The vision, imagination and generosity of landowner James Deegan on Monday afternoon as Minister Heather Humphreys officially opened the Carrigmeal Woodland Walks, a stunning outdoor facility with incredible views of the Rock of Dunamaise.
James Deegan, himself a former councillor and Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, was a proud man on Monday as he welcomed the Minister for Rural and Community Development and gave her a tour of the woods in a golf buggy.
Since first planting trees almost 30 years ago on his land just off the N80 between Portlaoise and Stradbally he has been developing the amenity, which he has given access to the public.
It includes a small carpark, a selection of trailed walks, picnic benches, an outdoor classroom and, the focal point, a viewing tower that looks across at the historic Rock of Dunamaise.
The views are breathtaking – though bring a bottle of water with you if you intend walking up to the top. It’s a fair hill you’ve to climb to get up to it.
The project, which takes in almost 65 acres, received funding from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
“This wonderful facility would not exist without the generosity of James Deegan,” said Cathaoirleach Paschal McEvoy in his speech.
“This is a fantastic amenity driven by imagination,” added Donal Brennan, Director of Services in Laois County Council.
“Funds are available to help deliver visions like this into reality. This is a fantastic piece of outdoor infrastructure, made possible by the vision, imagination and generosity of James Deegan.”
Minister Humphreys also had huge praise for James Deegan and said that “projects like this go to the very heart of Our Rural Future”.
“The benefits will be seen for years and decades to come,” she added.
A designated biodiversity site, there are 19 species of native trees.
Minister Humphreys praised the work of Laois County Council in supporting the facility, as well as elected representatives and volunteers who get projects like this off the ground.
In his speech, James Deegan thanked his neighbours and friends who supported the venture and joked that his wife Toni “thought I was mad”.
He told the gathering that the woodlands was planted in 1994 and thinned out 13 years ago.
When funding became available, it allowed him to make refine the walkways through the woods and open it up to the public.
It has been in use for the past couple of years, peaking during the Covid lockdowns when it was an ideal outlet for “fresh air and exercise”.
It has been used by the Irish Defence Forces and Scouts Ireland while there is also a partnership with the local Dunamaise College to use the particularly quirky outdoor classroom.
In all there, are three walking routes, ranging from ‘easy’ to ‘strenuous’. In addition, there is access to the adjacent Coillte-owned Dysart Woods.
Though no longer a county councillor, Deegan remains deeply involved in community work – and says that another nearby project, the restoration of Dysart Enos church will be finished later this year.
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