Belleek Wood is a large forest located adjacent to Ballina town in County Mayo. It is a very popular recreation area with a high level of use, of 1,000 plus people per week, with numbers increasing significantly over holiday periods, public holidays. Belleek was acquired by the state from the Knox Gore family and the wood was initially used for timber production with recreation a secondary use. This all changed in 1999 when Coillte initiated a community-based approach to managing this resource into the future. This resulted in the formation of the Belleek Enhancement Committee and with support from the Forest Service, funding was provided, under the NeighbourWood Scheme, to develop the wood for recreation purposes.

From 1999 to 2009, extensive developments have occurred including, to name a few; the introduction of a thriving native red squirrel population; planting of more than 22,000 trees of 14 different species of which 90% were broadleaves; development of three new forest avenues; repair of five stone walls and a number of stone bridges; the provision of a new tarred car park; the development of a new picnic area adjoining the river Moy; the replacement of all furniture and signage and the restoration of the Knox Gore monument.

This is just the beginning. A new joint application for funding under the NeighbourWood Scheme is currently submitted, with the view to securing the continued development of Belleek wood as a sustainable recreational resource to 2040. This main aspects of this plan includes woodland enhancement, the planting of native species and other tree species to provide food sources for the red squirrel, long term retentions of existing forests and the continued development and maintenance of the recreation facilities. The implementation of this agreed plan will ensure the long term provision of an excellent recreational resource for the people of Ballina and the wider community.