The Society of Irish Foresters visit the forest plantation at the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow.
Consisting largely of Douglas Fir planted around 1927 and stretching to around 60 feet high, the forest at the Glen of Imaal is increasing in size at a rate of 300 cubic feet a year per acre.
One of the biggest forestry plantations in the country.
A bus full of people are taking a tour of the forest led by Niall Morris of the Society of Irish Foresters. The total area of the forest is 2,500 acres accounting for about 120 million cubic feet of timber. The total forested land in the country now runs to half a million acres. Since the establishment of forestry in 1904, there has been an investment of between 25 and 30 million pounds.
Professor Clear, one of the leading forestry authorities in the country gives his impression on the plantation at the Glen of Imaal. He describes it as a moderate plantation for its age. While Douglas Fir is not one of the most important species, it could be the most valuable timber tree. Professor Clear says that the purpose of the tour is to educate foresters from different parts of the country where there are different types of forestry plantations. Visiting different forests helps keeps academia up to date with developments on the ground throughout the country. Professor Clear is optimistic about the future of forestry and the timber industry in Ireland. At present, around 25,000 acres of forestry is being planted every year.
Paddy Connell is from the area and remembers a time before the forest had been planted. From 1914 to 1918, the land was used as a camp base for British soldiers. Paddy Connell has watched the trees grow from saplings into the established forest that exists today.
Chief Research Officer of the Forestry Division Mr Owen Mooney outlines the key objectives of the Forestry Society.
We hope to advance the knowledge of forestry by means of forestry tours abroad and at home.
The society also publishes a technical journal which is published twice a year. This particular tour will continue from the Glen of Imaal to Cahir in Tipperary, and on to Galway and Sligo and finishing off in County Tyrone.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 May 1963. The reporter is Kevin O'Kelly.
