Galway City Council has outlined plans to restore Merlin Woods as a resilient native woodland following the damage caused by Storm Eowyn, drawing on advice from an independent arborist and Dr Colin Lawton of the University of Galway's Zoology Department.

Their input ensures public safety, biodiversity and the welfare of the resident red squirrel population are at the core of the proposals.

The initiative is framed as an opportunity to strengthen one of Galway City's most valued natural amenities for wildlife, recreation and education. Irish Forestry Services Ireland, acting on behalf of the Council, is preparing an application to the Department under the NeighbourWood Scheme to secure funding for replanting. Approval will hinge on evidence of local support for the replanting and for proposed amenity additions such as trails, seating, signage and an outdoor classroom for schools and summer camps.

Immediately after the storm, the Council prioritised public safety by clearing and reopening the main pedestrian routes through the park. A number of secondary paths remain obstructed by fallen trees, and efforts are now focused on removing the remaining damaged trees and advancing plans to re-establish the site as a native woodland and public park.

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Merlin Woods has long comprised a mix of broadleaf and conifer species and has been enjoyed by both people and wildlife. Around half of the woodland consists of Norway spruce, planted in the 1960s as a commercial crop, and the vast majority of these trees suffered severe damage during Storm Eowyn.

Areas that fared best in the storm are primarily made up of native and broadleaf species, underlining the resilience of native woodland. Norway spruce is not a native species.

More than half of the woodland (54%) remains intact and will be safeguarded during clearance works. Some conifers still standing near public pathways were assessed for potential retention by an independent arborist, but the combination of site conditions and the effects of clearance would leave these trees exposed and weakened, necessitating their removal to protect public safety.

An independent arborist appointed by the Council stated: "This recommendation is a considered approach considering the topography of the site, the geology, the location in proximity to the western seaboard and tree species characteristics. I am recommending that the 3.5-hectare area is harvested and replanted with native broadleaf tree species."

At an early stage, the Council consulted Dr Colin Lawton, author of the Irish Squirrel Survey, to shape measures that support the resident red squirrel population and inform the overall restoration approach.

Dr Lawton's support and advice have directly influenced the harvest plan, including which trees to retain, post-harvest planting choices and the introduction of a supplementary squirrel feeding programme that the Council will implement immediately. Retained tree areas will maintain continuous canopy cover for red squirrels and other wildlife within the woods.