewart
Mount Stewart   County Down

We bet you'd look good on this dance floor

The final phase of the award-winning restoration project at Mount Stewart gets underway with the uncovering of the original stone floor in the central hall

Read more about the project
Glenoe Waterfall

Glenoe gets a new path and bridge 

Find out about the work we've been doing at Glenoe

Find out more
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The Argory   County Armagh

Back to its best: The Tack Room at The Argory

Tired, damp and far from looking its best, the challenge was on to restore the Tack Room at The Argory to its former glory in time for the start of the new season.

Read about the project
painting the ceiling detail in the study at The Argory
The Argory   County Armagh

Saved from the flood: Restoring the study at The Argory

Seven years after being badly damaged in a flood, the study in The Argory is in the final stages of a restoration project that will see it reopen to the public once again …

Follow our progress
Project to catalogue thousands of historic books at Mount Stewart
Mount Stewart   County Down

A new chapter for the book collection at Mount Stewart

An ambitious project is underway at Mount Stewart to catalogue over 4,500 texts and make them digitally accessible to all

Read the story
The new signage at Minnowburn uses reclaimed wood from Lagan Weir Footbridge
Minnowburn   County Down

Lagan Weir Footbridge gets up-cycled at Minnowburn

Find out how wood salvaged from Belfast's Lagan Weir footbridge is finding a new lease of life at Minnowburn

Read more
Temple Water resoration project at Castle Ward
Castle Ward   County Down

Castle Ward: restoration of a hidden treasure

Discover the work being done to restore Temple Water to its late 17th and early 18th century glory

Learn more
Porstewart strand dune conservation
Portstewart Strand   County Londonderry

Dune conservation at Portstewart Strand

Learn about the exciting sea buckthorn control project being carried out in partnership with Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)

Learn more about coastal conservation
Looking through the walls into the Orchard at Downhill
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne   County Londonderry

Garden projects at Downhill Demesne

Read about our work to restore the walled garden at Downhill Demesne and the new secret garden by Bishop's Gate

Find out more
Florence Court pond project

Florence Court garden pond project gets underway  

Restoration work is underway to restore the pond in the walled garden, improving the water quality for water plants, birds and wildlife.

Read more about our work to restore the lower pond
Florence court cobbling project draws to a close

Cobbling project at Florence Court draws to a close 

Work is coming to an end for the latest conservation project at Florence Court – the lifting, cleaning and relaying of the cobbles in the laundry yard.

Learn more about the project
Man behind yellow flower border
Florence Court   County Fermanagh

In the potting shed with David Corscadden

National Trust gardener David Corscadden talks about his most ambitious project to date - the restoration of the Kitchen Garden at Florence Court in Fermanagh.

Cuppa and a chat with David Corscadden