President and Sabina Higgins plant 2,000 tree native-variety mini forest in grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin

President and Sabina Higgins plant 2,000 tree native-variety mini forest in grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin

Date: Fri 22nd Nov, 2024 | 14:25

• Trees planted as part of the One Hundred Million Trees Project, which aims to plant 100 million native variety trees across Ireland over the next decade
• Project seeks to foster environmental sustainability, create greater biodiversity and combat climate change

22 November 2024

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina today hosted the planting of a 2,000 tree native-variety mini forest in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin.

The trees, planted in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, are part of the One Hundred Million Trees Project, a community-driven volunteer project that has as its aim to plant 100 million native variety trees throughout Ireland over the next decade, aimed at fostering environmental sustainability, creating greater biodiversity and combating climate change.

Since it commenced in 2022, the 100 Million Trees Project has led to 220,000 trees being planted across the country. This year, the project is planning to plan 550,000 trees across 230 sites in 2019 counties between November and May.

In a statement, President Higgins said:

"The planting of trees is of vital importance in combatting climate change and helping to restore the essential biodiversity which is needed to sustain our planet. I am delighted that this new mini forest has been planted in Áras an Uachtaráin, which joins a significant number of sustainability measures which we continue to take on the grounds.

The vision, ambition and commitment of Richard, David and Tina Mulcahy, as well as all of their volunteers and supporters throughout the country in the 100 Million Trees Project is to be applauded. Grassroots, volunteer-led campaigns such as this can make a very real contribution in combatting the stark climate change challenges facing our society and I congratulate them on the very significant tree planting which they will continue to undertake across the country in the months ahead."

Richard Mulcahy, who began the One Hundred Million Trees (100MT) initiative with his brother David and sister Tina, said:

"We sincerely thank President and Mrs Higgins for the generous support they have shown for the 100MT programme and today's very special planting event at Áras an Úachtaráin. We have caught the public imagination and our success to date comes down to the dedication of our volunteers, our fantastic sponsors, our professional partners and all those communities and individuals who have come forward and offered planting sites throughout the country. Our target for 2025 is for an additional 550,000 trees to be planted between now and next April, bringing us to almost three quarter of a million new native trees planted in total over just three years."

The planting of the mini forest is one of a number of sustainability measures which President Higgins has undertaken at Áras an Uachtaráin over the course of his Presidency. At the request of the President, the OPW in 2019 commissioned Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Science to conduct a biodiversity audit of the Áras and its grounds. The final report, published in October 2020, catalogued nearly 300 species of plant, nearly 200 species of fungi, more than 50 species of bird and nearly 250 species of invertebrates on the grounds. The audit made 49 recommendations in relation to biodiversity which the OPW have been implementing in the time since.

Earlier this month, Dexter Cattle once again returned to Áras an Uachtaráin where they will reduce grass on the grounds ahead of the spring and summer months, allowing for more species to flower, benefitting nature and soil, as well as promoting the genetic diversity of Ireland's cattle. The Dexter Cattle have returned to the grounds each autumn since 2022.

Honey production from the hives at Áras an Uachtaráin has won awards for its taste and quality, while the certified organic kitchen gardens provide food and drinks that are served at events at the Áras.

In additions to their work on sustainability, the President and Sabina have also made a number of significant additions to the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin in order to ensure an appropriate remembrance of Ireland's history. Such additions include the planting of 16 memorial birch trees in honour of those executed in 1916 - fulfilling a resolution passed by the first Dáil in August 1919, the installation of Dearcán na nDaoine/The People's Acorn as part of the 1916 centenary commemorations, and the installation of The Plough and the Stars in commemoration of the 1913 Lockout, the Irish Citizen Army and playwright Seán O'Casey.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The One Hundred Million Trees Project encourages community members, environmental enthusiasts, and volunteers to join hands in achieving this season's ambitious goal. For more information and to get involved, visit https://100milliontreesproject.ie/ .

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