History of the Woods

Courtown Woodland was planted with oak and ash in 1870. At this time it was part of a typical Victorian estate woodland where exotic conifers and redwoods from California were planted within viewing distance of the house. Oak plantations were established at some distance. They were underplanted with shrubs to provide food for pheasants for shooting parties. The woodland was strictly managed; scrub was regularly cleared and used as firewood by local tenants.

During the 1860's and 1870's, James Stopford, the fifth Earl of Courtown, established a pinetum, or conifer collection, in the grounds around Courtown House. A small number of these trees remain today in the Woodland and in the Coillte property across the river. They include Californian Redwood, Swamp Cypress, Japanese Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon, and a number of pine, yew and true cypress.

During and after the last War most of this oak and ash was felled. The estate lands were acquired by the State and were planted with commercial timber in the late 1950's. The mixed conifer-broadleaf plantings were largely of spruce with some ash.

Although these have been neglected over the past twenty years, a comprehensive thinning programme was started in Spring 2000. This has involved felling and thinning many of the commercial conifers and some of the exotic (non-native) deciduous trees.

In order to minimise damage, two specially trained horses have been used to help in extracting the timber. In an era of highly mechanised forestry these horses, Kate and Sam, are unique and a delight to watch at work.

Eventually it is intended to allow a semi-natural ash woodland develop here.

Location and Access

The Courtown Woodland area is situated immediately north of Courtown village. It covers approximately 25 hectares and can be accessed either from the Picnic Area, off the Gorey road, or from the car park inCourtown Village..

The area being restored covers 18 hectares and is roughly triangular in shape. It is bounded on the north and north west by the Ounavarra River. On the south by the main Gorey/Courtown road and by the main car park on the north side of the village.

The Courtown Canal marks its eastern boundary. Ballintray Bridge on the southwest is a particularly fine feature. It can be viewed, with some difficulty, from within the woodland.