Surge in visitors to Coillte forests due to Covid

Overall visitor numbers to the Coillte’s top 50 forests were 2.2 million from the beginning of March to the end of December last year

Young fallow deer in Farran Woods, Co Cork. A survey by Coillte found Farran is one of the five forests suggested for thrill-seeking due to the zip-lining attraction. Picture: Darragh Kane

THERE has been a huge surge in the numbers of people visiting Coillte forests since Covid-19 began.

But a new study has also revealed that 56% of the Irish adults polled did not know there are 260 Coillte recreational forests they can visit mostly for free or relatively low cost.