Forest Clean Up Operation Continues Following Storm Éowyn.
Clean-up efforts are ongoing following the extensive damage caused by Storm Éowyn, which struck Ireland on 24th January. The storm resulted in unprecedented levels of damage to productive, biodiversity, and recreational forests. It is estimated that the total area of forest damage is approximately 24,000 hectares with almost 50% of that on the Coillte estate.
In the months since the storm, Coillte continues to make progress in responding to the significant damage caused to its forest estate, with Coillte staff fully engaged in addressing the aftermath.
While the initial emergency response focused on clearing trees from public roads, the operation has now moved into an intensive clean-up phase.
Immediately following the storm, Coillte was forced to temporarily close over 90 forest recreational areas for public safety. Thanks to the efforts of our teams, over half of these have now been reopened including our twelve forest parks. However, across our 260 recreational forests, 46 sites currently remain closed due to ongoing safety concerns. We understand the importance of these spaces to local communities and outdoor enthusiasts, and we are working hard to reopen them as soon as it is safe to do so.
We ask the public for continued patience and understanding as we carry out this vital work. Updates and reopening timelines will be shared here on our website and on Coillte social media channels as they become available.
In the interest of public safety, Coillte is also urging members of the public not to enter closed forest areas or attempt to access storm-damaged sites, as these may pose serious safety risks due to unstable trees and heavy machinery operations.
Please respect all signage and barriers, and check www.coillte.ie for up-to-date information on site accessibility.
We would also like to remind the public not to approach fallen or overhanging trees as they pose a significant health and safety risks and must only ever be cleared by fully trained experts.
