Forest Service chief is invited to Hollymount Wood meeting

Forest Service chief is invited to Hollymount Wood meeting

26 October 2022

THE Forest Service’s most senior official is to be invited to visit Hollymount Wood outside Downpatrick.

The move comes after claims the organisation “ignored” the wishes of local people who want formal recognition that the forest — which runs from Hollymount to the Quoile River — is open to the public.

There is particular concern that a sign at the entrance to the wood stipulates ‘private grounds’ when, in fact, it is open to the public. 

Local politicians, tourism representatives and environmentalists are concerned that the Forest Service’s consultation document ‘Forestry Plan for Forests and Woodland in Co Down’ does not reflect feedback from local people on the picturesque wood.

They want to meet with Forest Service chief executive John Joe Boyle to discuss their concerns and show him the beauty of the area and highlight the need to ensure public access is well known.

Downpatrick councillor Cadogan Enright said dozens of people responded to a consultation on Hollymount Wood two years ago.

He said it was clear from the consultation document that local people’s responses have been ignored. 

He said there was no recognition in the document of the forest’s role as a public walkway, especially the western end with its circular walk to the Quoile River. 

“The walks in Hollymount are beloved of the people of the area”, Cllr Enright continued.

“Not since the 1990s has Hollymount been advertised to the people of Downpatrick as a walking, recreational area and, as a result, it is almost unknown to younger families in this area.”

Philip Campbell, who operates Ballydugan Medieval Village, said that for many years the local community has been waiting for the Forest Service to resolve the access issue at the entrance to the Hollymount estate.

“There is still a ‘private’ sign up on the way in and many in the community find this intimidating,” he suggested. “Time is long since passed for the Forest Service to resolve this long, outstanding issue.”

“The forest walks are used by local people, bridal parties from The Mill at Ballydugan and our own re-enactment group use the woods to access our long-ships on the Quoile for trips to Inch Abbey.”

Mr Campbell said that until the front gate at the entrance to the wood was rebuilt some time ago, it was also a popular bridleway, which are becoming fever fewer in Northern Ireland.

He added: “Local people believe forestry personnel were unaware of its role as a bridleway when the old horse-friendly gate was removed.”

South Down MLA Patrick Brown said people hesitate to pass through what looks like a private garden, even though they are aware that it is a public right of way and was often advertised by the Forest Service in the 70s, 80s and 90s as a public forest walk.”

He confirmed he is writing to the Forest Service’s chief executive inviting him to visit Hollymount and see the issue at the front entrance for himself. 

Mr Brown added: “Local environmentalists and business people involved in tourism locally have offered to give Mr O’Boyle a guided tour along with me of the pathways down to the Quoile River through natural native woodlands so he can appreciate why this resource is so important to local people and the wider community in the Downpatrick area.”