Sir, - I refer to Ms Penny Eustace's letter of April 27th about Inchagoill Island. Coillte completed a major woodland restoration project on the island in 1998. The work involved converting the existing conifer woodland managed for timber production into a native broadleaf woodland which will be managed for the bio-diversity value of the ecosystem. Existing broadleaf trees were retained and thousands of new trees planted. This project, which was carried out in consultation with local interests, has been very well received.
Inevitably, given the scale of the restoration project which entailed harvesting 7,000 tonnes of timber from 13 hectares of land over a period of five months, there has been some temporary impact on the environment of the island. Much of the essential restoration work was completed in 1998, but regrettably the storm at Christmas resulted in many of the older broadleaf trees being blown over. This outcome vindicated the decision to harvest and replace the previous crop, which was susceptible to being blown also due to its age and location. Work is in progress to clear paths and replace amenity furniture and signage on the island. This work will be completed by mid-May. We look forward to welcoming many visitors to Inchagoill again during this coming summer and invite them to see this restoration project for themselves. - Yours, etc., Vivian Ryan, Western Region Manager, Coillte,
Merchant's Road, Galway.