Woodlands of Ireland hosts events on assorted topics related to native woodlands in Ireland. We will have a selection of in-person events and workshops as well as webinars with valuable information related to the protection, conservation and establishment of native woodlands in Ireland. Please see a list of events coming up over the next year organised by and featuring Woodlands of Ireland.
October 2026
Thursday October 8th & Friday October 9th 2026
Celebrating 25 years of the Native Woodland Schemes
Reflecting on the past, present and future forms and functions'
Woodlands of Ireland will host a celebration event on Thursday, 8th and Friday, 9th of October at Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, Co. Leitrim. The event will mark the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Native Woodland Schemes in November 2001. There will be keynote speakers, native woodland presentations and discussions as well as field visits to local native woodland sites.
Friday October 23rd 2026 (Closing Date)
RDS Forest & Woodland Awards 2027 - Apply now!
Native Woodland Establishment Award
The Native Woodland Establishment Award aims to recognise new or re-established native semi-natural woodlands between 5 and 30 years old (from planting or natural regeneration), that are excellently managed; beneficial to both biodiversity and the local economy; indicating attention to potential timber utilisation where appropriate.
The award will be alternated between 'Native Woodland Establishment' and 'Ancient and Long-Established Woodland' on a bi-annual basis.
- The winner in each category will receive €3,000 and an RDS Spring Awards Trophy.
- Each runner-up will receive €1,000 and an RDS Certificate of Merit.
Application deadline extended to is 23rd October.
Tuesday October 20th & Wednesday October 21st 2026
Native Woodland Conservation Scheme Training Course
Date: Tuesday 20th & Wednesday 21st October 2026
Location: Enniscoe House, Prospect, Castlehill, Co. Mayo, F26 EA34
This 2-day Native Woodland Conservation course focuses on topics related to the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme including native woodland history, ecology, invasive species, other native woodland schemes under the Forestry Programme and how to implement measures of the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme for Foresters, Ecologists and Landowners.
The course is a requirement for foresters and ecologists to attend in order to receive accreditation to work on the NWC however the course would interest other stakeholders (i.e. statutory agency staff, nursery owners, environmental NGOs and interested individuals).
Woodlands of Ireland in conjunction with the Forest Service (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) organise these courses.
November 2026
Events pending confirmation.
December 2026
Events pending confirmation.
Past Events
March 2026
Tuesday, 10th March 2026 - Co. Mayo.
Thursday, 19th March 2026 - Webinar
April 2026
Monday, 6th April 2026: Talking Trees: Broadleaf Forest Open Day - Co. Sligo
This event is organised by John Normanly & Maria McDonnell, with Joe Gowran of Woodlands of Ireland giving one of the guided walks.
Talking Trees: Broadleaf Forest Open Day In An RDS National Silvercultural Excellence Award Winning Forest
Hosts: John Normanly & Maria McDonnell
Where: Ballincurry, Curry, Co. Sligo (F91 PH31)
Date: 6th April '26 (Easter Monday)
Time: 10.30am
This is a day for the community with an interest in trees to visit a working forest where a range of speakers will give guided walks on tree species, forest wildlife, planting,
tending, thinning and machinery.
Guest Speakers Giving Guided Walks
- Maura Waters, RDS, Chair of Rural Affairs
- Joe Gowran, Woodlands of Ireland
- Michael Bell, Wildlife Specialist
- Jeremy Ryan, CEO Crann
- Paul McGuire, Custodian of Ancient Woodlands
- Brian McGarraghy, RDS Winner Hazelwood, Sligo
- Brian Flanagan, Farm Forest RDS Winner
- John Normanly, RDS Winner & Forest Owner
This is a free event but cash donations for UNICEF IRL
will be collected. Wear suitable clothing and footwear,
Allow time for parking!
Thursday, April 16th 2026: RDS Forest and Woodland Awards 2026 - Co. Dublin.
This event is organised by the RDS and features the Native Woodland Conservation Award, which is sponsored by Woodlands of Ireland.
The Native Woodland Conservation Award aims to recognise excellence in the conservation and management of native forests and semi-natural woodlands which are regarded as ancient or long established and managed in a sustainable way that is both beneficial to biodiversity and the local economy. Woodlands of Ireland proposed the idea of the native woodland conservation award and worked with the RDS to develop its introduction in 2024.
Wednesday, April 21st 2026: Cleft Oak Workshop - Co. Mayo
This event is organised by Woodlands of Ireland and is for supporter members only.
Join Woodlands of Ireland for a hands-on Cleft Oak Workshop, celebrating traditional woodland skills and the value of native oak in Ireland’s cultural and ecological heritage.
This practical workshop will introduce participants to the age-old craft of cleaving (splitting) oak using hand tools for a post and rail fence. Guided by an experienced facilitator, you will learn how to work with the natural grain of the timber to produce durable, high-quality pieces, while gaining an appreciation for the unique properties of native oak and its role in sustainable woodland management.
May 2026
Friday, May 15th 2026: 'Carlow Catchments Hedgerow Survey Results & Ash and Elm Research Updates in Ireland' - Webinar
This event is organised by Woodlands of Ireland.
Join Woodlands of Ireland for a lunchtime webinar to mark the first day of National Biodiversity Week 2026 and learn about two elements of native tree cover in Ireland.
The first presentation will be focused on the ‘Carlow Catchments Hedgerow Survey’ with Neil Foulkes, Hedge Conservation and Management consultant and Joe Gowran, CEO of Woodlands of Ireland. And the second presentation will be focused on ‘Ash and Elm in Ireland: Protecting and Restoring Our Native Trees Together’ with Dheeraj Rathore of the Teagasc Forest Development Department.
- Learn more about this webinar.
- Register for this webinar.
Wednesday, May 20th 2026: 'Naturalness, Humans and Woodland Diversity' - Co.Mayo
This event is organised by Woodlands of Ireland.
Join Woodlands of Ireland for an engaging and informative day out on the topic of ‘Naturalness, Humans and Woodland Diversity’, taking place during National Biodiversity Week at the beautiful setting of Enniscoe House, Prospect, Castlehill, Co. Mayo (F26 EA34)
Led by ecologist Aidan Corcoran, this event will explore key woodland ecology concepts through both an indoor presentation and an outdoor guided walk. Participants will gain insight into plant succession, the role of disturbance in shaping woodland ecosystems, and the principles of coppice silviculture as a traditional and sustainable woodland management practice.
- Learn more about this event.
- Register for this event.
Thursday, May 21st 2026: 'Seed Collection and Sustainable Plant Production Networking Meeting' - Co. Kilkenny
This event is organised by Woodlands of Ireland.
Woodlands of Ireland organises Technical Advisory Panel group networking meetings on topics related to native tree cover. One of these groups was set up during the pandemic on the topic of seed collection and sustainable plant production. Initially, these meetings took place online during the pandemic and now in person throughout the island of Ireland with site visits to native tree nurseries. This networking meeting will take place at The Acorn Project, Graine Native Tree Nursery, Co Kilkenny. There will be a site visit to the native tree nursery as well as an Elm seed collection portion of the event for the Acorn project.
The networking meetings involve a field trip and site visit to nurseries that produce native trees, along with presentations and an informal meeting to discuss current and future issues relating to seed requirements, forest genetic materials, plant disease in an effort to protect future native Irish tree stock.
If you are interested in attending this networking meeting, please email [email protected] with your interest.
Friday, May 22nd 2026: 'Hedge Habitat Zones in a farmed landscape featuring ‘An Introduction to the Hedgerow Appraisal System’ - Co. Carlow
The event is organised by Woodlands of Ireland and Teagasc.
Join us on May 22nd, International Day for Biological Diversity, during National Biodiversity Week 2026 at Teagasc Oakpark, Carlow for a day of biodiversity talks and field trips with a focus on Hedgerows. An event celebrating International Day of Biological Diversity, co-hosted by Teagasc and Woodlands of Ireland.
Hedgerow networks are perhaps the most characteristic feature of the Irish landscape and give character to an area, providing aesthetic appeal and creating a sense of place. They define agricultural and other lands and knit the landscape into a patchwork quilt. They also provide valuable refuges for biodiversity in a landscape dominated by large tracts of intensive agriculture and function as an alternative habitat for numerous woodland plant species. In addition, hedgerows have the potential to act as corridors for regular movements and dispersal of birds, mammals (especially bats) and invertebrates through the landscape.
- Read more about this event.
- Register for this event.
June 2026
Tuesday, June 9th / Wednesday, June 10th - (2 days) - Meath & Leitrim - Supporter Member Event
Introduction to hardwood timber utilisation, traditional craft uses and current markets for sawn hardwoods, Mobile milling in County Meath.
June 9th - This module will be based in Co. Meath with a visit to John Sherlock, who is a prominent Irish forest owner, wood turner, and timber processor based near Navan, County Meath, who runs the firewood and timber business Sherlogs. Along with his wife, Evelyn, he produces high-quality, sustainably sourced, kiln-dried Irish firewood and bespoke craft timber. You can watch a video giving some background on John's setup there - https://fb.watch/Gy1RiNiYLN/
June 10th - Inspection lines will be put in and a bit of shaping and pruning in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim.
Joining details supplied to Supporter members by email.
Tuesday, June 16th / Wednesday, June 17th (2 days) - Galway - Supporter Member Event
Introduction to hardwood timber utilisation, traditional craft uses, and current markets for sawn hardwoods.
June 16th - ATU Letterfrack open day to see the furniture pieces designed and made by students. with Community Native Woodland visit after the exhibition.
June 17th - Kylemore Abbey visit - tour, practical work, opening up paths.
Joining details supplied to Supporter members by email.
Tuesday, June 23rd / Wednesday, June 24th (2 days) - Sligo & Mayo - Supporter Member Event
Low impact timber extraction: quad, small tractor demonstrations and Hazel Hurdle making.
23rd June - Demonstration of small tractor extraction and forwarder. - Curry, Co Sligo
24th June - Hazel Hurdle making - Enniscoe, Co. Mayo.
Joining details supplied to Supporter members by email.
July 2026
Summer Break
August 2026
Tuesday 18th August 2026
Horse Logging Demonstration with Alan Lynch
Join Woodlands of Ireland for a unique National Heritage Week 2026 event at Enniscoe House, Co. Mayo, where experienced horse logger Alan Lynch will demonstrate the traditional practice of horse logging within an oak plantation.
This practical demonstration will showcase how low-impact timber extraction can support sustainable woodland management while protecting woodland soils, ground flora and biodiversity.
This event reflects on this years Heritage Week theme of 'Heritage at Risk' and will explore how traditional woodland skills and working horses could form part of Ireland's living cultural heritage, demonstrating how historic land management practices can contribute to the conservation and restoration of our natural heritage today.
Registration link - BOOK NOW
Inquiries to [email protected]
This event is supported by The Heritage Council.
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 2026
Ireland's Woodland Show
Woodlands of Ireland will be at Ireland's Woodland Show on the weekend of August 29th and 30th at Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum, Inistioge, Co Kilkenny. You will have the opportunity to contribute in person to the Native Woodland Strategy 2026-2030. We will have a stand and Joe Gowran, Woodlands of Ireland CEO will give a presentation on Sunday giving more information about the Native Woodland Strategy.
September 2026
Woodlands of Ireland Supporter Membership
For anyone supportive of our work to promote the conservation, active management and expansion of native woodlands on the island of Ireland, you can now become a Supporter Member of Woodlands of Ireland. This means joining an all-island community of people who care deeply about our woodland’s ecological heritage.
Your support directly contributes to ensuring that Woodlands of Ireland continues to promote the protection, restoration, and active management of Ireland’s native woodlands through our training events, workshops, field trips, conferences and other networking gatherings.
See the four options available from Individual, eNgos/Community groups, to Student/Concession and Corporate/Institutional members
Charity number: 20079079 | Company number: 499781