Mayo farmer shortlisted for RDS Irish Forest and Woodlands Awards

A MAYO farmer has been shortlisted for the RDS Irish Forest and Woodlands Awards.

On May 2 and 3, the RDS in Dublin will host ‘Finding Common Ground’, a festival on biodiversity and sustainability. As part of the two-day event, the RDS Irish Forest and Woodlands Awards, which recognise and reward farmers and woodland owners that have adopted climate-smart agricultural practices on their properties, will take place.

Paul Maguire from Claremorris is among those shortlisted in the Teagasc Farm Forestry Awards category which recognises working farmers who are integrating forestry and farming for environmental, social and economic benefits.

Paul farms 72 acres of forest, made up of Oak 15%, Alder 20%, Birch 30%, Larch 8%, Spruce 25% and Apple 2%. He also keeps dry stock cattle and is a participant in the National Parks and Wildlife Farm Scheme.

An iron smelting furnace has been an integral part of the farm over a number of generations. The newly planted forest is transforming the landscape back to how it may have looked when the furnace was constructed in 1738.

The mature native woodlands, which comprise of 12 acres of the land, was used for wintering cattle and it's these practices that Paul wishes to continue.

Paul has welcomed visitors for more than 15 years, sharing the knowledge of the land, woodland and furnace. He has conducted Social Farming workshops for participants with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Although the land and forestry is privately owned, he will continually open it up to the public for healing, knowledge, woodwork projects and pure enjoyment.

The Finding Common Ground’ festival is being delivered as one of the RDS Foundation social impact programmes. It will incorporate presentations and panel discussions exploring how Ireland can harness the benefits of our natural resources and the circular economy with a view to creating increased awareness, education and identification of solutions to act on.