Michael Healy-Rae urges public to support Ireland's Christmas tree sector
(Left to right) Minister of state with responsibility for forestry Michael Healy-Rae met two generations of Christmas tree farmers, Darragh Kelleher and his father Martin at Kelleher’s Christmas Tree Farm in Kildare. Photo: Maxwell Photography
The Irish public is being encouraged to support their local Christmas tree farms this festive period.
The message comes from minister of state with responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae, who met with the father-son duo running Kelleher’s Christmas Tree Farm in Naas, Co Kildare.
Martin Kelleher and his son, Darragh Kelleher, hosted the minister this week, who said how impressed he was with the Irish Christmas tree sector and how things have changed since Mr Healy-Rae himself sold Christmas trees almost 50 years ago.
The minister said: “As a young fella of about 10 years of age, I used to cut Christmas trees and deliver them on my bicycle around the parish. I’ll never forget the joy people had when a real tree arrived at their door.Â
"There’s a magic in the smell of a real Christmas tree in the house. It’s a tradition rooted in Irish homes for decades.”Â
Irish growers produce around 700,000 Christmas trees each year, with 450,000 sold in Ireland and approximately 250,000 exported abroad, mainly to the UK. It is said the sector contributes an estimated €21m to the Irish economy annually.
The minister added: “My department’s Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector helps to support the sector by grant-aiding capital investments in specialised equipment to manage and harvest the crop.
"The 2026 scheme is currently open for applications, and I would encourage growers to apply. Information on the scheme can be found on the department website.”Â
The deadline for receipt of completed applications for the 2026 Scheme is 5pm on Friday, December 12, 2025.
