Community hoping to halt controversial planting of forestry beside its only GAA pitch
The local community in Ballycastle is opposing plans to plant a forestry next to the village's only GAA pitch.
Coillte plans to plant the 12.66 hectare site for commercial purposes, with 80pc non-native Sitka spruce and 20pc broadleaf trees. The land was previously used for agriculture.
Residents fear that the forest could harm the environment, with potential effects on water and air quality, biodiversity, and limit the use of the GAA pitch.
Tourism fears: forestry could block Wild Atlantic Way views
The forestry would also block views of Downpatrick Head and Ballycastle's coastline, which the community relies on for tourism and revenue, drawing around 40,000 visitors each year.
"People are coming from all over the world to see this fantastic place, but they want to take from that by putting forestry in the middle," said Sineád Donoghue, a local representative for the Stop the Forestry Committee in Carrowniskey.
"It's the only source of tourism and revenue that we have coming into the village. One of the assets of living rurally is that you've got a beautiful landscape, this will block that for locals in the village and all surrounding areas."
Residents argue that the forestry would detract from the scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way, which they claim contradicts the county's development plan for promoting tourism in the area.
GAA club faces potential ruin from adjacent forest planting
The forestry is going to be planted beside Tom Langan GAA Park and the newly built clubhouse.
Concerns include increased risk of flooding on the training ground, a loss of natural light on the pitch, and a negative impact on views from the clubhouse.
"That's the only sports facility we have in the village, and they want to take that away by planting this forestry," said Ms Donoghue.
She added that the number of midges, already a problem in North Mayo due to the wet soil and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, would increase due to the forestry.
"Children won't be able to train comfortably with the amount of midges there will be. Not only that, but there will be lots of pine needles on the pitch, and it will create more dampness in the ground. It's a big concern. Our only pitch is going to be ruined by this forestry."
The local GAA club appealed the development, arguing the forestry showed "undue regard" for the appearance of the pitch and the newly built clubhouse.
The club also warned that it could increase fire and flooding risks, which could lead to higher insurance costs.
Their appeal stated that the forest would provide habitat for foxes, deer, and badgers, known carriers of TB, and that they could damage fencing and the grounds.
Environmental concerns: Sitka spruce threatens local wildlife
On an environmental level, locals say the forestry brings multiple risks. They point to research showing conifer trees can damage ecosystems through siltation, acidification and eutrophication.
Residents fear Sitka spruce needles will pollute nearby rivers, threatening aquatic life.
"We've got otters, eels and salmon in that river, and they are going to be damaged, they are going to be affected by this forestry going along it," explained Ms Donoghue.
Traffic safety and community impact worries residents
Traffic is another concern, with increased heavy machinery during planting and harvesting passing through the village and the local graveyard.
Residents say this could reduce the safety of walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists, and tourists heading to Downpatrick Head.
"We have been protesting peacefully, and I spoke to the planters, and I was pointing out to them that this development will be right on top of the houses,” said Ms Donoghue.
"They are not taking local people, the environment or the community into consideration. They only care about meeting their plantation targets."
Three-year battle: community appeals process fails
The community has been objecting for nearly three years. Ballycastle already has over 5,000 acres of forestry without previous objections; however, locals argue that this case is different.
"When it is in the heart of our community, on the Wild Atlantic Way, affecting our only sports facility, you can't sit back," said Ms Donoghue.
13 submissions were made opposing the forestry to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The licence was suspended in February 2024 pending appeals. Three appeals, each costing €200, were lodged by the local community, but the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) reinstated the licence in December 2024.
"We are really sick of it, because we are a small village and we shouldn't have to fight so hard for what's right," said Ms Donoghue. "How wrong has something got to be before it's taken seriously and stopped?"
A petition against the development gathered 445 signatures on Change.org. The estimated population of Ballycastle is 350, which highlights the widespread concern about forestry across Mayo.
The campaign has drawn political attention. Last week, councillor Jarlath Munnelly called on the Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae, to meet with residents, following a similar call from Deputy Paul Lawless in July.
In July, Minister Healy-Rae declined the call from Deputy Lawless, stating he did not want to give the community false hope, saying Coillte had followed all necessary procedures.
Deputy Healy-Rae said: "At the end of the day, the horse has bolted. The majority of the work undertaken is actually finished. I have every sympathy for the locals involved. I have no business meeting somebody if I cannot change what is there."
Local councillor Jarlath Munnelly has called on Deputy Healy-Rae to meet with residents directly, following a similar call from Deputy Lawless in July. Photo: Getty
Coillte responds: environmental assessment claims compatibility
In response to comments made by the local community in Ballycastle, Coillte stated that the licence application process included a detailed environmental assessment to ensure the establishment of the new forest is fully compatible with locally important wildlife and habitats.
"Coillte purchased this site for the purposes of afforestation. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine approved this project and issued an afforestation licence that was subsequently appealed. The Forestry Appeals Committee heard the appeal and substantiated the original afforestation licence, so Coillte proceeded to plant the site."
"Coillte's local management team recently met with several members of the Ballycastle local committee to discuss the ongoing afforestation project in Ballycastle. At this meeting, a number of concerns were raised by the committee regarding this project.
“These same issues had already been raised through the public consultation process associated with the original afforestation determination made by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM); and subsequently as part of the appeals process considered by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC).
“The FAC took the local concerns and submissions into consideration before making its final determination to confirm the original decision by DAFM to approve this project.
“In this regard, we understand that the FAC published a very detailed response to each of the concerns raised by members of the local community, pertaining to the potential impacts of the afforestation project on water, landscape, wildlife, fire risk and road infrastructure. Subsequent to this decision being made, Coillte commenced operations on the site, and the site is now fully cultivated and already partially planted.”
At the recent meeting, Coillte committed to the committee that it will work to ensure that adequate open space will be left adjacent to the football field with an appropriate buffer of slower growing hardwood trees. It will also work with the Ballycastle community to enhance the recreation potential of this site and other properties it has in the Ballycastle area that the local community may wish to see developed.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.