Forestry Award For Kilmihil Man

Business & Finance - Farming & Fisheries

Thursday, 21 October 2010 16:00

Written by Mike Fanning

Seán Connick TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, today presented an award to a West Clare man for his work in the local forestry sector.

Martin Murphy received the ‘Special Judges Award’ at the 2010 RDS/Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards function held in Russbourough House, Co. Wicklow.

Mr. Murphy of Cahermurphy received the award in recognition of his willingness to pass on his expertise and encouragement of other growers and potential growers.  Nominating Mr. Murphy for the award, the judges noted that he does all the work himself including planting, fertilising, weed control, brashing, thinning, pruning and road making, and is now a very accomplished forest operator.

As in previous years, there were two main categories for which awards were presented - the ‘Farm Forestry category’ and the ‘Bio-Diverse Forest/Woodlands’ category.  As part of the awards scheme, the judging panel also had the discretion to make a ‘Special Judge’s award’ in recognition of outstanding achievements by individuals within the industry.

The winner of the Farm Forestry category in 2010 was Ms. Anne O’Reilly, Belturbet, Co. Cavan, with 2nd place going to Mr. Aleck Tong, Edenderry, Co Offaly.

Declan and Yvonne Foley, Beltra, Co. Sligo were the winners in the Bio-diverse Forest/Woodland category, with 2nd place awarded to Michael Kim McCall, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.

Minister of State Connick noted that, in addition to the winners of the specific categories, special recognition was given by the judges to the best provincial entrants, namely, Mr Victor Dunne of Gorey, Co. Wexford in Leinster, Mr Matt Fogarty of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary in Munster, Mr. Joseph Tracey of Claudy, Co. Derry in Ulster and Mr Michael Boyle of Foxford, Co. Mayo in Connacht.