Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins commemorated 25 years of Terryland Forest Park at a celebration in Galway City today.
The ‘Green Lungs’ of Galway City were planted in early 2000, over the course of a single day in March. Over 3,000 people arrived in an empty field that morning and left having planted a forest.
The event recognised the dedication and commitment of Galway City Council Recreation and Amenity staff, volunteers from Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park, and President Higgins, who, as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht at the time, secured funding for the nascent forest project.
Terryland Forest Park was the largest urban neighbourhood forest project in the history of the Irish State when it opened to the public for the first time in March 2000.
President Higgins said at the commemoration, “We celebrate today the important milestone that is the 25th anniversary of the opening of Terryland Forest Park.”
“Owned and managed by Galway City Council and assisted by Tuatha volunteers, today Terryland Forest Park represents a wonderful urban mosaic of woods, meadows, wetlands and other natural habitats that also serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory for schools and universities.”
“As well as educational and recreational amenity value, the park also helps the country to meet its international commitments in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises by acting as a carbon sink and wildlife sanctuary.”
“May the Poet’s Trail and Terryland Park continue to be a source of recreation, well-being, and perhaps even transcendence for years to come.”
As part of the commemoration, President Higgins planted an oak tree in the very spot he previously planted a King Oak 25 years ago, which was knocked down by Storm Eowyn.
The event was attended by President Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins; Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane, TDs, Elected Members of Galway City Council, staff from Recreation and Amenity in Galway City Council, volunteers from Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park and children from teachers and pupils from St. Nicolas’ Parochial School, Castlegar National School and Scoil San Phroinsias.
Artwork from children in the three schools, imagining the future of the forest from 25 years ago, was displayed alongside contemporary artwork from the same three schools depicting how the native woodland of today would evolve into the future.
The King Oak that came down during Storm Eowyn was transformed into five pieces of art by Galway-based artist Tommy Carew.
Mayor Keane commented, “Terryland Forest Park was the first public park in Ireland designed with public participation and represented a wonderful proactive partnership between stakeholders.”
“The park became an ‘ecological corridor’ for wildlife connecting the Corrib waterways through the city to the farmlands of east Galway. In a time of an interconnecting global climate and biodiversity crisis, the role of this park has never been more crucial.”
“The planting of the new oak tree honours the work of past generations in bringing the woodland to fruition, while symbolising hope for the next generation to take up the mantle and heralding the next 25 years of Terryland Forest Park.”
