The RDS-Forest Service Forestry Awards are an important benchmark in Irish forest management. When the awards were initiated in 1987, the main objective was to recognise and reward mainly private woodland owners for good forest management practices. The awards not only covered production forestry but forest owners with biodiversity, aesthetic, social and other objectives were also encouraged to enter.

The two major awards — Farm Forestry and Bio-diverse Forestry — were wide in scope and produced some fascinating winners over the years.

This year, a Community Woodland Award was introduced to encourage and celebrate initiatives by community groups in opening up woodlands mainly for recreational use.

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“Forestry represents a substantial investment by the land owner and proper establishment and appropriate management can provide a return on that investment,” said Tom Hayes, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, who presented the awards this year. “That is why the forestry management skills that are showcased by the awards are so important,” he maintained.

The winner of the Farm Forestry Award was John Keoghan from Threecastles, Co Kilkenny. He beat off strong competition, including the runner-up and past winner Justin Good from Belturbet, Co Cavan.

His forest is located at Carrigeen, in the north west of the county. Planted in 1993, the forest has an area of 50ha.

The area is fertile with free draining mineral soil – it once grew barley – and now produces well stocked, high yielding Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Japanese larch with areas set aside for biodiversity.

Woodland estate

The Bio-Diverse Forestry/Woodlands Award went to Susan Kellett, Enniscoe House, Crossmolina, Co Mayo. Located between the shore of Lough Conn and the Nephin Mountains, the 36ha woodland forms part of an old woodland estate dating to the 18th century. The judges were impressed with the standard of management and how well the new plantation blends with the existing woodland and landscape. Shane’s Castle Estate, Co Antrim was runner-up in the bio-diverse category.

Oakpark Woodland, Co Carlow, won the inaugural Community Woodland Award. Formally the Bruen Estate, Oakpark Woodland is situated on the edge of Carlow town and provides a recreational amenity that includes woodland walks, visitor attractions and multi-ability playground facilities, as well as trails to facilitate visitors with special needs.

In addition to the main award categories, a special Judges’ Award was presented to Matt Fogarty from Nenagh, Co Tipperary. His willingness to pass on his expertise and encourage other growers is of great benefit to the farm forestry community. His plantation, established in 1993, has over 150 different tree species of trees and is regularly used as an educational and recreational resource.

The provincial winners this year were Philip Dawson, Ligan, Co Longford, the Millenium Wood, Abbeyfeale Community Leisure Ltd, Co Limerick, Maura Fitzpatrick, Belturbet, Co Cavan and Belleek Forest Park, Ballina. Learmount Forest, Co Derry, was the runner-up in the Community Woodlands Award, while Ivor Clegg, Mountrath, Co Laois, received the Best New Entrant Award.