'Unprecedented impact' of Storm Éowyn dalays Laois Coillte development

Coillte says the “unprecedented impact” of Storm Éowyn in January resulted in delays to its trail head buildings. 

The planned buildings, including one at Baunreagh in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Laois, are designed to enhance the experience for those using the mountain biking and walking trails through the mountains. 

According to Coillte, the Storm Éowyn caused so much damage to its forests that trails were closed until early summer. 

The planned trail head building in Bunreagh was granted planning permission by Laois County Council in February of 2023.  The development will be located 4.3kms North East of Camross. 

The single storey ‘National Mountain Bike Trail Head Building’ will include a Café, Bike Hire Facility and toilets along with ancillary and all associated site works. 

The project includes provision for the construction of a new wastewater treatment system, a new car park area which will include electric charging facilities, a bore well and a bike wash area along with associated site works.

It has plans for trail head buildings at Baunreagh (Laois), Ballinastoe (Wicklow), Ballyhoura (Limerick), Coolaney (Sligo) and Ticknock (Dublin).  Planning permission for the Laois trail head development expires in 2028. 

The Leinster Express/Laois Live contacted Coillte to enquire about storm damage to the trails and the plans for the trail head development. 

In response, Coillte said:  "Coillte is pleased to confirm that all sections of the Slieve Bloom trails reopened to the public by early summer 2025, following significant damage caused by Storm Éowyn in January this year.” 

"However, they stated that “the unprecedented impact of Storm Éowyn on the Coillte forest estate has resulted in some delays to the development of trail head buildings.

Picture above: An image of the proposed development at Baunreagh

"However, we are progressing plans, including exploring funding opportunities to enable the development of trailhead buildings at each of our mountain bike trail centres, and we’re on target to have these plans finalised by early 2026," Coillte said. 

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Planning permission has been granted for 72 kilometres of  mountain biking trails across Laois and Offaly, with 40 kms of these trails located in Laois.