A Visit to the Guaranteed Irish Forest in Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny

On 25 November, just ahead of the first anniversary of the Guaranteed Irish Forest plantation, our team visited the site in Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, to see how the young woodland is progressing.

Earlier this year, thousands of saplings of native Irish species—including oak, birch, hazel,

and ash—were planted to establish a new woodland on the site. Over time, this mix of native trees and shrubs will create a thriving habitat that supports local biodiversity, provides shelter and food for wildlife, and contributes to carbon absorption. The woodland will be managed for nature and will include public access for the surrounding community, allowing people to engage with and benefit from the landscape.

During the visit, it was encouraging to see how well the saplings are doing. Many have already shown notable growth, and the distinct shapes of leaves—such as the recognisable lobes of young oak—were clearly visible. The site, located south of Inistioge and elevated above the River Nore, offers panoramic views across the valley, with the evening sunset facing the woodland.

This initiative is supported by a group of Guaranteed Irish Members, including Wavin, Homevalue, Cedral, Kaymed, and Kingscourt Brick. With their support, projects such as the Guaranteed Irish Forest can continue to grow and support both nature and the local community.

The Guaranteed Irish Forest forms an important part of our Sustainability Strategy and directly supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities, SDG 13 – Climate Action, SDG 15 – Life on Land. These goals reflect our commitment to delivering meaningful, lasting impact for our communities.

The woodland is managed by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, with a focus on climate, nature, and people.