Nearly 300 people have attended a public meeting in Craughwell, Co Galway, to voice their opposition to the sale of 175 acres of woodland near the village for quarrying purposes.
Moyode wood, part of which is 200 years old, is currently owned by Coillte, but last November the public company told local residents the land and its limestone deposits were for sale.
Since then the Moyode Woodlands Preservation Group has spearheaded a campaign to prevent this from happening.
The meeting was addressed by An Taisce, local TDs, senators and councillors.
Coillte has said no final decision on the sale of the forest has yet been taken and, if and when, such a decision is made there will be full consultation with local residents.
