Call for vital upgrades at Galway park after Coillte drops masterplan
After the masterplan for Portumna Forest Park, in County Galway was formally scrapped by Coillte earlier this month, locals are now pushing for small – but vital – upgrades as they highlighted the park’s importance and potential.
When Coillte unveiled its redevelopment proposals for Portumna Forest Park in 2023, the plan included a contemporary visitor hub with retail and café space, a park-wide shuttle service, aerial adventure activities and overnight tourist accommodation.
The now-abandoned masterplan had proposed transforming the forest park into a year-round tourist destination.
In response, the Portumna Forest Park Community Group mobilised to ensure the park would not be reshaped primarily around profit-driven tourism.
Between December 2023 and September 2025, the group carried out a series of community surveys among people who regularly use the park. Almost 1,100 responses were collected.
The findings indicated strong support for more modest elements of the masterplan, such as prioritising biodiversity areas and upgrading basic facilities. Some 55pc of respondents said they visit Portumna Forest Park weekly or daily.
However, earlier this March, Coillte announced they will not proceed with their proposed development plan for Portumna Forest Park.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Maedhbh Gordon of the Portumna Forest Park Community Group said the community now faces the challenge of securing funding for smaller improvements itself while still seeking meaningful engagement with Coillte.
“The world is falling apart at the moment, so the value of that forest park is so important,” she said. “We want to be part of the conversation as we are living right beside the park.”
Among the upgrades urgently needed, Ms Gordon mentioned the park’s existing toilets remain unusable. A temporary pit-latrine style facility was installed to address the shortage, but Ms Gordon said it is inadequate given the level of footfall, particularly when the park hosts marathons, fun runs and other public events.
The original toilet block was installed two years before the park opened to the public in 1978.
The Portumna Forest Park Community Group is calling for full collaboration with Coillte on any future developments and has not ruled out the possibility of a revised masterplan.
Ms Gordon added that the last communication the group received from Coillte prior to March of this year was in January 2025, which has left some residents concerned that any future redevelopment could prioritise economic value over community needs.
Pointing to the derelict Shannon Oaks Hotel on the outskirts of the forest park, Ms Gordon said existing infrastructure could help meet demand for tourist accommodation.
“We were delighted to see the masterplan go, but we don’t want to see the park go unchecked now,” Ms Gordon said.
Meanwhile, Galway East TD Louis O'Hara has urged Coillte to continue close engagement with the Portumna community to deliver smaller improvements despite the collapse of the masterplan.
“These modest improvements being called for by the community can and should go ahead,” Deputy O’Hara said.
“I would urge Coillte to re-engage with the local community and local stakeholders to ensure that these improvements can be made to enhance the experience for all who visit this wonderful local amenity.”
Coillte has given the commitment to continue resotrartion works from Storm Éowyn.