Harmony Community Trust at Glebe House

17/06/2026

🌿 Bright and Balanced Summer Scheme at Glebe House 🌿

We’re delighted that Catherine Morgan from Bright and Balanced Kids will be running a series of summer wellbeing sessions for children aged 7–11 years here at Glebe House, Kilclief this summer. ☀️

These fun and nurturing sessions will include:
✨ Games
✨ Yoga
✨ Art
✨ Mindfulness & relaxation activities

Designed to help children grow in confidence, build resilience, connect with others and most importantly — have fun in a safe and supportive environment. 💚

📅 Dates:
🌻 Friday 17th July | 10am–1pm
🌻 Friday 24th July | 10am–1pm
🌻 Friday 7th August | 10am–1pm
🌻 Friday 14th August | 10am–1pm

📍 Glebe House, Kilclief

Please note these sessions are being organised and delivered independently by Catherine Morgan using the Glebe House premises.

For bookings or more information please contact Catherine directly:
📞 07871 967193

14/06/2026

The sun is shining at kilclief beach for day 2 of our bioblitz event. Come join Gavin and Anna and the team Strangford and Lecale AONB 4-5pm at low tide on the beach to enjoy rock pooling, exploring and nature singing also with Julia Cross, Life Coach - Soul Doula

13/06/2026

Thanks so much everyone who came along today to the Bioblitz Day Today Harmony Community Trust at Glebe House . We discovered lots of fabulous moths, plants, musical talents even!

Day 2 continues tomorrow!

We are delighted that Shelagh Henry from Kite Tours NI will give a talk 1330-1430 on
‘The Return of the Red Kite' about the re-introduction projects, their ecology, their magnificence and their story so far.

David Thompson will do more nature walks ( fascinating today! ) 1300-1400 around Glebe site

We'll have recyclable art and then all the activities move down to the Kilclief beach 3-5pm with Strangford and Lecale AONB marine experts rockpooling and discovering all fabulous creatures we have on Kilclief beach and we'll have singing on the beach with our own Julia Cross, Life Coach - Soul Doula

13/06/2026

Not only do we have all of our nature discovery activities this weekend there is also music at the Harmony Community Trust at Glebe House . Come join us until 4pm today

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

Its all going on down at the Glebe! The preparations are nearly complete for our nature discovery BioBlitz Weekend this weekend and the weather looks to be kind.

The barn is cleaned, the moth traps are being set , l all we need now is you and Nature!

Ths was David Thompson, our Ecology Consultant doing bird surveys using ransect method the other day and tomorrow at the BioBlitz he'll be leading 3 guided nature walks.

So come join us to discover what plants, birds, butterflies and insects are out there! Strangford and Lecale AONB ecology spouncer. Sat 13th 10am to 4pm and Sunday

09/06/2026

This rare Spotted Flycatcher was captured this week at Glebe and it makes us wonder what other beautiful species we may have on our site!

Come visit us this weekend for Bioblitz weekend to find out!

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER
Status: 🔴
Rarity Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The elite tier of true, instinctive, high‑skill aerial insect hunters is, in Ireland at least, crowned by the Spotted Flycatcher. With surgical precision, this diminutive assassin launches from his perch, snatching insects mid‑air with sublime accuracy. Unlike Hirundines, he does not give frantic chase. Instead, he waits — concealed in lush spring canopies — reading air currents, tracking tiny movements, calculating interception points, and timing his sally to perfection. Minimal energy spent; maximum payoff. A quiet, efficient, and utterly lethal hunter.

Now the sad part. The Spotted Flycatcher's centuries old relationship with Ireland is under immense pressure. Declines in returning individuals are observed year-on-year, due to migration problems, tree loss, insect population decline and more. Harmony Community Trust at Glebe House provides a lush green, insect-rich sanctuary for this once prominent species. I observed this individual today flitting in-and-out of the tall trees and orchard, before perching in front of the old shed where he performed some of his trademark hunting manoeuvres- like watching God’s calmest assassin at work.

Swifts were also present.

09/06/2026

The countdown is on, and it's only a few days to our Bioblitz event at Glebe, where we will be 'blitzing the site' to see what bugs, moths, butterflies, plants and pond beasties we can find!

We will be officially recording all our findings on INaturalist. Why not come along and help us? Saturday 13th June 10am to 4pm and Sunday 14th 1pm-3pm at Glebe then 3-5pm at Kilclief Beach . Fun and activities for all the family including a free lunch!

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/glebe-house-bioblitz

08/06/2026

For anyone attending our Bioblitz event on Saturday 13th at the Glebe, please note the main Downpatrick to Strangford road up from Quoile to Castle Ward will be closed from 10.30 - 1.30pm . Please come to Glebe via Bishopscourt Road into Kilclief

General Public Announcement 📣📣
Saturday 13 June - Temporary estate and road closure

Castle Ward are pleased to be the venue for Beyond the Wall Triathlon, organised by for another year! Here's key points to note for the day:

📌During the cycling portion of the triathlon, the main avenue to the estate will be closed for rider safety from around 11.15am to 12.15pm, during this time it will not be possible to enter or leave Castle Ward. All visitors and spectators are advised to arrive before this time to ensure access to the estate. Castle Ward will be open from 8am.
📌The Shore Car Park will be closed all day.
📌The main road from Downpatrick will be limited from 10.45am to around 13.30pm with some diversions in place.
📌As the hoof trail is in use for set up and race day, we will not be able to accommodate horse riders on Friday 12 or Saturday 13 June.

We would like to thank our visitors in advance for their patience and support and wish all the participants the best of luck! ❤️

04/06/2026

We’re delighted to welcome the Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group to our Bioblitz at Glebe House on Saturday 13th June, 10am–4pm (in partnership with Strangford and Lecale AONB).

This dedicated team works tirelessly to reintroduce and protect our native red squirrels across Ballynahinch and throughout County Down. Do stop by their outreach stand to learn more, ask questions, and find out how you can support their important work.

You can follow them on Facebook or get in touch about getting involved here: https://www.facebook.com/heartofdownreds/about

Our Bioblitz event is happening
📍 DAY 1 – SATURDAY 13 JUNE | 10am–4pm
Glebe – Terrestrial Day
Park at Glebe, Bishops Court Rd, Downpatrick BT30 7NZ.
🗺 https://maps.app.goo.gl/K1ru6paYKmYeJKve8

📍 DAY 2 – SUNDAY 14 JUNE | 1pm–3pm
Kilclief Beach – Terrestrial & Coastal Day
1-3pm – explore the wildlife at Glebe Butterflies, plants and birds
3-5pm – Head to Kilclief beach to explore the shore with Marine Biologists Gavin and Anna
Park at Kilclief Beach opposite Kilclief Castle or further along the road at Campbells Beach
🗺 https://maps.app.goo.gl/kpetyZDXMKedZYNn9

Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group works to reintroduce and conserve the red squirrel population around Ballynahinch and throughout County Down. We work with Belfast Zoo to release red squirrels in Castle Ward. Message us about getting involved 🐿️