Iarnród Éireann plants 2,500 native trees at Portlaoise Depot

Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail has planted 2,500 native Irish trees at its depot in Portlaoise this week. 

The company said the move in Laois marked a significant milestone in its biodiversity and decarbonisation plans and a further ten CIÉ locations identified for planting in 2026.  

The 2,500 trees planted this week form part of Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to establishing 100 acres (40 hectares) of native woodland by 2030, a cornerstone of the company’s broader Sustainability in Motion strategy. With 180 people working at the Portlaoise Depot, the newly planted area will also provide a peaceful outdoor space for staff, enhancing both environmental and wellbeing benefits on site. 

Iarnród Éireann’s tree-management work is supported by the Tree Council of Ireland, whose guidance strengthens ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity, enhance habitat quality, and ensure safe, environmentally responsible vegetation management along more than 4,000 kilometres of railway boundary. 

Many of the species being planted, including oak, birch, willow, cherry, Scots pine, rowan, whitethorn, spindle and Gelder rose, are grown through Iarnród Éireann and CIÉ’s Native Tree Seed Collection Programme, an innovative initiative launched last year.

The programme funds Irish nurseries to collect, process and grow native seeds for future planting across the rail network, landbanks, sidings, and surrounding communities, ensuring a reliable supply of healthy, traceable native trees.  

By investing directly in Irish nurseries, the Native Tree Seed Collection Programme also reduces the risk of imported plant diseases,  strengthens Ireland’s native seed bank, supports local growers and circular economy principles and creates biodiverse habitats across landbanks, sidings, and local communities. 

Iarnród Éireann Director Infrastructure Manager, Éamonn Ballance said: “Today marks an important early step in our long-term plan to grow native Irish trees across our network and support a safer, healthier environment for future generations. These Portlaoise saplings demonstrate both the strength and potential of our Native Tree Seed Collection Programme. We look forward to expanding this initiative in the years ahead.” 

Of the 2,500 trees planted, 250 will form part of the Warriors for Humanity Legacy Forests, conceived by Alan Kerins. The initiative honours individuals who have made significant positive impacts on others’ lives, creating urban and rural green spaces that strengthen biodiversity, environmental resilience and community wellbeing. 

To learn more about Iarnród Éireann’s sustainability goals and strategy, visit irishrail.ie/sustainability.