Mourne Heritage Trust has discontinued its engagement ranger program in the Mourne Mountains due to declining external funding. The last ranger, Peter Rafferty, left in December after two and a half years in the role. The charity can no longer sustain the initiative.

Visitor numbers to the Mournes exceeded 300,000 each year, according to chief executive Nigel McKinney, who took the position last year. Numbers reached an all-time high during the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting the introduction of rangers to advise hikers on responsible use. The team initially had three rangers, reduced to one last year, then none.

Rangers advised on keeping dogs on leads, staying on paths, avoiding the Mourne Walls, and wildfire risks. Rafferty noted challenges in communicating these messages amid heavy use. McKinney observed 80% of dogs off leads during a March visit, coinciding with bird nesting season, and increased dog waste.

Farmers report impacts from off-lead dogs. Brian O'Hanlon, whose family grazes sheep in the Mournes, said the Ott Track grew ten times busier since 2020. His farm lost four pregnant sheep to dogs last year. John Keown runs 500 to 600 Mourne Blackface ewes and cited broken legs and sheep in rivers from worrying by dogs.

O'Hanlon and Keown valued the rangers' advice on closing gates, leashing dogs, and removing litter. McKinney seeks alternative funding but calls for sustained statutory support for Northern Ireland's most visited upland area.

Initial funding came from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and Sport NI. Daera provides ongoing multi-year funding to the trust via the Environment Fund 2023-2028. Sport NI contributed 15% over four years.