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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Mayo Minister announces funding for Belleek Woods upgrade as part of national investment into Coillte sites
The funding is part of a €4 million nationwide investment by the department into Coillte managed recreational sites across Ireland. In addition, a further €1.4 million has been allocated this year to support the repair of up to 200 Coillte sites that were damaged during storms in 2025. Storm Éowyn caused widespread destruction in January, forcing over 100 sites to close. Of these, 83 have since reopened and Minister Calleary said he expects the remaining sites to reopen before the end of this year. 'In recognition of the significant level of resources needed to repair the storm damage, I am delighted to be able to provide, on a once off basis, additional funding of €1.4m towards repair works on up to 200 sites that suffered storm damage in 2025,' he said. €2m of the total investment will help support ongoing maintenance on 169 recreational sites around the country, and €600,000 is earmarked for the development of new projects. Belleek Woods is one of 17 development projects scheduled for 2025 and the only one in Connacht. Announcing the funding, Minister Calleary highlighted the importance of his department's strategic partnership with Coillte for supporting outdoor recreation in Ireland. 'It is essential to ensuring that Coillte sites are in a position to facilitate millions of visitors each year with high quality trails and facilities,' said the Minister, 'Through our current partnership with Coillte, we are providing up to €15 million over 5 years to maintain and develop Coillte's trail network and recreation amenities around the country. This funding is also supporting Coillte's engagement with local communities and recreation groups right across the country.' Imelda Hurley, the CEO of Coillte welcomed the investment thanking Minister Calleary and the department She said: 'This support comes at a critical time, following the unprecedented Storm Éowyn, that caused widespread damage across our forest estate. Our teams have been working tirelessly to restore access, often in extremely challenging conditions. Their phenomenal efforts have ensured that the majority of our recreational forests have now reopened, enabling communities and visitors to once again enjoy the natural beauty of our forests.' The 2024 Coillte Report, released today, recorded over 82,000 visitors to Belleek Woods last year. The site also received €150,000 in funding last year for its Pond Rejuvenation Project. Additional support from the DRCDG covered general maintenance, including tending to dangerous trees and leaf blowing. Coillte is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Ireland managing over 300 recreational sites and thousands of individual forest properties nationwide. In Mayo, its other managed sites include Drummin Woods in Foxford, Breaffy and Raheens Woods in Castlebar, and Brackloon Woods in Westport.
Agriland
7 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
E4m Boost for Coillte to Develop New Infrastructure Projects
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) is to invest €4 million in Coillte to support new infrastructure projects by the semi-state forestry company. The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, today (Friday, August 1) said €1.4 million of the new funding boost will be earmarked for the "ongoing cost of repairing storm damaged trails". There were over 100 sites closed because of the damage inflicted by Storm Eowyn earlier this year but 83 of these sites have now reopened with the remaining sites expected to reopen before the end of the year. Minister Calleary said: 'My department's strategic partnership with Coillte is a hugely important one for the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland. "It is essential to ensuring that Coillte sites are in a position to facilitate millions of visitors each year with high quality trails and facilities. "Through our current partnership with Coillte, we are providing up to €15 million over 5 years to maintain and develop Coillte's trail network and recreation amenities around the country". Some of projects that will benefit from the latest rounding of funding include: Glantenassig, Co. Kerry: Final phase of car park and entrance road improvement works – €120,000; Final phase of car park and entrance road improvement works – €120,000; Courtown, Co. Wexford: Repair and renew of spike bridge – €35,000, Repair and renew of spike bridge – €35,000, Belleek, Co. Mayo: Belleek Woods pond improvement works projects – €50,000; Belleek Woods pond improvement works projects – €50,000; Ravensdale, Co. Louth : Replacement of foot bridge – €70,000; : Replacement of foot bridge – €70,000; Woodstock, Co. Kilkenny: Access road repair and redress – €55,000. According to Imelda Hurley, Coillte's chief executive, the funding boost from the government "comes at a critical time". "Our teams have been working tirelessly to restore access, often in extremely challenging conditions. "Their phenomenal efforts have ensured that the majority of our recreational forests have now reopened, enabling communities and visitors to once again enjoy the natural beauty of our forests," Hurley said.
