UPDATE 11.12.’24 @ 6pm: The following forest walks have been reopened – Hazelwood, Glenwood, Benbulben Forest Walk, Deerpark and Tubbercurry Trail.

Many of Sligo’s recreational forest trails suffered significant damage during the weekend as a result of Storm Darragh. These trails include Slish Wood, Hazelwood, Carns Hill, Rathcarrick, Deerpark, Benbulben Forest Walk, Tubbercurry Trail and Queen Maeve Trail on Knocknarea, where the most significant damage took place.

Hundreds of trees have fallen or become unstable, forest paths have been dug up and considerable damage has been caused to the timber boardwalk on Knocknarea. In addition the Coolaney Mountain Bike Centre has also been adversely affected. As a result, the public is being asked to stay away from our forest amenity sites until further notice as repair crews deal with the damage.

“This is the worst damage we have seen in many years,” says Coillte forest manager Brian McGarraghy, who has a team of contractors working at the different locations to remedy the damage. “Some of the forests suffered extensive damage and we would ask members of the public to stay away from our forest walks until further notice.”

Once the storm abated on Saturday last, crews were dispatched to the various sites to assess the damage. Since then, they have been working throughout this week. Some sites have been fully assessed but only preliminary works have taken place elsewhere, so it is important that we check online for updates as further information becomes available. Where Coillte teams are working, temporary signage has been erected to warn the public to stay away from these sites.

 It is hoped that some of the areas can be made safe by next weekend, but members of the public are advised to follow online safety notices before visiting any of our local forests. As well as the fallen trees, many others became unstable following the storm and Coillte, along with their colleagues at Sligo County Council, have been working in very challenging conditions to fell trees that could cause a hazard.

“The public needs to be aware of the dangers and to take on board the safety messages,” says Ray O’Grady of Sligo Walks. “Anyone visiting these forests at this time would be taking a serious risk and potentially putting their own lives in danger. We ask everyone to stay away until the areas have been cleared.”

As well as the forest trails listed above, damage has also been caused at tree lined paths that runs by the shore at Lissadell and on the Warren Way at Castleconnor. Crews are working on the most seriously damaged sites at the moment, but because the damage is extensive countywide, some of these sites may yet be awaiting inspection by repair crews and other sites may yet come to light where damage has been caused. 

Therefore, the advice is as follows: 

Stay away from forest walks until further notice, at least for the remainder of this week and possible longer.

Look out for fallen trees generally or trees that look unstable. In certain cases a fallen tree can affect the stability of neighbouring trees, which may cause them to fall later.

Report fallen or dangerous trees to Coillte.  

Obey the notices that have been placed on gates and entrances at the worst affected areas.