Mallow Castle is set to become a “wooden haven” with 10 hectare (25 acres) of amenity woodland to be set on the grounds of Mallow Castle and along the River Blackwater river.
The NeighbourWood Scheme supports the development of woodland amenities for public use and enjoyment. The Scheme for Mallow Castle came about through the work of Cork County Council, Mallow Development Partnership & Teagasc and is financially supported of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Mallow Castle NeighbourWood Scheme will be done in three 3 parts;
- To rejuvenate the existing 1.5 ha of broad-leaf woodland beside the old lime kiln
- To plant a new, mainly oak, woodland in the remainder
- To upgrade open areas and to enhance and install new information and recreational facilities such as signage and seating in the improved amenity area from Mallow Bridge to Lovers’ Leap.
Work on the establishment of the new oak woodland will commence tomorrow, 28th June 2017 with other works to be carried out in the coming months. The majority of the planting will be organised and carried out by the Greenbelt forestry company.
Welcoming the ‘NeighbourWood’ Scheme at Mallow Castle, Local Independent Councillor John Paul O’ Shea said “The new amenity woodland and walkway will benefit the whole community of Mallow and visitors alike and will reinforce a ‘sense of place’ by linking the town to the river and becoming part of the fabric of local life. It will provide individuals, families and friends with a place for time-out and to connect with the natural world, promote public health, well-being and a better quality of life, and create a resource for people young and old to learn about nature and the environment”.
Cllr. O’ Shea added “The area beside the Blackwater river is already being used by people of all ages and abilities on a regular basis, for strolling, family visits and picnics, ‘power-walking’, jogging, and a host of other outdoor activities. It is also hoped as part of this Scheme to engage with the local schools on the project and to have this area available as an outdoor teaching resource. A number of schools have agreed to their participation in the initial planting of part of the new woodland and to the use of the NeighbourWood as part of their environmental & social science studies which is indeed very welcome”.
Cork County Council is the lead partner for this scheme. Currently, the council are developing the grounds around Mallow Castle and constructed a section of new river walk in 2015 and are continuing this work with a new path through the town park along with a path connecting Mallow Castle with the river walk in 2017. Over the next few years all these links will come together to create an extensive public amenity in the heart of Mallow town.
Mallow Development Partnership is a voluntary organisation which is jointly sponsored by Cork County Council and local businesses in the Mallow area with representation from both community and business represented by Mallow Chamber of Commerce. Other agencies represented are Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, Teagasc, Mallow Tidy Towns and many more.
