Early historic references would indicate that Ireland was heavily afforested when people first inhabited our island. By the early 1900’s the area under forest was very small and showed a continuing reduction. Between the years 1904 – 1922 just over 3,000 acres of new planting was achieved.

After independence there was a marked increase and almost 3,000 acres were planted annually between 1922 – 1934. Today the state own one million acres of forest approximately (i.e. 5.7 % of total land area).

Mountshannon and surrounding town lands generated a valuable forest asset on behalf of the state. This work commenced when the Hibbert estate was divided in the mid 1920’s with the state retaining the present forest lands at Woodpark and Bohatch. The first major task was to plant Bohatch, an area of 500 acres. Earliest forest records date back to 1927 when the afforestation began (see management record). Jack Woods and Gerry Keenan were the first men to start work in 1927 and were quickly followed by several other local men. As the years progressed the area of forest land increased to its present position; where almost 4,000 acres are now planted in the parish of Mountshannon and Whitegate.

Forestry and its downstream industries have also played an important part in the life of the parish. As with most employment it brought a form of financial security to families and often removed the threat of emigration. Working in forestry was physically hard, but men did so with good will and dedication which resulted in targets achieved ahead of plan. These men, whatever the time of year or the weather, had one thing in common – a sense of fun, laughter and endless practical jokes.

The availability of local timber created further industry and employment in the parish. Robert Flynn first set up a sawmill at the turn of the century which was driven by water from the Millpool stream. The timber sawn was mainly oak and Scots pine. After 20 years Robert moved to the lakeshore where the power to run his mill was from a steam engine. Later still, with his son Benny, the Flynn’s main power source was from a tractor and pulleys. A small manufacturing business from timber products was also carried out on the site.

During the year 1941 – 1942 Blunneys of Kilrush installed a portable sawmill at Sellernaun, giving employment to over 20 men, with the timber coming from a radius of 4 miles.

McMahon's sawmill first came to Cappaduff and later to Boleynagough in the 1950’s. In its day it was an efficient mill, using the most modern equipment available. This mill closed in the early 1980’s.

In 1980 Mountshannon Stakes Ltd. Commenced stake production. After 13 years of trading and expansion it closed in 1993.

Nowadays modern technology has developed highly efficient machines which are capable of producing the work of 20 men. However, they lack the personal touch which has been traditional to forestry.

Joe Duffy

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