Burren felling in line with planned investment

Fund for maintaining Geopark sought

A local councillor has queried felling licences sought in respect of lands connected to the Cavan Burren.

Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley has, in the past, accused national forestry agency Coillte of neglecting the historic site by failing to maintain the growth of non-native species such as Sitka from hindering vistas from the popular visitor attraction.

The same councillor has in the past proposed that Coillte give control of the Burren Park site, considered by many to be one of Ireland’s finest prehistoric relict landscapes, to Cavan County Council.

Cllr Feeley sought an update in relation to this at the November monthly meeting of Cavan County Council.

Back in September 2022, Cllr Feeley claimed that, over the previous decade, trees had been felled in the area, particularly around several monuments. This had created sightlines and added context as to their significance but the areas had since been replanted and viewing areas are being lost.

In particular, Cllr Feeley mentioned views of Tullygobbin Hill and Tullygobbin Lake.

His protestation comes amid plans to deliver a €6.4m tourism development at the nearby Shannon Pot.

A flagship attraction for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, the visitor experience will promote the source of the River Shannon, the Shannon Pot, and further enhance the existing Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark.

The project is still at planning stage but is expected to be completed by early 2025.

A meeting took place on site between officials at Cavan County Council and Coillte subsequent to Cllr Feeley airing his views late last year.

At last week’s meeting he asked about that “arrangement” and if any progress had been made, and also about felling sites for the area, describing the current situation as a “mess”.

“I hear there was discussions with Coillte but there has been no progress on the ground,” said Cllr Feeley.

In response, Director of Services, Brendan Jennings, said he had “sought clarity” in relation to the felling licences sought by Coillte, in respect of the Burren and at one other site within the county.

He confirmed to the meeting that any works would fall in line with plans to develop the Cavan Burren, both from the perspective of “new” developments and to facilitate agreements from the “past”.

He expected those works to take place sometime in the first half of next year.

At the same meeting Cllr Feeley also asked the council to make a specific provision for the maintenance of sites within the Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark.

Last year Cavan received €400,000 for two major cross border projects as part of the Shared Island Fund, to involve a substantial partnership between Cavan County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

€250,000 will go towards works at Castle Saunderson, Co Cavan and Castle Caldwell, Co Fermanagh. Work to advance a series of interlinked capital works at the two iconic sites will take place.

Another €150,000 is going to Cavan County Council to create a masterplan for the Cuilcagh Mountain area, involving input from National Parks and Wildlife Service, Ulster Wildlife,

Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark Ambassadors and the Geopark Business Network.

Cllr Feeley commended the work of Grainne O Connor, manager at Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, and her team, as well as the works undertaken by members of the council’s own ground staff.

“It’s a phenomenal amount of work done to a great standard,” said Cllr Feeley.

In respect of the facilities, he highlighted some issues in respect of maintenance and repairs.

Cllr Feeley’s motion received the support of Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty who pointed out that flooding and potholes remain issues.

Mr Jennings again responded on behalf of the executive, telling the November meeting that he was aware of how the Geopark was being managed north of the border.

He accepted that maintenance needed to be kept up with but conceded it was “challenging” given current financial constraints.

The council committed to examine what could be done in its 2024 budget.