Rams Island Heritage Project

10/08/2026

We want to start by saying a big thank you to the vast majority of our visitors and volunteers. Most of the groups who come out to Rams Island deeply respect the space, share our values, and leave the island just as they found it.

​Unfortunately, we occasionally hit a bump in the road. We operate as a volunteer-led conservation project under a strict Leave No Trace policy to protect the island’s environment and wildlife. We ask those who visit to do the same. As you can see from the photos below, not everyone who visited last weekend showed that same respect. A group made their own way out to Rams Island and left our volunteers tidying up their mess. All the photographs can't be shared as they would put you off your breakfast!

​The time our team had to spend cleaning up after this group took valuable hours away from the actual maintenance and conservation work we’re here to do. While Rams Island is managed through countless volunteer hours, we love welcoming people out to enjoy it—but keeping it clean takes everyone playing their part.

​Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and treat the island with care.

29/06/2026

What a lovely tribute and a fantastic group of people! We wouldn't be here without the help of individuals and organisations! Thanks Ashley for organising a great group of volunteers and for all the help!

A TEAM of Asda’s Community Champions has rolled up their sleeves to support vital conservation work on Ram’s Island, one of Lough Neagh’s hidden natural gems. Seven Community Champions from stores across Northern Ireland, led by Antrim’s Ashley Ritchie, visited the island to ...

27/06/2026

Love seeing the swan family out and about! It’s so peaceful watching them glide along the shore like this.

Video credit: Eve

23/05/2026

Honestly, seeing this kind of dedication in person is something else. 🧤

​We’ve been out a lot recently working to replace the trees we lost during those nasty winter storms. It’s back-breaking work, but the payoff is finally here: the saplings are actually taking.

​There’s always that nervous wait to see if they’ll survive the transplant, so seeing those first signs of new growth is a huge win for the team.

​Huge shoutout to our volunteers who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty to keep our neighborhood green. It’s more than just planting trees; it’s about making sure the landscape bounces back stronger than it was before. 🌳✨

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20/05/2026

Time for a little trip down memory lane! 📸

​Throwing it back to 2009, when the island looked a bit different but the craic was just as good. This was back when Michael was heading up the tours, sharing all the stories and secrets of the island with everyone who hopped off the boat.

​Hard to believe that was 17 years ago! It’s amazing to see how much the trees have grown and how the island has changed since then, but Michael’s tours and his legacy are still such a huge part of our history.

​Who remembers heading over for a tour with Michael back in the day?

16/05/2026

Keep an eye out next time you’re over—we had a great sighting of a pair of Shelducks recently! 🦆✨

​They aren't a daily fixture, so it was a real treat to see those bright red bills and striking colors near the water. Hopefully, it’s a sign we’ll be seeing a bit more of them as the weather settles.

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13/05/2026

Eve is back at it again! 🛠️🐝

​If you've been over on the island lately, you might have spotted our resident builder extraordinaire starting on a brand-new project. The big question is: what’s she up to this time?

​The rumor mill is split—half of us think it’s a new fence to tidy things up, while the other half is betting on a new bug habitat. Given that Eve was the mastermind behind the "five-star" bug hotel she built last year, we wouldn't be surprised if she’s just expanding the local insect real estate! 🐞

​Whatever it ends up being, we know it’ll be solid and full of character. Eve’s hard work is what keeps this place looking its best, and we’re lucky to have her stuck in.

​What do you reckon it is—a fence or more bug lodgings? Cast your votes in the comments! 👇

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10/05/2026

The storms over the last two years have hit the trees hard. 🌳💨

​We lost another one of our walnut trees over the winter. Those storms really took their toll, and it’s always a gut punch to lose a well established tree. Even though walnuts aren't technically native, they’ve become such a huge part of the history and "look" of Ram’s Island over the decades. It feels like losing a bit of the furniture.

​The good news? We aren't going down without a fight.

​A few of our legends from the volunteer team were out recently getting a fresh sapling into the ground. It’ll take a while to reach the heights of the ones we’ve lost, but it’s a start toward making sure that walnut heritage stays part of the island for the next generation.

​Huge thanks to the crew for the hard work (and the sore backs!). 🌿✨

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03/05/2026

🌿 What a day on Rams Island yesterday! 🌿
A huge thank you to our amazing 20 volunteers who gave up their time to help care for this special place.

From clearing paths and picking up litter to pulling up sycamore saplings, the team worked incredibly hard — and it shows!

Rams Island is looking absolutely fantastic right now.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our wonderful community. If you' d like to get involved in future volunteer days, keep an eye on this page for upcoming dates!

27/04/2026

We recently carried out our first visit of the year to Rams Island for a heronry survey 🪶
Plenty of nests to count, chicks calling from the treetops, and even a lucky moment capturing one on camera — a great start to the season.

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