49% fall in visits to Coillte forests in Mayo since enhanced restrictions put in place

Coillte has thanked the public for observing Covid-19 guidelines as a significant decrease in footfall has been recorded at their recreational forests since the government introduced enhanced restrictions on March 27 last.

Coillte compared the number of visitors to its 23 recreational forests nationally in the full week prior to the introduction of the enhanced restrictions (March 21 to 27) to the number of visitors in the full week following the introduction (March 28 to April 3).

The figures showed that in Co. Mayo there was a 49% reduction in the number of visitors after the enhanced restrictions came into place.

Approximately 1,700 people visited Coillte’s recreational forests at Belleek, Tourmakeady and Letterkeen between March 28 and April 3, compared to nearly 3,400 recorded the previous week.

Around the country, Portumna Forest Park in Galway, the Devils Glen in Wicklow and Ards Forest Park in Donegal saw reductions in visitor numbers of 99%.

Imelda Hurley, chief executive of Coillte, said: “We wish to thank the public for adhering to the restrictions currently in place at Coillte’s recreational forests across the country.

“We understand this is a challenging time but by observing the Covid-19 related government and HSE advice, you are helping to save countless lives. The significant reduction in footfall recorded across our recreational forests is a clear signal that the public are taking their responsibility seriously and protecting our most vulnerable communities.

“We all have our own part to play and we want to take this opportunity to thank the public for their cooperation so far and ask that they continue to observe the government and HSE guidance on Covid-19, including during the upcoming Easter break.’’

Coillte had introduced access restrictions to minimize the spread of Covid-19 in Coillte-managed recreational forests across the country, which are currently only open to local pedestrians, while all on-site carparking remains closed. For more information, visit www.coillte.ie.