President Michael D. Higgins Celebrates 25 Years of Terryland Forest Park
Over 3,000 people planted forest on empty field in Galway City in 2000 ‘Plantathon’
Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins commemorated 25 years of Terryland Forest Park at a celebration in Galway City today (Thursday 6 June 2025). The ‘Green Lungs’ of Galway City was planted in early 2000, over the course of a single day (12 March), with over 3,000 people arriving into an empty field - and leaving having planted a forest.
The event recognised the dedication and commitment of Galway City Council Recreation and Amenity staff; volunteers from Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park; and President Higgins – who at the time, as a Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (1993-1997), secured funding for the nascent forest project.
Terryland Forest Park was the largest urban neighbourhood forest project in the history of the Irish State, when it opened to the public for the first time in March 2000.
Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins said, “We celebrate today the important milestone that is the 25th anniversary of the opening of Terryland Forest Park. Owned and managed by Galway City Council and assisted by Tuatha volunteers, today Terryland Forest Park represents a wonderful urban mosaic of woods, meadows, wetlands and other natural habitats that also serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory for schools and universities. As well as educational and recreational amenity value, the park also helps the country to meet its international commitments in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises by acting as a carbon sink and wildlife sanctuary. May the Poet’s Trail and Terryland Park continue to be a source of recreation, wellbeing, and perhaps even transcendence for years to come.”
As part of the commemoration, President Higgins planted an oak tree in the very spot he previously planted a King Oak 25 years ago - which was knocked by Storm Eowyn.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane commented, “Terryland Forest Park was the first public park in Ireland designed with public participation and represented a wonderful proactive partnership between stakeholders. The park became an ‘ecological corridor’ for wildlife connecting the Corrib waterways through the city to the farmlands of east Galway. In a time of an interconnecting global Climate and Biodiversity Crises, the role of this park has never been more crucial. The planting of the new oak tree honours the work of past generations in bringing the woodland to fruition, while symbolising hope for the next generation to take up the mantle and heralding the next 25 years of Terryland Forest Park.”
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council said, “Terryland Forest Park is one of three major woodlands in our city. The trees and planting in Terryland Forest Park are like green ribbons running through the urban fabric, providing ecological corridors for wildlife and pleasant green walking and cycling routes for people, away from busy roads and traffic. Experience has shown us that a collaborative approach between the local authority and the local community helps foster a sense of ownership and pride in a place. Galway City Council is committed to building our existing high-quality green spaces in collaboration with communities and volunteer groups.”
Brendan Smith, Chairperson of Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park, said, “Terryland Forest Park represents a wonderfully successful partnership between Galway City Council and the citizens of Galway. Over a quarter of a century, approximately 100,000 native Irish trees and wildflowers have been planted by the people, schools, visitors and council staff of Galway city, thus creating a rich tapestry of multiple wildlife habitats for a wide variety of flora and fauna located not far from the city centre that connects into the vast Lough Corrib waterways, one of the most cherished areas of biodiversity in the country.”
The event was attended by Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins; Mayor of the City of Galway, His Worship, Cllr Peter Keane, TDs, Elected Members of Galway City Council, staff from Recreation and Amenity in Galway City Council, volunteers from Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park and children from teachers and pupils from St. Nicolas’ Parochial School, Castlegar National School and Scoil San Phroinsias.
Artwork from children in the three schools - imagining the future of the forest from 25 years ago - was displayed alongside contemporary artwork from the same three schools depicting how the native woodland of today would evolve into the future.
The King Oak which came down during Storm Eowyn was transformed into five pieces of art, by Galway based artist Tommy Carew, and presented on behalf of the people of Galway City to Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins; His Worship, the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Peter Keane; GCC Chief Executive, Mr. Leanard Cleary; Chairperson of Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park, Mr. Brendan Smith, and GCC Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, Mr Stephen Walsh.
Mayor Peter Keane and Brendan Smith also unveiled a poetry plaque, featuring poetry by Uachtaráin na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins. The poem, ‘The Mountain’, is dedicated to the President’s daughter, Alice-Mary. The poem features in Michael D. Higgins's anthology of poetry entitled "The Season of Fire" (1993), and forms part of the Galway Poetry Trail in Terryland Forest Park.