Coillte had a very successful day at this years RDS Forestry Awards. The awards celebrate the best livestock and forestry producers in the country and the winners were revealed at a ceremony in the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin on 3rd March.
Three categories were entered with four entries (1) The Community Forest Award (2) The Multipurpose Forestry Award and (3) The Farm Forestry Award.
The Community Forest Award
The Community Forest award was a joint entry between Coillte and ‘The Castlecomer Discovery park’. The area in question is the old Wandesford estate on the edge of Castlecomer town. This entry took first place and the award was received by Michael Brooke of the Castlecomer Development Group, Fergal Leamy, CEO of Coillte and Mick Power, Coillte.
The Multipurpose Forestry Award
The Multipurpose Forestry award carried two entries from Coillte, 1. Portumna Forest park presented by Pat Lyons and Paul Ruane 2. Knockbarron Forest, Co. Offaly presented by Ger Buckley
Portumna Forest park took first place and Knockbarron took second place. The awards were received by Pat Lyons, Paul Ruane, Ger Buckley, Gerard Murphy and Fergal Leamy, CEO of Coillte.
The Farm Forestry Award
The Farm Forestry award was entered by Michael Donnellan of Coillte on behalf of Farm Partner Patrick Bowes. This is an excellent high quality plantation in Galway which is managed by Coillte. This entry received second place and the award was received by Patrick Bowes, Farm Partner and Michael Donnellan of Coillte.