The Pro Silva Ireland Autumn Field Day will be held on Saturday 8th October in Raheen Forest, Tuamgreany, Co. Clare (see directions below).
Meeting Time 11.00 AM
The Raheen forest is situated near the village of Tuamgraney, Scarriff ,East Clare, (see directions below) between the south side of the River Scarriff /lough Derg and the foothills of Slieve Bernagh mountains. The forest area is under William McLysaght’s family ownership for generations and is approximately 200 ha. Half of the estate is currently leased to Coillte for spruce timber production through clearfell/replant. Following a period of inactivity, the private part of the estate resumed management in 2014 (following storm Darwin). The main objective was at the time to rebalance within the forest, conifers and broadleaves through a Close to Nature Management approach with a particular focus on regenerating local Sessile Oak. The forest today is producing commercial timber (softwood saw-log and hardwood firewood) and offers a high structural and species diversity (both conifers and broadleaves) including a 10 hectare section of Ancient Oak Forest currently under conservation management. It also includes a 2 hectare Community Woodland Area and it is a much valued recreational amenity for the local community and local schools.
Forest stops for discussion on the day will include:
- Ancient oak conservation/regeneration management
- Timber production through CCF-selective felling/regeneration of mature conifers/broadleaves
- Early thinning in birch-oak pole stage
- Low impact silvicultural systems (LISS) for spruce timber production.
The day will be led by Pro Silva Ireland committee member Jonathan Spazzi with input from other committee members who actively manage CCF sites around Ireland.
Participants should bring a packed lunch and be dressed for the outdoors!
As usual at Pro Silva Ireland field days we will be collecting a voluntary contribution (suggested as €20) towards the running of field days and other events.
We will also be running our AGM during the lunch interval.
Directions:
If coming from the south or east follow the R436 north from Killaloe/Ballina, past the village of Ogonneloe. The carpark area for Pro Silva Ireland will be signposted locally before the village of Tuamgreaney.
If coming from the west or north follow the R352 from Ennis (west) or Portumna(north), past the village of Tuamgreaney. The carpark area for Pro Silva Ireland will be signposted locally.
For further queries contact: Jonathan Spazzi 086 3408140
