RDS Irish Forestry Awards

By Donal Magner

08 January 2005 : Kilkenny and Cork shared the top two prizes in the 2004 RDS Irish Forestry Awards which were presented recently at Farmleigh House. In addition to the forestry competition, the RDS presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Fergal Mulloy for his contribution to Irish forestry. This special award was proposed by the RDS in 2004 to mark the centenary of Irish forestry.

John Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food - who presented the awards - paid tribute to Fergal Mulloy for this contribution to Irish forestry, "which has continued for over four decades in both a public and a private capacity.'' He said that Mr Mulloy raised public awareness of forestry in the "1960s and 1970s through lectures, demonstrations, radio and TV interviews and continued his involvement in a number of major initiatives.'' The Minister commended Mr. Mulloy on his many achievements "in national, European and international forestry bodies such as COFORD, the Tree Council of Ireland, the European Forest Institute and COST, the EU Co-operation in Science and Technology Group.'' He also praised him for his involvement in the establishment of the Millennium Forest Project.

The Farm Forestry Award went to Noel and Martha Copley of Kilmanagh, Co Kilkenny. Michael O'Brien, one of the competition judges, said that the Copley forest was managed to the highest standard and combined commercial and environmental objectives. He said that the main species - ash and spruce - were managed to the highest standard and would produce the highest quality timber over time. Minister Browne congratulated the Copleys and said that their forest satisfied all the criteria of sustainable forest management. Pat McDermott of the RDS also praised the Copleys for allowing other growers to visit their forest to see at first hand, good silvicultural practices and management techniques.

The Merit Award in this category went to Justin Goode, Co Cavan while Mr Aidan Murray, Kilmessan, Co Meath and Mr James Bennett, Mountrath, Co Laois, both received recommendations.

The Bio-Diverse Forest/Woodlands Award went to Coillte for their management of Glengarriff Wood, Co Cork. Glengarriff Wood, originally established in 1807, was planted in the 1950s with conifer species when the State acquired the land. The plantation reached maturity in 2000 and was clearfelled over a two-year period. However, instead of reforesting the area with conifers, Coillte implemented a plan to convert the existing forest from conifer to native woodland and increase the bio-diverse value of the area. Much of this has been achieved by planting mainly oak seedlings and by encouraging natural regeneration. The Bio-Forest Merit Award was presented to Patrick J. Keane, Co Clare.

Organised by the RDS and sponsored by the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture and Food, the Forestry Awards are now in there 17th year. However, the President of the RDS, Dr. Austin Mescal reminded the large attendance that "the RDS historic involvement in the development of Irish forestry goes back to 1740 when the Society first introduced forestry grants.'' Minister Browne praised the work of the Society and stated: "I am delighted with the work of the RDS, as supported by the Forest Service, in continuing to promote forestry standards in Ireland through these awards.''

The Irish Forestry Awards will take place again in 2005 and application forms will be available from September onwards. However, farmers with plantations who wish to receive details sooner can contact Pat McDermott at 01-2407215 or email patrick.mcdermott@rds.ie.