Camolin Millennium Forest Biodiversity and Tree Walk
Discover the rich natural heritage of Camolin People’s Millennium Forest on a guided walk that explores the woodland’s diverse trees, plants, and thriving biodiversity. Led by knowledgeable guides Maria Cullen and Joe Gowran, we’ll make detailed observations of the wood’s flora, fungi, and epiphyte communities, highlighting the theme of “Building on Foundational Habitat and Biodiversity.”
📍Meetup/Parking Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwXhFurSicwEXfF49
The People’s Millennium Forest project in Ireland, which is focused on native woodland conservation, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. Camolin Wood is nestled on a low ridge of glacial gravels over 450-million-year-old. Camolin Wood lies just 4km northwest of Camolin village and 10km southwest of Gorey. Known as “White’s Wood” when mapped by the Ordnance Survey in 1839, it was once entirely deciduous. Today, it’s a beautiful mixed stand of coniferous and deciduous trees, shaped by centuries of history—from its time under the Annesley and Foster families, through the Land Commission, to its current stewardship by Coillte. The support of Coillte staff in organising this event is greatly appreciated.
As we walk, you’ll encounter the principal native trees—Oak, Birch, Rowan, Holly, Hazel, and Willow—alongside a vibrant ground flora of Bramble, Bracken, Bluebell, Primrose, Figwort, Buckler Fern, Wood Sage, and Honeysuckle. Special attention will be given to the wood’s fascinating lichens, mushrooms, mosses, liverworts, and algae, revealing the intricate web of life supported by this historic forest.
Come along to deepen your understanding of Ireland’s native woodland ecology, learn how biodiversity builds resilience in natural habitats.
- Parking/Meetup Point: This pindrop will lead you to a larger car park where we will start our guided walk: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwXhFurSicwEXfF49
- Please note that horse trekking is permitted in parts of Camolin woods.
- Unfortunately, there are no bathroom facilities at Camolin; it would be advisable to stop off at Camolin village before the walk.
Items to bring with you:
- Biodiversity swatches or field guides
- A pair of Binoculars if you have them and a hand glass for observing lichen
- Sturdy outdoor walking shoes
- A packed lunch, water and snacks
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses for sunny weather
- Comfortable clothing and waterproofs if weather is wet
- Any medications that you require
Your Guides:
Maria Cullen is one of Ireland's foremost mycologists (study of fungi) and lichenologists (study of lichen) and a passionate advocate for the importance of fungi and lichens. With a degree in Natural Sciences and an MSE in Mycology, she will share some of her knowledge on mushrooms, fungi, and lichen located in Camolin Wood.
Joe Gowran is CEO of Woodlands of Ireland. He has a background in practical woodland management, focused on semi-natural woodland, creating new native woodland, and the conservation of related habitats such as hedges and scrub. He has been involved with Woodlands of Ireland in various capacities almost continuously since its inception in 1998 and carried out a number of the earliest contracts in both the Native Woodland Conservation and Establishment Schemes from 2001.