The Callacoon Woodland Project

Thomas Reidy of The Callacoon Woodland Project talks about their forestry experience link

Well, I've personally always been interested in trees. I remember as a young lad, when I was about seven or eight, collecting a bunch of seeds in my garden, sycamore seeds and conkers, and planting them. I grew them into trees and then planted them out in my garden. So, from a young age, I've had an interest in trees. Paul Butler and a few core members became aware that the land was for sale, and they conceived the idea of purchasing it and planting it. They got several people to invest in it or to donate money, and that's how it started.

The reason we opted for native woodland was for biodiversity, not as a kind of cash crop to produce wood. We wanted to increase the local biodiversity in the area, and I think that's why the other members subscribed to it. It wasn't, you know, a money-making exercise. It was to plant native woodland in Ireland. I think Ireland is one of the countries in Europe with the least native woodland, and we wanted to do something small to rectify that. Well, I mean, obviously, it's only a few hectares, so it's not going to make a difference at a macro level, but we were hoping to maybe set an example to other people that they could plant their land and increase biodiversity. The fact that there's native woodland growing would help native species of insects and small mammals.

Well, I would definitely advise others to go ahead and do this. Even if you have a farm, you know, you can generate extra income, and then you would get firewood from the thinnings. Recently, research showed that farm animals such as sheep actually thrive better when there are trees on the land. Even in terms of shelter, you know, when they're lambing, the lambing season comes, they can shelter. This project is a good amenity for the local community. People who are not part of the project have come to visit and seen our beehive, for example, and I suppose have come to appreciate it. You know we're hoping it'll spark an interest in them that they might go ahead and do the same thing themselves, even in terms of planting a corner of their garden, for example.

It's a very easy application process. Well, I would advise them to go ahead and do it. I don't think they have much to lose and there's so much to gain in terms of the amenity value and the biodiversity. We've had this project since autumn 2020, and it's incredible to see how much the trees have grown and how much it has turned into a forest. I'm really proud of the fact that I got involved, and I'm very happy that I can bring my children out here, and they like it. It's something I feel we can pass on to a future generation.