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Bord Bia Bloom's favourite forest
This year's Bord Bia Bloom festival aimed to inspire its 100,000 + visitors to take positive actions towards a healthier, more environmentally conscious world. With this theme and the perfect sunny weather, the Irish Tree Explorers Network (ITEN) picked the ideal stage to kick-start their new project
Based in Bloom's conservation area, the ITEN marquee was full of engaging activities and materials, from a microscope looking at plant tissue cells to carnivorous plants, gigantic tree seed pods and tree-themed postcards. Over the five jam-packed days, visitors were asked to vote for their favourite forest/woodland/park. The votes were counted and verified, with 365 votes cast.
The Results
The results are in, and we are thrilled to announce the top contenders in our recent poll. With 3.29% votes each, in joint 3rd place, we have the captivating Rossmore Park, EMO Court and Gardens, and Woodstock Park.
Rossmore Park located in County Monaghan, is a true natural wonder that captivates all who visit. Spanning an impressive 320 hectares, the park boasts a rich history dating back over 5,000 years, with the remarkable remnants of megalithic tombs and a Bronze Age artefact within its bounds.
For more information: Rossmore Forest Park - Coillte
EMO Court and Gardens located in County Laois, combines heritage, art, and nature. The estate's grounds unfold with a woodland walk, statues, and a 20-acre lake. The gardens are divided into two distinct areas: The Cluker and The Grapery. The Cluker boasts rare specimen trees and glades adorned with vibrant azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias. The Grapery, an arboretum, showcases a diverse array of tree species, including Wellingtonias, Damson Plum Tree, and Golden Hornet Apple Tree, among many others.
For more information: Emo Court and Estate | Heritage Ireland
Woodstock Park, nestled in the heart of County Kilkenny. The park is home to an arboretum which contains exotic trees such a Monkey Puzzle Tree. The Park also contains formal and informal gardens, including a terraced garden, a Yew walk and a rose garden. Originally designed in the Victorian era, the gardens feature exotic trees and rare shrubs from around the world. Furthermore, the park is home to an impressive arboretum.
For more information: Home - Woodstock House & Gardens
In a close second with 4.19% of the votes, Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow takes the stage, boasting an impressive tree collection and woodland services. Visitors to Avondale Forest Park can explore a variety of trails, including the River Walk and the Cairn Walk. The Cairn Walk passes through remaining experimental plots of trees that were planted during the Great Tree Experiment in the early 20th century. Additionally, the park is home to a grove of majestic Sequoia (Giant Redwood) trees. For a panoramic view of the surrounding woodland, be sure to visit the Treetop Walk & Viewing Tower.
For more information: Avondale Forest Park - Coillte
In 1st place with 5.69% of votes, Donadea Forest Park, a 243-hectare mixed woodland park located in northwest County Kildare, secured the first-place position. This expansive natural haven, formerly part of the Aylmer family estate, boasts a rich historical legacy, featuring the remains of Donadea Castle, gardens, a church, and a boathouse. Additionally, the park is home to a poignant 9/11 Memorial, dedicated to Sean Tallon, a young Irish American firefighter who tragically lost his life in the attacks.
For more information: Donadea Forest Park - Coillte
What is the ITEN project?
No matter your interests, background, age or abilities, the Irish Tree Explorers' Network wants everyone to know about the importance of trees. Partnered with OPW, Coillte and the Tree Council of Ireland, ITEN is developing digital engagement tools accessible across a national network of living tree collections to engage the public with STEM topics. The project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland until 2025. It combines plant science and horticulture with environmental humanities to encourage engagement. This interdisciplinary approach is essential in inspiring people to take responsibility and action as we grapple with era-defining global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity.
Top ten tree benefits
- Social benefits- trees positively impact mental health and well-being, reducing stress and encouraging creativity, socialising and outdoor exercise.
- Improve biodiversity- trees provide food and shelter for many animals and plant species.
- Economic benefits- trees can increase retail sales and property values.
- Medicines, food and wood- essential medicines such as Paclitaxel comes from trees. They provide fruits and nuts and the critical material used in many aspects of human life, wood.
- Cultural benefits- trees often inspired the earliest Irish poets and are featured throughout Irish history and folklore.
- Flood mitigation- trees soak up rainwater, reducing runoff and damage from flooding.
- Carbon sequestration- trees capture and store atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- Erosion control- trees provide a canopy that intercepts rainfall and roots that bind the soil together.
- Improve water quality- trees reduce sediment and nutrient pollution entering waterways.
- Temperature control- trees cool areas in the summer through shading and warm areas in the winter by reducing wind speeds.
What can you do this summer to engage with trees?
Why not pick a local tree to connect with? Work out what species it is and read about its natural and cultural heritage. Use a tape measure to estimate its age and size (https://youtu.be/B867JqK1lnw). Enjoy its shade and observe what other species use it for food and shelter. Write a poem about the tree, draw or paint it, or use parts of the tree you find on the ground to create your masterpiece! Try propagating the tree for future generations to enjoy.
The ITEN Team
Based at UCC, the team includes Dr Eoin Lettice, Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich, Emma Hutchinson and Vicky Knight from the School of BEES and Prof. Claire Connolly from the School of English and Digital Humanities.
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To keep up with project news and updates, follow iten_ucc on Twitter and Instagram and the Irish Tree Explorers Network on Facebook.