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From Castlebar - County Mayo - Ken Wright
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. officially opened the Rehins Wood Neighbourwood project on 3 March 2013, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The project, a development of a series of forest walks and car park, is a partnership between Coillte, Mayo County Council with Forestry Service funding. The Taoiseach also unveiled a plaque to the late Minister of State for Forestry Mr. Shane McEntee TD. Officially opening the facilities An Taoiseach said: "This fantastic amenity is the result of a combined effort - it shows what people and organisations can do when they work together towards a common goal. The local community, Mayo County Council, Coillte and the NeighbourWood Scheme operated by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine did great work in creating this wonderful facility." Rehins Wood, owned by Coillte, dates back to the 1840's and the project is aimed at increasing accessibility for recreational users. In keeping with Coillte's core purpose to enrich lives locally, nationally and globally through the innovative and sustainable management of natural resources, there will be emphasis on the ecological interpretation of woodland and local history. Gerard Murphy, Managing Director of Coillte Forest said, "Coillte's belief is that the development of the Rehins Wood Neighbourwood Project will bring more users to the area and contribute to wellbeing of the community. Coillte along with our partners in this project, Mayo County Council, would like to thank An Taoiseach for taking the time to officially open this enhanced forest. This is the type of project we are involved in across the country as we deliver on our commitment to provide places for people to enjoy nature." An Taoiseach also unveiled a plaque to the late Minister Mr. Shane McEntee. The visit to Rehins Wood coincides with the beginning of National Tree Week, a weeklong celebration of the importance that trees form in people's lives. One of the main elements of National Tree week is the planting of over 15,000 trees, donated by Coillte and distributed by local authorities to community groups and schools. In 25 years of this partnership, Coillte has donated over 3500,000 trees to the Tree Council of Ireland for National Tree Week and these trees have become part of the positive legacy of National Tree Week, improving communities and the environment. An Taoiseach took the opportunity to plant a tree in the Mr. McEntee's memory and said: "This public woodland amenity will be enjoyed by the local community now and in the future as a beautiful space in which to take exercise or spend some time in simple reflection. Today we think of an absent friend who made such a huge difference to the development of this project and that is the late Shane McEntee who reopened this scheme last July. I believe planting a tree here in his memory and the unveiling of a plaque to recognise his contribution is a very fitting tribute to his work as Minister of State for Forestry as well as to the great energy, sincerity and kindness he brought to all who knew him." Rehins Wood will also host part of the proposed Westport Castlebar Greenway and is adjacent to Lough Lannagh one of Castlebar's natural amenities.
Rehins Neighbourhood Project is developed by Coillte, in partnership with Mayo County Council and thanks to funding from the forestry service. National Tree Week, the annual weeklong festival that celebrates the positive aspects trees play in our lives is from the 3rd - 9th of March and this year organisers, the National Tree Council of Ireland with the support of Coillte, are inviting people to participate in the various walks, talks and tree planting events taking place across the country.
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