While the vaults of Belleek Castle, Co Mayo, offer giant fossil remains and relics of the Spanish Armada to stimulate the cultural appetite of its guests, the adjacent grounds also provide a potential historical odyssey.
On the western bank of the River Moy, 100 hectares of woodland now owned by Coillte, but originally part of the vast estate, are being enhanced by a local committee. The deadline for the project is 2002. It will provide a natural and cultural amenity, not only for the townspeople, who have volunteered their services, but also for the thousands of visitors who stay in the area. Achievements to date include a tree-planting ceremony by local schoolchildren who have already helped raise £30,000 in various fund-raising efforts. The restoration of several artefacts in the woodland as well as the resurfacing of pathways has also been given priority.
An ornate monument built over the grave of Baronet Knox Gore in 1873 has been sandblasted and cleaned. Other headstones have also been repaired, one of which is dedicated to a family pet dog, Phizzie, dated 1890. With the help of FAS, over 250 tons of gravel have been used in carrying out these works.
Since 70 per cent of the trees at present are evergreen, it is proposed to plant up to 6,000 native species, particularly oak, ash and beech. The work schedule also includes signposting pathways, monuments and some of the very old and rare tree species. It is necessary also to take steps to prevent further erosion of the Moy bank in the vicinity of a stone-boat lodged there since 1937. The Crete Boom, built in England in 1919, was used until 1937 to train British cadets.