Balrath Woods - History

In 1600 about one eight of Ireland was forested; by 1800 that proportion had been reduced to a fiftieth (2%) as a result of commercial exploitation of the Irish woodlands following the establishment of English control over the whole country. Today, Ireland’s native woodlands currently stand at only 1% or less of the land surface, the remainder being mostly commercial plantation. Our woods form part of this ever-declining natural treasure, and there follows a brief historical outline of these beautiful woodlands.

The woods in this area have been known as Somerville woods for generations. However, since 1st January 1989 the management of public forests has been the responsibility of Coillte Teoranta (The Irish Forestry Board) and their maps name them Balrath. In reality, the main concentration of woodlands are in the townlands of Burtonstown, Danestown and Flemingstown.