Dismay at vandalism near fairy forest

There has been widespread dismay and outrage following an act of vandalism at Cootehill’s Halton’s Amenity Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Six pathway lights close to Erica’s Fairy Forest were damaged some time between Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2.
The site is regularly used by walkers and runners. The pathway leads to the award-winning Erica’s Fairy Forest, built in dedication to the memory of Erica Ní Draighneain who passed away age five years following illness.
“It’s just so disappointing,” a member of Erica’s family, who developed the site in honour of the young girl’s unshakeable belief in fairies, told The Anglo-Celt this week.
During Erica’s challenge of childhood cancer, the local community in Cootehill helped fundraise to support her family, and the forest additionally serves as a heartfelt ‘thank you’ from them to the community.
“The damage was done before you get into the fairy forest, but even still, they broke every light on the way down. We just can’t get our head around why anyone would want to do damage like that.
“I suppose for us the forest is an extremely special place, but it’s also now become an important place in so many people’s lives, not just in Cootehill, or Cavan and Monaghan, but throughout the country. We have visitors to the area from all over Ireland, so it affects so many people.”
Coronavirus restrictions have forced the cancellation of so many social events, including at Erica’s Fairy Forest, which hosts an annual Easter Egg Trail.
The upkeep of the Fairy Forest is managed by a local committee, working closely with Cootehill Area Development.
“Hopefully, as the restrictions are slowly lifted, we’ll begin to see life creep back into the forest again in a positive way.”