Coillte asks people to stay out of its woodlands in Laois and Offaly

Members of the public are being asked not to enter Coillte forests in Laois or Offaly following Storm Éowyn. 

The advice will mean the Slieve Blooms will be largely off limits to walkers and cyclists until Coillte has deemed the area safe. 

Coillte manages vast swathes of forestry in the Slieve Blooms in Laois and Offaly including at beauty spots like Glenbarrow and Kinnitty. It also manages the cycling and walking trails through the mountains. Other Coillte forests are located at beauty spots across Laois. 

The advice from Coillte was issued for Laois, Offaly and a further 15 counties as the storm clean up continues.  

“Coillte staff are working hard to clear storm damaged trees across its forest estate as a priority and to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. 

Hazards arising from storm damage may not be visible and it will take time to assess and treat damaged areas.

As a result, Coillte asks members of the public to not enter forests in the following counties: Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath until further notice.”

Coillte asked people to stay away from forests in these counties and also in other areas where they are operating. 

“Where operations are ongoing in forests in other areas to clear storm damage, we ask visitors not to approach any operations during this time,” Coillte said.