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Mullaghmeen Country |
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Mullaghmeen is the largest planted beech forest in Western Europe. The area of 1,000 acres are situated on the Meath / Westmeath border overlooking Lough Sheelin. The White Hill is also the highest land point of County Westmeath. The lands know as the Gradwell Estate was bought by the Irish Government through the Department of Agriculture in the early 1930's. They carried out soil tests and on discovering the soil rich in limestone decided it was best suited to the planting of deciduous trees. During the years that followed, some 114 men worked on the planting project and making road-ways through the forest. At the Halfcarton end, charcoal making took place during the late 1930's and 1940's using the large amount of laurel that grew there. Two local men Michael McCabe and Pat Lynch who worked on this project are still with us. During the following years the semi-state body Coillte took over the management of all forests, Mullaghmeen included. A few years ago a group of people with an interest in the forest came together to put a plan in place in partnership with Coillte to develop the forest as an amenity park creating walks, picnic areas and a general clean-up. From the developments Mullaghmeen Group have organised educational walks from schools in the local area. A number of walking clubs also use the facilities on a regular basis. It is now recognised as a prime location for Orienteering with the National Orienteering Championships been held in 2001. Mullaghmeen Country Enterprises Ltd., a company, is now in place to manage a Social Economy Programme and giving full-time employment to six people (five workers and a manager). A factory unit is planned and will be in place by end of 2002. All of these developments could not have taken place without the help of Coillte, Fas, the Partnership Board, V.E.C., County Council, Department of Social Welfare and Family Affairs, the Committee and the people working on the Project. Wishing Ballinacree Historical Committee all the best with their venture. Martin Smyth
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