Tullamore woodland identified in report set to shape Ireland's National Restoration Plan

Woodlands in Tullamore have been identified as one of Ireland’s most important areas for future nature restoration under a major new environmental project linked to European Union biodiversity targets.

The Environmental Pillar’s Restore Nature: Native Woodlands report has highlighted an area south of Tullamore, including Charleville Wood, as having strong potential for restoring and expanding native woodland.

The project aims to help Ireland decide where efforts to restore forests and wildlife habitats should be focused as part of the country’s National Restoration Plan, which is being developed under new EU nature restoration laws.

The Tullamore woodland area is one of 29 priority sites identified across the country.

Of those, 14 have been singled out as offering the greatest opportunities for large-scale restoration because of their size, environmental importance and the possibility of linking existing woodland together.

The report says the Tullamore cluster covers almost 15 square kilometres, with around 2.5 square kilometres already made up of native woodland.

At its heart is Charleville Wood, one of Ireland’s best-known ancient oak woodlands and a protected Special Area of Conservation.

Although there is only a small amount of public land beside the woodland that could be restored immediately, the report says the area is still an important part of Ireland’s long-term plans to reconnect and expand native forests.

Researchers say restoring woodland in places like Tullamore would create larger, healthier habitats for wildlife, improve biodiversity and help Ireland meet its climate and environmental commitments.

Across Ireland, the project identified more than 2,200 square kilometres of native woodland habitat.

Much of this is already on, or beside, publicly owned land managed by organisations such as Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Bord na Móna, making restoration work easier to carry out.

The report also says reconnecting woodland habitats could benefit protected species, including the lesser horseshoe bat, by allowing wildlife to move more easily between forests.

While the report identifies the Tullamore area as a promising location for restoration, it says detailed ecological studies would need to be carried out before any work begins to ensure existing habitats and wildlife are protected.

The findings will help shape Ireland’s National Restoration Plan as the country works towards meeting new EU targets for restoring nature over the coming decades.