Developed in partnership between Coillte, Fáilte Ireland and EAK Ireland, 'Beyond the Trees Avondale' combines a 700 metre Treetop Walk with a 12 storey high Viewing Tower. Approximately 60 new full and part-time jobs have been created to staff the site, the majority of whom are from the locality.
President Michael D Higgins visited Avondale Forest Park to officially open the new visitor destination.
Speaking as he formally opened Avondale House and Forest Park, President Higgins said: "In terms of lived experience, may I suggest that places like Avondale House and Forest Park allow us all – people from diverse walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds – to reconnect with nature, to reaffirm its critical position in our lives, perhaps even to commit to taking individual and collective actions to protect it, to tackle declining biodiversity and climate change.
"This could be the greatest impact and legacy of this beautiful forest park which I am so pleased to formally open today."
The Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower have been developed by EAK, a German company and an experienced developer of such facilities in Europe. All of EAK's treetop walks, including the facility at Avondale, are designed to be easily accessible and offer 'access for all' to wheelchairs, prams and elderly visitors, making Beyond the Trees Avondale a perfect excursion destination for the widest range of visitors. EAK Ireland is a partnership between EAK and Carlingford Adventure Centre to find the best locations to create amazing treetop walks in Ireland and UK.
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In addition to the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower, this new destination includes a Walled Garden, Seed Café, a children's playground, a sensory garden, a Coillte pavilion area which showcases the history and relevance of Irish forestry and a series of facilities to ensure the overall site is as inclusive as possible to those of all abilities. The project was constructed with sustainability at its core using fully renewable and climate friendly wood products. Homegrown timber was used to create the innovative timber structures seen at the park. Locally sourced Douglas fir and larch was used for the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower, and the longest spans ever produced from homegrown Sitka spruce are clearly visible in the new Seed Café.
Imelda Hurley, CEO, Coillte, commented: "Avondale is a very special site for Coillte, both because of its unique forestry heritage and the historical connection to the Parnell family. We are honoured to welcome President Higgins here today to officially open Ireland's latest world class visitor destination, Beyond the Trees Avondale, a unique collaboration between Coillte, Failte Ireland and EAK Ireland which offers visitors, young and old, the opportunity to experience the beauty of Avondale and the surrounding Wicklow countryside in a fascinating new way that brings drama and excitement to the simple exploration of the forest.
"Every consideration has been given to sustainability and accessibility in the development of this spectacular visitor destination, and we are very proud to join with Failte Ireland and EAK Ireland to welcome Irish and international visitors to go Beyond the Trees here at Avondale. Our new forestry vision announced earlier this year aims, among other things, to grow new forests, manage our existing forests for greater carbon capture, deliver valuable wood products and enhance biodiversity. In addition, this vision aims to create more incredible visitor experiences for the enjoyment of our citizens and tourists, with Beyond the Trees Avondale being an outstanding example of a new world class visitor experience on the Coillte estate."
Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland added: "Investing in standout attractions is a key element of attracting international visitors to Ireland and encouraging domestic tourists to explore different areas of Ireland. Beyond the Trees Avondale is a totally unique world-class addition to the tourism offering in Ireland and will attract thousands of visitors to Wicklow and the wider Ireland's Ancient East region, driving regional tourism growth and economic benefits for local communities.
"Beyond the Trees has been executed with sustainability at its core, delivering on Fáilte Ireland's Opening the Outdoors strategic pillar and contributing another exciting focal point in Ireland's Ancient East that supports our ambition to develop Ireland as an internationally recognised Outdoor Activity destination. We are pleased to have developed this significant project under our strategic partnership with Coillte and our partners in EAK Ireland, and we look forward to seeing it develop as a must-visit destination for domestic and international tourists in the years ahead."
Beyond the Trees Avondale expects to attract 200,000 to 250,000 visitors within a full year of opening.
