Almost 100,000 visitors to Dublin forests since Covid restrictions lifted

Coillte has today released new figures revealing that there was a large increase in visitor numbers to some recreation forests in Dublin.

Seven of Coillte’s recreation forests in Dublin track visitor numbers, Cruagh Wood, Ticknock, Kilmashogue, Glenasmole, Kiltipper, Tibradden and the Hellfire Club, and these recorded 96,090 visitors between June and August.

This was a significant increase on visitor numbers in April and May, during the height of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

During March and April 2020, when Covid restrictions were at their most limiting, Coillte saw a large drop in visitor numbers as non-essential travel was restricted.

However, since travel restrictions were lifted on June 19, visitors have begun returning to Coillte’s forests across Ireland.

Coillte is Ireland’s leading provider of outdoor recreation activities in Ireland with more than 3,000 kilometres of trails, 260 recreation sites and 12 forest parks across the country.

Commenting on the figures, Imelda Hurley, Chief Executive of Coillte said:

“Since restrictions were eased and people could move more than five kilometres from their homes, we, unsurprisingly, saw an immediate large increase in visitor numbers.

“In fact, there was a significant increase in visitor numbers in seven of Coillte’s Dublin recreation forests since lockdown restrictions were eased in June, Cruagh Wood, Ticknock, Kilmashogue, Glenasmole, Kiltipper, Tibradden and the Hellfire Club.

“This continued, steady increase is heartening for all of those who cherish our amenities.

“Access to nature is very important for the body, mind and spirit and that is why we work hard to maintain our tracks, parks and outdoor recreational facilities across Dublin.”