Murvagh forestry removal and dune restoration plans outlined at meeting

Full details of forestry removal as part of a sand dune restoration project at Murvagh were outlined at a public meeting in Ballintra.

The meeting took place on Thursday evening in Ballintra Community Centre. Among those present were members of the Friends of Murvagh Beach committee and some of the many people who enjoy the natural amenity of Murvagh beach and forest. 

Inge Bock from Donegal County Council chaired the meeting, with Coillte represented by regional manager Colm O’Dwyer, Karen Woods who outlined the dune restoration work, and Michael Donlon who is working with the local committee on improving the recreational aspect of Murvagh.

Karen Woods explained that Coillte owned 220 hectares of land at Murvagh, half of which was forestry and half of which was a mix of dunes and salt marsh. Much of the area is situated within a special area of conservation (SAC). 

The conifer forest was mainly planted around 70 years ago, with small sections planted in later years. 

Ms Woods said: “There is a wonderful mix of different habitats. It is an important national and international area for the range of different bird and plant species. It is also recognised that it is an important community area in terms of recreation.”

She explained that the plans for the Life Insular project which would see an area of around seven hectares of forestry removed were with a view to enhancing biodiversity. 

Ms Woods stressed that the importance of the forest habitat was also recognised, but that the dune habitat needed a helping hand to mitigate against climate change. 

“Most of the area will remain in forest cover,” she said, adding that a wider biodiversity plan for the area was a work in progress. 

She explained that the Life Insular project was in conjunction with a similar project in Spain which involved dune restoration on a number of Spanish governed Atlantic islands. 

Of the four sites in Ireland - The Raven in Wexford where work is already underway, and Murvagh, Ards Forest Park and Rinclevan, Horn Head - all are dunes where forestry has been planted. 

Ms Woods said: “At the time [Coillte] thought we were doing the right thing planting trees in those sites but we now know different. 

“With climate change the dunes are getting a squeeze and they are under pressure so they need room to expand.”
She said the Life Insular project was a new and important approach to dune conservation in Ireland.

“It is really exciting, one of the most exciting projects taking place in Ireland,” she said. 

The seven-hectare area of forestry being removed is on the right hand side while driving towards the main car park at Murvagh beach. It will start a short distance past the cattle grid and will end before reaching the car park. 

A further four hectares is also included in the plan, and this involves removal of individual trees which have taken root on the dunes. 

Stumps will be left in place in some areas and removed in others, depending on factors relevant to each section being removed. 

Where relevant, an area of soil will be scraped back to allow the dune or marsh to regenerate. Planting of marsh grass may also take place if needed. 

Areas of forest where rare species have been identified will be protected, and all work will be carried out with sensitivity to the local environment and with minimal disruption to recreational users. 

Ms Woods concluded: “Climate change is going to see our sea levels rising and those more intense storms. By removing the forest cover there and restoring the dunes, we feel we are giving the best chance to mitigate against that.”

Michael Donlon outlined a number of plans for the recreational usage and protection of the area, including improved signage, the deployment of TÚS staff to keep the area clean, removal of waste, boardwalk replacement, and facilities such as toilets. 

Concerns were raised by the Friends of Murvagh Beach committee regarding parking leading to the road being inaccessible to emergency services. 

Mr Donlon replied that this was perhaps a ‘long conversation’ given that the existing car park was in the SAC. 

However, one committee member said: “We had a situation last year where a child was missing on the beach and emergency services couldn’t get there. We need to do something now to ensure that people don’t park on both sides of the road approaching the beach, and that people know that the other car park exists.”

It was agreed that Donegal County Council would be approached with regard to signage and double yellow lines.