The official opening of Rehins Wood Neighbourwood project will take place on Sunday, March 3, at 2pm by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
The ceremony will include the unveiling of a plaque by An Taoiseach in memory of the late Minister of State for Forestry Shane McEntee and a guided walk of the area.
The area will host part of the proposed Westport Castlebar greenway and is adjacent to Lough Lannagh, one of Castlebar’s natural amenities.
At the end of 2012 Coillte, in partnership with Mayo County Council and thanks to funding from the forestry service, developed a car park and forest walks through the site.
The opening coincides with National Tree Week and An Taoiseach will also plant a tree in memory of his late colleague in government.
It is envisaged that with this increased accessibility the woodland will become multifunctional providing for recreational users such as walkers, cyclists, and orienteering as well as for schools and colleges pursuing educational purposes with an emphasis on the ecological interpretation of woodland and local history. The Rehins Wood project is a priority action in the current Co Mayo Heritage Plan (2011-2016 ).
