COILLTE directory

Coillte is Ireland's state-owned forestry company and one of the country's largest landowners, managing approximately 440,000 hectares of land—about 7% of Ireland. Established in 1989, Coillte's primary business is sustainable forestry, including the planting, growing, protection, management and harvesting of forests. At the same time, its extensive landholding provides significant public benefits through recreation, biodiversity conservation, climate action, renewable energy and the protection of cultural and natural heritage.

Coillte is Ireland's largest provider of outdoor recreation, managing approximately 260 recreation sites, 12 forest parks and more than 3,000 kilometres of waymarked walking trails. Its recreation estate encompasses forests, mountains, bogs, rivers, lakes and coastal landscapes, providing opportunities for a wide range of outdoor pursuits.

Recreational activities on Coillte properties include walking and hiking, mountain biking, recreational cycling, orienteering, camping, picnicking, nature watching, horse riding, fishing, hunting and deer stalking, boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, rowing, swimming and other watersports. Selected locations also offer ziplining and aerial trails, treetop walks, playgrounds and other visitor attractions. Coillte forests are additionally used for organized outdoor events, photography and filming, and a variety of other permitted recreational and educational activities.

Mountain biking represents an important component of Coillte's recreation program. The company has developed a national network of dedicated cycling facilities, including purpose-built mountain-bike centres and extensive off-road cycling trails. Major mountain-bike destinations on Coillte land include Ballinastoe and Ticknock in County Wicklow, Ballyhoura in Counties Limerick and Cork, Derroura in County Galway, Coolaney in County Sligo and Slieve Bloom in Counties Laois and Offaly. Coillte's cycling network includes family and leisure routes as well as more demanding mountain-bike trails through rugged and mountainous terrain.

Access arrangements vary according to the activity and location. Coillte operates an open-forest policy under which individuals may walk and hike throughout its forests, while cycling is permitted on routes specifically waymarked for cycling. Horse riding, organized activities, events, guiding, commercial activities and other forms of access generally require permission or a permit. Motorized access also requires a permit. Visitors are expected to follow Coillte's access conditions, respect other forest users, observe signage and diversions, and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Coillte's recreation estate exists alongside active commercial forestry operations. Forest roads and trails can therefore be affected by harvesting, planting, storm damage, fire risk and other forestry activities. Temporary closures and diversions may be necessary, and visitors are expected to follow on-site signs and alternative routes. Coillte also reserves the right to close forests or recreation sites during hazardous conditions, including periods of extreme weather and high forest-fire risk.

Coillte works with local authorities, community organizations, sporting bodies, clubs and specialist recreation organizations to develop and maintain recreational facilities. Mountain-bike trails may therefore have local clubs or trail organizations involved in construction, maintenance, events and advocacy, while Coillte remains the underlying land manager. Coillte also welcomes proposals for new recreational infrastructure, including trails and picnic facilities.