Digital Tools
There are many online tools available to the public related to woodlands and forestry, the majority of which are map-based and can help the user with a multitude of tasks.
We have compiled this list to provide quick access for foresters, ecologists, GIS specialists, community groups and the general public. These resources are currently free to use.
MAP APPLICATIONS
Land Direct
Determining property folio, size of land parcel, bordering lands, forestry
https://www.landdirect.ie/pramap/
Townlands (Baronies, Parishes, Placenames)
https://www.townlands.ie
Forestry Licence viewer
Determine the potential clear fell or afforestation bordering a site
https://flv.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/
Ireland Interactive Forest Map and Tree Coverage Data
https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/country/IRL/
EPA Maps
Allows the user to draw an area and export the map. Tools > graphic data > Measure area
https://gis.epa.ie/EPAMaps
NPWS
Maps and data from National Parks and Wildlife
https://www.npws.ie/maps-and-data
NPWS GIS maps
https://npws.maps.arcgis.com/home/gallery.html?sortField=relevance&sortOrder=desc
Geohive (Tailte Ireland)
This is Ireland’s Geospatial Data Hub, enabling search, view and access to the key geospatial information. Historical maps, potential ancient woodlands, wells, sweathouses etc.
https://www.geohive.ie/
Ancient and Long Established Woodland Inventory 2010
Map of Ireland’s current oldest woodland
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e6da11a2a9804664a428315bcd105260
Windthrow Model
This model provides estimates of windthrow risk.
https://www.coford.ie/toolsservices/windthrow/#:~:text=The%20model%20predicts%20the%20probability,by%20the%20specified%20top%20height.
Irish Semi-natural grassland Survey map - 2013
https://npws.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?layers=e9d372cb89f74eefac15a7a3e4e15937
Flora (Protection) Order 2022 map viewer
The NPWS Flora (Protection) Order 2022 Map Viewer web application shows records for Vascular Plants, Charophytes and Lichens listed in and legally protected under the (Flora (Protection) Order 2022).
https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a41ef4e10227499d8de17a8abe42bd1e
Flood maps
Flooding probabilities
https://www.floodinfo.ie/map/floodmaps/
HISTORICAL MAPS
The Down Survey
A survey of Irish townlands by WIlliam Petty that was concluded in 1659, and restricted to forfeited land in Ulster, Leinster and most of Munster.
https://www.downsurvey.ie/down-survey-maps/
The Down Survey - interactive
The survey has been recreated in GIS to enable interaction, and showing the names and religion of individual landowners at the time.
https://www.downsurvey.ie/historical-gis/
Irish Townland and Historical Map Viewer
https://osi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bc56a1cf08844a2aa2609aa92e89497e
National Library of Ireland
A catalogue of digitised maps
https://catalogue.nli.ie/Search/Results?lookfor=carlow&type=AllFields&filter%5B%5D=topic_facet%3A%22Land+use+surveys%22&filter%5B%5D=topic_facet%3A%22Boundaries+%28Estates%29%22&view=list
Map Collections at UCD and on the Web: Historic Maps - All Island Ireland
https://libguides.ucd.ie/findingmaps/mapshistIreland
Map Collections at UCD and on the Web: Historic Maps - Carlow to Wicklow
https://libguides.ucd.ie/findingmaps/mapshistoriccounties
Historic Monument Viewer
https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8
Old Maps of Ireland (From 15th to 21st Century)
https://www.revisitinghistory.com/maps/old-maps-of-ireland/
A Survey & Plan of the Demesne of Clogremman situated in the Queens County & County of Carlow the Estate of John Rochfort by Thos. Evers. 1774
https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000301893
OTHER USEFUL APPLICATIONS & LINKS
Ireland's National Forest Inventory
The purpose of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) is to record and assess the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private. The NFI is a periodic survey of permanent forest sample plots based on a randomised systematic grid sample design.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/823b8-irelands-national-forest-inventory/
WHAT3WORDS
When it’s hard to describe where you are in an emergency, you only need to read out three words for 999 to know exactly where to find you. Used by forest managers when using dangerous machinery as part of the safety procedure.
https://what3words.com
Tree Check
TreeCheck is a web based App that enables members of the public throughout the island of Ireland to use their smart phones or computers to report details and send photographs of evidence of suspect disease or evidence of insect damage on trees to DAFM or DAERA for investigation. For operational reasons TreeCheck is currently not available in Northern Ireland.
https://www.treecheck.net/twa-ui/#/public/report
Logainm (Placenames)
Irish/Gaeilge translation to determine historical data of a location, this can help in determining pre existing ancient woodland cover eg. Coill = Hazel, Doire = Oak
https://www.logainm.ie
National Tree Week - Biosecurity of our Trees
https://www.nationaltreeweek.ie/biosecurity-of-our-trees