Gearóid Ó Muilleoir, pen name Dúlra, is a wildlife buff who was brought up on the slopes of Belfast’s Black Mountain where he spent almost every waking moment hillwalking, birdwatching and fishing.
He’s witnessed massive changes in the local environment, with fields disappearing and nature retreating. “When I was young we had corncrakes breeding in the heart of west Belfast and a barn owl used to swoop down over the street as we played in the evening," he says.
“All that’s gone - but the one thing that has given me heart is the rewilding movement. Nature just needs to be given the space to do its thing without human interference and it can return from the brink.”
Gearóid has spent a lifetime in journalism, working with all the main newspapers here and he’s now production editor of the Sunday World. Outside of the environment, his other passion is the Irish language and he’s a regular on award-winning Belfast station Raidió Failte.
EVERY morning Dúlra danders around the outside of the house to scatter some seeds for the birds. The dunnock especially keeps an eye out – as soon as Dúlra steps back indoors, this shy bird quietly emerges from the hedges to gobble up some of the energy-rich food.
IT’S the most impressive book Dúlra has ever set eyes on.
THE common starling isn’t used to our admiration.
DÚLRA knows his limits – and this week it was time to admit defeat and call for the expert. Because Dúlra wants to be sure that when some of our most stunning birds arrive back in Belfast after six months in distant lands, they will know where they can find a safe and welcoming home.
OK, a stupid question – but why does a dawn chorus walk have to be so damn early?People are being asked to meet at 5am at the gates of Belfast Castle next month (Saturday May 18) where Black Mountain champion Aaron Kelly will lead the Dawn Chorus Dander on Cave Hill.
ADULT male seeks mate. Enjoys travelling and is a keen flyer. Loves to dine out and seeks fellow meat-lover. Proud owner of a brand new home with great views over Belfast. Wants to start a family immediately. Interested parties please contact Bird Box 2024, c/o Black Mountain.
WHO says you have to grow up? Your childhood is packed with fun and the excitement of learning new things, so why leave it behind?
THERE’S not an inch to spare in Aidso Bradley’s garden shed, but everything has its place. A multitude of screwdrivers and chisels of every shape and size sit upright on the workbench in wooden holders he made himself, neatly in rows according to size. On the wall hang pliers, wrenches and spanners for every job imaginable.
IT was the best story – the most shocking story – that Dúlra never wrote. It was decades ago, but even back then this nature story would have made the front page of every national paper in Ireland.
IT’S a wonder of the world – and it can be seen every evening for free in Belfast city centre.
FOR most organisations, an Aisling Award is the pinnacle of achievement. But for Aidan Crean and the nature buffs at Mullaghglass Wetlands Project overlooking West Belfast, the gong they won last year was a springboard to do even more to save our vanishing biodiversity. Being named Environment champions at a gala dinner in the Europa was the affirmation and encouragement they needed to drive them to even greater things.
SUNFLOWER hearts have extraordinary qualities. They are like manna from heaven for our feathered friends.
DÚLRA doesn’t make many home visits, but he made an exception for Pat Rice. The octogenarian former school teacher/politician noted linguist was given bird feeders as a Christmas present by his son and wanted some advice on how best to put them up.
HISTORY is alive on the Montalto Estate in County Down in the shape of the thousands of trees that grow on its 400 acres. The estate’s guardians don’t shy away from a tumultuous past, rather they embrace it.
SOME people think fairies don’t exist – but Dúlra can confirm that they are alive and well on the Belfast Hills. And here’s the photographic proof.