A tourism development to be officially opened this weekend may prove a turning point for the image of Courtown, Co Wexford.
For some years now, Gorey Courtown Forest Park Ltd has been striving to show that holiday homes can be provided in a context which takes account of overall environmental needs.
A non-profit organisation, which has received funding from Wexford County Council and is supported by local businesses, the company purchased 62 acres of woodland from Coillte in 1992 and allocated one-third for development.
Since then, just over 70 holiday homes have been built and a water-based leisure facility is being developed, while the remaining 40 acres of woodland are to be utilised as a forest park with upgraded paths and signs.
This work, which began in January last year and was overseen by environmental consultant Ted Walsh, involved the removal of commercial timber, allowing for the regeneration of ash and oak, and the restoration of infrastructure from the old Courtown Estate.
The restored walkways will be officially opened on Sunday by the Wexford-based Minister of State, Mr Hugh Byrne, as part of National Heritage Week.
Mr Byrne will also open exhibitions on art, wood crafts and wood products at the Riverchapel community centre. Seminars on Courtown's history and environment are planned for later in the week.
Mr Pat O'Donnell, the manager of Gorey Courtown Forest Park and its only paid employee, said the owners and managers of other holiday homes in the area were now being asked to contribute to the development of the water leisure facility.
He said all the profits from such developments, including the company's holiday homes, were spent on the provision of tourism projects such as the forest park.
He added that in conjunction with the company, Wexford County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service were also upgrading their sections of the woods, giving the area a 200-acre forest amenity.