2004 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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Mohill Vocational School, Mohill, CO. Leitrim
Sharon Keegan & Aine Gildea
Land zoning for forestry and agriculture in Co. Leitrim

Aine Gildea and Sharon Keegan at the exhibition

Our project investigated the conflicting interests between farming and forestry in Leitrim, investigating the various attitudes of people towards forestry, and factors favouring planting on drumlin and blanket peat soils. Within this objective, we investigated windblow, slope elevation, accessibility, employment potential, and shortfall of timber imports. We also surveyed three sawmills in the Leitrim region.

Our findings are shown in graph form and we would summarise our findings as follows:

  • Leitrim, especially the Northern regions, has extensive forests at present (15% approx.).

  • The above could be increased to at least 20%.

  • Plantation in future would bring many advantages such as employment. There is a very high employment potential on a 25-year rotation.

  • As Ireland has a low percentage of land covered by forests, it imports most of the timber used (80% approx.).

  • Leitrim has a very high yield class (15-34). The quality of the timber is superior to Europe � especially pine.


We measured the wind speed using our anemometer to compare our recordings with national figures. We also took two soil profiles and tested them to see if alkalinity and acidity affected tree growth.

Our fieldwork and investigation for this project were done with the help of County Forester Noel Kennedy, Mr Mc Grath, our Science Teacher, and the staff of Teagasc Mohill and Boyle.

Sharon Keegan & Aine Gildea entered their project in the Intermediate Group Section in the Biological and Ecological Sciences Category at the EsatBT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in January 2004. They won a Special Award sponsored by COFORD � The National Council for Forest Research & Development. Their teacher was Mr Michael Mc Grath.


This article was sponsored by COFORD The National Council for Forest Research & Development