Protecting Irish Native Forests since 1998
Irelands native forests are seriously under threat. Years of tree felling and intensive farming have left Ireland at the bottom of the world rankings in protecting native forests.
Our mission is to not only halt this destruction but to allow native woodland to expand again and naturally regenerate.
We encourage you to get involved in any way you can, and remember a single tree can provide a sanctuary for millions of insects and wildlife for hundreds of years, so we'll make sure even the smallest gesture of gifting a tree goes a long way.
We look forward to seeing you take part.
In the beginning ...
The organisation was founded in December 1998.
Charitable status was granted in January 2002.
Embracing Ancient Woodlands
Ardan Wood, our first truly ancient woodland in County Westmeath, was added in 2013.
Girley Wood and parts of Girley Bog were added in conjunction with IPCC in 2013.
In 2017 we acquired another ancient woodland, the alluvial woodland of Camcor in County Offaly.
In 2019, we saved 10 acres of St. John’s Wood and added a new woodland site at Rinnangan in County Roscommon.
Initial Growth and Expansion
Our first new woodland, Farnaght Wood in County Leitrim, was established in 2005.
In 2011, two new woods, Coill na Luise and Cuas na Coille in County Wicklow, were added.
Gracedieu Wood was added in Waterford City in 2012.
More Recently
Bevans' Wood was donated by Donal Bevans in 2021.
In 2022, a donated site in Glen, County Donegal, was named Toragh Wood.
Ardan Wood was quadrupled in size with the purchase of all immediately adjacent land in 2022.
Coill na Sionnach was added in County Galway in 2023.
Ballinakelly Woods was acquired in 2024.
Coill Sheanadh Gharráin was acquired in the Connemara Gaeltacht (Irish speaking region) in April 2025.
A new (as yet un-named) site was purchased in the Slieve Aughty region of South Galway in December 2025.
Meet the Team
Staff
Linda Lawlor
Linda is our longest serving staff member, having start with the Trust as a volunteer in 2007. With previous experience in direct sales as well as having worked in insurance underwriting, Linda brought a high degree of business acumen to the organisation. Since coming onboard full time, she has overseen the growth of the Trust from a single small woodland reserve to over a dozen woodlands, 4 nurseries and a permanent HQ.
Jeremy Casey
Jeremy originally joined the Trust as reserves manager but quickly proved his worth through his expertise, enthusiasm and no small amount of charisma. With degrees in Commerce, Business & Environmental Science as well as extensive experience as a safari guide in Africa, Jeremy now looks after all of our woodland reserves and oversees the operation of our local community-based membership branches.
Aaron Gallagher
Aaron Gallagher is our most recent recruit, with degrees in Zoology and Master’s Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management. Aaron assists our General Manager with the many public and corporate events we run but also holds a specific focus on the development of our tree nurseries.
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Aisling Kennedy
Aisling is a dedicated staff member of the Trust, having returned to the organisation after working in Canada as a nature school instructor and environmental technician. She originally did brilliant work with the Trust from 2021 to 2023 and thankfully was eager to rejoin the team. She has a degree in environmental biology and a master’s in environmental science and has extensive experience working outdoors with both adults and children since 2016. Aisling is currently helping us with all of our activities across the board while we try to reach the next phase of growth.
Trustees
Jim Lawlor
Jim is a founder member and Chairperson of the board, with considerable business experience, having been COO of a startup company, through to running major change programmes for large financial institutions with values of over €30m. Jim also has extensive experience in the areas of legal, risk and compliance.
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Herman O'Brien
Herman is a highly experienced project and programme manager with a Master’s Degree in Change Management and wide-ranging experience across a number of industries and blue-chip clients. Herman is one of two gaeilgeoirs on the board and is also fluent in German.
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David Smyth
David is our ecological expert – with a masters degree in Wildlife Conservation and management and experience of setting up and running grassroots environmental organisations. He is currently pursuing a PhD at GMIT.
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Siobhan McNamara
Siobhan is our educator and community activist – with Masters degrees in Education and Literary Translation and currently studying Environment and Biodiversity in Cathal Brugha FET. With an extensive background in education, Siobhan is one of two gaeilgeoirs on the board.
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Kevin McLaughlin
Kevin is our IT expert - a professional IT and Cybersecurity manager, working for a major international telecommunications company. Kevin is also an master wood-turner and a member so the Irish Woodturners Guild.
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Zoë Traynor
Zoë is our newest board member and our marketing expert, with a Masters degree in marketing and over 20 years' experience working on global brands across marketing, innovation, PR communications and sustainability. She recently completed the Business Sustainability Management programme with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and is also a voluntary marketing committee member for Airfield Estate.
