Press Release

On the 29^th April, Pippa Hackett Minister of State for Agriculture with responsibility for land use and biodiversity officially launched the Woodland Festival 2022 “Come see the Wood from the Trees” at the Clonalis Estate, Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

The Woodland Festival will be held on Sunday the 28^th August from 12 noon to 6pm, organised by Western Forestry Co-op. The woodland festival aims to foster a greater awareness of the benefits of trees and woodlands, to focus on woodland management and the amenity aspects of our woods as well as the use of wood in furniture, crafts and building. The day will include live woodland demonstrations in thinning, woodland improvement, sawmilling, timber tasks, wood chipping, beekeeping, hurley maker, chainsaw operators and carving, small scale timber extraction, bushcraft skills, there will be woodland walks & talks, woodland games, information stands, wood products, food, crafts, family entertainment and much more. there will be something for everyone at the Woodland Festival 2022.

Minister Pippa Hackett “A recent survey by my Department showed that three in four of us would like more forests in our country, and more trees planted in our nearest urban area. Trees sequester carbon. They are really important in the fight against climate change. They are also if planted in the right place, great for biodiversity, water quality and recreation. So it is wonderful to launch the Woodland Festival 2022 in Roscommon today. This festival is vital for raising public awareness of our woodlands and the benefits they bring. I encourage everybody that can, to come along to the Clonalis Estate in Castlerea on August 28th“

Marina Conway CEO of Western Forestry Co-op “Western Forestry Co-op are delighted to be bringing the Woodland Festival 2022 to Roscommon, the inaugural Woodland Festival was a huge success with great interest from people to get into the woods and see all the work that goes on in our Irish Woodlands, to immerse themselves in our growing woodland culture and listen and learn from the people who work and manage our different woodland environments, there will be something for everyone at the Woodland Festival”

Richard and Carol-Anne O’Connor Nash, Clonalis Estate “we are delighted to be welcoming the Woodland Festival 2022 to Clonalis. The Woodland Festival hosted by Western Forestry Co-op will celebrate all that’s good about trees and woodlands, a time for people to engage and learn from the woods and its biodiversity. The Clonalis Estate is a living place committed to building a self-sustaining relationship with the land and the house. Our woodlands are an important habitat for wildlife, both flora and fauna and a precious eco-system. Woodlands are wonderful place, in need of our protection, keeping the past alive for present and future generations to enjoy and to protect it for visitors and wildlife alike, definitely worth celebrating“

Kieran Rooney, Plant Manager Masonite Ireland “Masonite are delighted to be involved with the Woodland Festival, which we see as really important in strengthening our wood culture and promoting the many different benefits of trees, including utilising more wood in our homes and providing sustainable jobs in our community”

Keep an eye on our Woodland Festival Website and our  Facebook page for more updates