merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today officially opened the Rehins Wood Neighbourwood project, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The project, a development of a series of forest walks and car park, is a partnership between Coillte, Mayo County Council with Forestry Service funding. The Taoiseach also unveiled a plaque to the late Minister of State for Forestry Mr. Shane McEntee TD.

Officially opening the facilities An Taoiseach said:

This fantastic amenity is the result of a combined effort - it shows what people and organisations can do when they work together towards a common goal. The local community, Mayo County Council, Coillte and the NeighbourWood Scheme operated by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine did great work in creating this wonderful facility.

Rehins Wood, owned by Coillte, dates back to the 1840’s and the project is aimed at increasing accessibility for recreational users. In keeping with Coillte’s core purpose to enrich lives locally, nationally and globally through the innovative and sustainable management of natural resources, there will be emphasis on the ecological interpretation of woodland and local history.

An Taoiseach took the opportunity to plant a tree in the Mr. McEntee’s memory and said:

This public woodland amenity will be enjoyed by the local community now and in the future as a beautiful space in which to take exercise or spend some time in simple reflection. Today we think of an absent friend who made such a huge difference to the development of this project and that is the late Shane McEntee who reopened this scheme last July. I believe planting a tree here in his memory and the unveiling of a plaque to recognise his contribution is a very fitting tribute to his work as Minister of State for Forestry as well as to the great energy, sincerity and kindness he brought to all who knew him.

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