Rams Island Heritage Project

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.

NatureNI DiscoverNI WildlifePhotography ConservationInAction ProtectOurWildlife NatureLovers BirdWatching Wetlands Biodiversity LoveNature EnvironmentalWork

04/04/2026

Join us for our Rams Island Volunteer Day on Saturday 18th April 🌿
Come along for a community clean-up and conservation day and help us look after Rams Island. Everyone welcome – individuals, families and groups. Equipment and refreshments provided.

📅 Saturday 18th April 10am
📍 Rams Island
📧 [email protected]

.lovehere .now

04/03/2026

Ready to trade the sofa for some fresh air and a bit of "good work" this weekend? 🌿

​We’re heading over to Rams Island this Saturday for the Big Spring Clean with Live Here Love Here. It’s a great chance to get out to the Island, clear some debris, pick up litter, and keep the island looking its absolute best for the season ahead.

​If you’ve never been out to the island, it’s a stunning spot—and it stays that way because of folks like you willing to lend a hand!

​📍 The Game Plan:
​Meeting at: Sandy Bay
​Leaving at: 10:00 AM sharp
Returning at: 3:30 PM
​What to bring: Sturdy waterproof boots, some old clothes, and plenty of enthusiasm!

​📩 Sign Me Up!
​We need to know numbers for the boat, so please drop us a quick email to register:
[email protected]

​Let’s get stuck in and make a real difference. 🌊♻️
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01/03/2026

Rams Island in the news! 📸🗞️

​Great to see a lovely write-up in the Antrim Guardian this week about our recent win at the Live Here Love Here Community Awards. It’s brilliant to see the conservation work on the island getting a bit of a spotlight on the regional stage.

​The biggest "thank you" has to go to our volunteers. You don't do it for the trophies or the headlines, but you truly deserve both. Cheers for being such fantastic custodians of the Island and for all the graft you put in behind the scenes—come rain or shine! 💚

​Have a read of the full story here:

https://www.antrimguardian.co.uk/news/2026/02/26/gallery/rams-island-team-picks-up-environmental-award-61918/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQQ2kFjbGNrBBDaL2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHsIvh8qjQoPMHHOElQxLxgAz-EqAcigvoKAslWJ2ByC_Pod3jCuM6JeKttQu_aem_ef6q0dT9A7t2d7lLyDhn0Q

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LIVE Here Love Here has announced the Antrim and Newtownabbey winners at its 2026 Community Awards. The event was held on February 19 at Belfast City Hall and hosted by TV presenter Joe Mahon.