Coillte to turn over a new leaf in Dublin Mountains

THE Dublin Mountains are set for a familyfriendly make-over this summer with the largest forest transformation project of its kind ever carried out in Ireland.

The state forestry company, Coillte, is to transform nine commercial forests into recreational areas for the public. Some of that will involve replacing conifer plantations with native woodland following complaints that pine trees contain very few habitats for wildlife and have replaced Ireland’s native forests, which were rich in birds and animals.

More than 600,000 people visit the Dublin Mountain forests every year, making them some of the most visited outdoor attractions in the country.

Today, these and other privately owned forests in the area are among the most important recreational sites for people seeking fresh air and green space, especially as lockdown restrictions began to ease further later this summer.

Until now, Coillte has managed these areas primarily for commercial purposes. However, it now intends to make those forests available to the public, while also creating habitats for wildlife to thrive.

The project will take many years to complete.

Dr Ciarán Fallon, director of Coillte Nature, the new section of the organisation devoted to such projects, is hoping the project will have significant benefits for nature, public health and wellbeing in the long term.

He said it would help rehabilitate biodiverse habitats and help manage them in the long run.

Coillte owns approximately half of the forests in the Dublin Mountains, with the other half owned privately.

The nine Coillte forests cited for conversion are Ticknock, Kilmashogue, Ballyedmonduff, Massy’s Wood, Hell Fire Club, Cruagh, Tibradden, Barnaslingan and Carrickgollogan.

Areas around Fairycastle and Tibradden mountain, which are important breeding habitats for birds, such as the endangered red grouse, are also to be transformed.

The Hell Fire Club is a popular site for Dubliners and offers a variety of short forest walks. The site is located on Montpelier Hill, overlooking the capital. Nearby Cruagh is 522 metres above sea level and offers striking views over the city.