RECORDING: Reading the Landscapes of Lough Erne: Journey Through Lough Erne Woodlands

At the beginning of the 20th century woodland cover in Ireland had reduced to a miniscule 1% of the total land area. In 1908 the authorities concerned about the low woodland cover began a programme to rectify this, this lead to the creation of the first County Fermanagh state forest in 1913, at Castlecaldwell, Belleek.

Listen to our third seminar in the Reading the Landscapes of Lough Erne series where guest speaker Ian Irwin, Forest Service, will bring us on a journey exploring the woodlands of the region and their importance to the unique landscape that is found surrounding Lough Erne. This event will provide you with an understanding of forestry development during the last 100 years, with a particular emphasis on the forests that surround Lough Erne and how detailed forest plans will provide direction and protection over the next 100 years.

Ian Irwin is a member of the senior leadership team within the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). His current role is Head of Forest Management and Inspection Services with responsibility for operational management of the 75,000 hectares of state forests in Northern Ireland. This includes management of the economic, social and environmental services provided by forests.

Ian who is from Co. Fermanagh has experienced many roles in his 33 years working with Forest Service including forest planning, timber harvesting and marketing, forest regeneration, management of land for biodiversity objectives as well as improving recreation facilities in forests across Northern Ireland through partnership development. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Society of Irish Foresters.

The seminar is supported through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.