Community Engagement
Coillte’s forests and lands are a vital part of the Irish landscape. As Ireland’s largest forester and provider of outdoor recreation spaces, Coillte takes pride in its commitment to social responsibility, ensuring its actions contribute to the development of local communities. In 2025, Coillte actively participated in a variety of community and educational initiatives across the country. Here are some of the highlights:
National Tree Week celebrated by planting 150,000 trees
National Tree Week is an annual event organised by the Tree Council of Ireland in partnership with Coillte. It is the largest tree celebration in the country, providing a unique opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the beauty and importance of Ireland's trees. The 2025 theme was 'Planting Trees, Growing Together' to highlight the deep connection between trees, people, and the environment, emphasising how tree planting promotes sustainability and fosters stronger communities. Coillte donated 150,000 saplings to local communities as part of its sponsorship of tree week.
Night and Day Festival
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park once again hosted the vibrant Night and Day Festival from 27th - 29th June 2025. The event which was attended by 6,000 people transformed the forest park into a buzzing hub of music, creativity, and community. The weekend saw world-class live music, DJ sets, wellness experiences, delicious food, and family-friendly fun.
Night and Day music festival at Lough Key
The Night and Day outdoor music festival took place in June in Coillte’s Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. The family friendly festival ran over three nights and revellers enjoyed performances from acts such as Bell X 1, Damien Dempsey and Mick Flannery as well as family games, poetry, drama, arts and crafts, all in the beautiful forest setting.
Consultation on Forest Management Plans
During September 2025, Coillte hosted annual public consultation meetings on its Operational Forest Plans across each of Coillte’s six Business Area Units. The purpose of these meetings was to share forest plans for each area and to seek input from local stakeholders.
Students helping the Dublin Mountains Makeover
Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership were joined by students from schools during 2025 to help with the Dublin Mountain Makeover. One of the events was with students from St. Tiernan’s Community School, Sandyford and Glenasmole National School in Tallaght who planted 200 native sapling trees to celebrate five years of significant progress with the Dublin Mountains Makeover project.
Students Planting in Hazelwood
Coillte hosted a group of 51 students from senior infants and first class at St Patrick’s National School, Calry, Co. Sligo. The students took part in planting new trees and learning about the environment.
Coillte Forests hosts running events nationwide
Coillte facilitated a number of running events in its Forest Parks and lands in 2025. Events were held at Avondale Forest Park, Portumna Forest Park and Donadea Forest amongst many others.
Charity Cycle Supported by MEDITE SMARTPLY Staff
MEDITE SMARTPLY sta took part in the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’ challenge in June 2025 to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease research. In total, 35 cyclists covered 555 miles across four Irish provinces. The challenge started in Belfast and travelled along the west coast of Ireland, stopping at the SMARTPLY factory in Waterford before finishing at the Aviva Stadium. The event also attracted strong support from MEDITE SMARTPLY customers, who joined the SMARTPLY group for the final leg of the journey.
Educational Programmes
Coillte’s Transition Year Programme
The third year of Coillte’s Transition Year programme took place in 2025. The programme was hosted by Coillte’s HR team, who were delighted to welcome seven students from schools in Wicklow and Dublin. Students explored the full scope of Coillte’s operations, including visits to Raheenleagh Wind Farm, an establishment site, Woodfab Sawmill, and Beyond the Trees Avondale. The programme also included a series of educational presentations from experts across the business covering topics such as sustainability, ecology and operations.
The World of Work Programme
Coillte continued to participate in the Business Action on Education initiative, through Business in the Community, Ireland in 2025. To date, over 300 students have participated in the programme, receiving an introduction to the forestry sector in their communities, and learning about the roles and opportunities available. To celebrate the conclusion of the programme for the 128 students who took part in 2025, Coillte hosted a celebratory day at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park. Existing partner schools include: Duiske College, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny, Mercy College, Woodford, Co. Galway, St. Tiernan’s College, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo, and Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
Forestry Scholarship Programme
The Coillte Forestry Scholarship Programme awarded three scholarships in September 2025. This scholarship offers financial support by offering recipients up to €20,000 across their forestry degree, an opportunity for a paid summer placement with Coillte, and, upon successful completion, consideration for future job opportunities within the organisation. In 2025 there were 60 applications for the scholarship. Of the three students that were selected, two are studying at SETU and one at UCD.
MEDITE SMARTPLY Support for Careers Event
A team from MEDITE SMARTPLY attended the University of Limerick Careers event in September 2025. The event is aimed at graduates and potential Co-op work placement students.