Festival of Trees – Cork – Ireland 2025

Background & History

The Festival of Trees in Cork is a key component of National Tree Week 2025, organized by the Tree Council of Ireland and supported by Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company. Running from 9–16 March 2025, National Tree Week, themed “Planting Trees, Growing Together,” celebrates the environmental and social benefits of trees through free community events. Initiated in 1985, it has facilitated the planting of nearly one million trees across Ireland, including over 5,000 in Cork County in the past six years.

In Cork, the festival includes tree planting, educational workshops, and community activities, with Cork County Council offering native saplings (e.g., oak, birch, hazel) to schools and groups. National Tree Day, on 2 October 2025, complements the week with school-focused activities led by mascot Sammy Squirrel, promoting environmental stewardship among children. The festival fosters community engagement and sustainability, supported by initiatives like Coillte’s donation of 150,000 saplings nationwide in 2025.

Event Highlights

• Tree Planting Events: 9–16 March, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, various Cork locations (e.g., Ballincollig Regional Park), free, saplings provided.
• Forest Walks: 9–15 March, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, speculative venues (e.g., Currabinny Woods), free.
• Educational Workshops: 10–14 March, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, speculative venues (e.g., Cork City Library), free, focus on tree maintenance and biodiversity.
• Coillte Schools’ Photography Competition Exhibition: 9–16 March, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, speculative venue (e.g., Cork County Hall), free.
• National Tree Day (Schools): 2 October, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Cork schools (e.g., Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig), free, includes sapling planting and nature walks.

City

• Cork: Ireland’s second-largest city, known for its vibrant cultural scene, River Lee, and green spaces like Fitzgerald Park and Ballincollig Regional Park.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues:
  • Ballincollig Regional Park: Ballincollig, Co. Cork, P31 YD61 (tree planting).
  • Cork County Hall: Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 R2NC (saplings collection, exhibitions).
  • Cork City Library: 57-61 Grand Parade, Cork, T12 NT99 (workshops).
  • Currabinny Woods: Carrigaline, Co. Cork, P43 VF61 (forest walks).
• Administrative Contact: Tree Council of Ireland, c/o Kilmainham Mills, Dublin 8, D08 R2CV (inquiries only).
• Saplings Collection: Cork County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 R2NC, or select Cork County Council premises (TBD February 2025).
• Note: Full venue list and sapling pick-up details TBD February 2025 at www.treecouncil.ie or www.corkcoco.ie.

Date & Duration

• National Tree Week (Festival of Trees):
  • Dates: 9–16 March 2025 (Sunday–Sunday).
  • Duration: 8 days.
  • Opening Times (Estimated): Tree planting: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM; Workshops: 2:00 PM–4:00 PM; Walks: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM; Exhibitions: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.
• National Tree Day:
  • Date: 2 October 2025 (Thursday).
  • Duration: 1 day.
  • Opening Times: School activities: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM.
• Note: Times speculative except for confirmed dates; full schedule TBD February 2025 at www.treecouncil.ie.

Venue / Location

• Ballincollig Regional Park: Accessible, tree planting, and community events.
• Cork County Hall: Accessible, sapling distribution, and exhibitions.
• Cork City Library: Accessible, workshops on tree care and biodiversity.
• Currabinny Woods: Accessible, forest walks, natural setting.
• Additional Venues: Speculative (e.g., Fitzgerald Park, T12 V0AA; Rebel Reads, Marina Commercial Park, T12 X4CF), TBD February 2025.
• Note: Full venue list at www.treecouncil.ie or www.corkcoco.ie.

Contact Information

• Email: trees@treecouncil.ie (general inquiries); corkheritage@corkcoco.ie (Cork sapling requests).
• Phone: +353 1 493 1312 (Tree Council); +353 21 4285905 (Cork County Council).
• Website: www.treecouncil.ie (National Tree Week); www.treeday.ie (National Tree Day); www.corkcoco.ie (Cork-specific).
• Social Media: Follow @TreeCouncilIE on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
• Ticketing: Most events free; sapling requests via corkheritage@corkcoco.ie by 28 February 2025. Contact trees@treecouncil.ie for accessibility or group inquiries.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Most events are free, no booking required. Sapling requests via corkheritage@corkcoco.ie (deadline 28 February 2025). Limited ticketed workshops (e.g., tree maintenance) may require registration via www.treecouncil.ie (opens February 2025). Contact trees@treecouncil.ie for accessibility.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD as of August 2025):
  • Tree Planting Events: Free, saplings provided (oak, birch, hazel; 5–10 per group).
  • Forest Walks: Free.
  • Educational Workshops: Free or $5.35–$10.70 USD (speculative, based on 2024 Rebel Reads event).
  • Photography Competition Exhibition: Free.
  • National Tree Day Activities: Free, includes 2,000 free saplings for schools via www.treeday.ie.
  • Booking Fees: None for free events; ~$1–$2 USD for ticketed workshops (speculative).
  • Concession/Student: No discounts needed, as most events are free.
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for all events with supervision; school activities designed for primary students.
• Additional Notes:
  • Pricing based on provided data (most events free) and 2024 patterns (e.g., Rebel Reads €1/tree event). Ticketed workshop prices estimated from similar festivals (e.g., Architecture at the Edge).
  • Full details TBD February 2025 at www.treecouncil.ie or www.corkcoco.ie.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Celebrates Ireland’s native trees and environmental heritage.
• Events & Festivals: Week-long community-driven tree celebration.
• Education & Learning: Workshops and school activities on environmental stewardship.

Cultural Significance

The Festival of Trees, part of National Tree Week since 1985, promotes Ireland’s native woodlands and environmental awareness. In Cork, it engages communities through tree planting and education, with over 5,000 trees planted in the county since 2019. National Tree Day, led by Sammy Squirrel, fosters a love for nature among children, contributing to nearly one million trees planted nationwide. The 2025 theme, “Planting Trees, Growing Together,” emphasizes community bonds and sustainability.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venues: Snacks/drinks at Cork City Library, Cork County Hall ($3–$10 USD). Tree planting events may include tea/cakes (e.g., Rebel Reads 2024).
• Nearby Dining (Cork):
  • The Bookshelf Coffee House: 6 South Mall, Cork ($5–$15 USD, 5-minute walk from Cork City Library).
  • The Quay Co-op: 24 Sullivan’s Quay, Cork ($10–$20 USD, 10-minute walk from Cork City Library).
  • The Rocket Man: 38 MacCurtain Street, Cork ($5–$15 USD, 15-minute walk from Cork County Hall).
• Nearby Dining (Ballincollig):
  • The White Horse: West Village, Ballincollig ($10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk from Ballincollig Regional Park).
• Alcohol Policy: Not available at family-friendly events; permitted at select venues with restrictions.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • All events are suitable for families; National Tree Day is designed for primary school children with supervision.
  • Activities include tree planting, nature walks, and art projects.
• Accessibility:
  • Venues (e.g., Ballincollig Regional Park, Cork City Library) are wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
  • Contact trees@treecouncil.ie or corkheritage@corkcoco.ie for ISL or sensory accommodations.
  • Full accessibility details TBD February 2025 at www.treecouncil.ie.

Getting There

• By Air: Cork Airport (ORK, 8 km from Cork city, 15-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Bus Éireann to Parnell Place Bus Station (5-minute walk to Cork City Library).
  • Train: Irish Rail to Kent Station (10-minute walk to Cork County Hall).
• By Car: Paid parking at Q-Park City Centre, Grand Parade (~$3 USD/hour, 5-minute walk to Cork City Library); Ballincollig Regional Park has free parking.
• Rideshare: Free Now or Uber from ORK (~$10–$20 USD to the city centre).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Tree Planting Events: 9–16 March, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, Ballincollig Regional Park, free, saplings via corkheritage@corkcoco.ie.
  • National Tree Day: 2 October, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Cork schools, free, saplings via www.treeday.ie.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Forest Walks: 9–15 March, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, Currabinny Woods, free.
  • Educational Workshops: 10–14 March, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, Cork City Library, free or $5.35–$10.70 USD.
  • Photography Competition Exhibition: 9–16 March, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Cork County Hall, free.
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed events; full details TBD February 2025 at www.treecouncil.ie or www.corkcoco.ie.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: Rebel Reads tree planting (€1/tree), Ballincollig tree giveaways, Union Hall Mixed National School’s photography competition win.
• Past Achievements: Over 5,000 trees planted in Cork County since 2019; 150,000 saplings donated nationwide in 2024.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Tree Planting: Coillte’s 150,000 native saplings promote carbon capture and biodiversity.
• Eco Practices: Recycling bins at venues; digital programmes encouraged.
• Note: 2025 details TBD at www.treecouncil.ie.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Free or $5.35–$10.70 USD, covering tree maintenance and biodiversity.
• National Tree Day: Free school activities (e.g., planting, nature walks) foster environmental stewardship.
• Photography Competition: Encourages children to engage with nature creatively.

Cultural Activities

• Tree Planting: 9–16 March, Ballincollig Regional Park, free.
• Forest Walks: 9–15 March, Currabinny Woods, free.
• Workshops: 10–14 March, Cork City Library, free or $5.35–$10.70 USD.
• Exhibitions: 9–16 March, Cork County Hall, free.
• National Tree Day: 2 October, Cork schools, free.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Sapling requests by 28 February 2025 via corkheritage@corkcoco.ie; workshop registration (if ticketed) via www.treecouncil.ie (February 2025).
• Weather Prep: March (40–50°F) and October (45–55°F) are cool and rainy; pack waterproofs.
• Explore Locally: Cork: English Market (free, 5-minute walk from Cork City Library); Blarney Castle ($20 USD, 15-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Use Leap Card for Bus Éireann (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.treecouncil.ie (no app).

Local Attractions

• Cork:
  • English Market: Princes Street, Cork (free, 5-minute walk from Cork City Library).
  • Cork Public Museum: Fitzgerald Park, Cork ($5 USD, 15-minute walk from Cork County Hall).
  • Blarney Castle: Blarney, Co. Cork ($20 USD, 15-minute drive from Ballincollig).
• Ballincollig:
  • Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills: Ballincollig Regional Park ($5 USD, 5-minute walk).

Accommodation Options

• Cork:
  • Hotels: The River Lee Hotel, Western Road ($100–$200 USD/night, 10-minute walk to Cork County Hall).
  • B&Bs: Garnish House, Western Road ($50–$100 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
  • Hostels: Sheilas Cork Hostel, Belgrave Place ($20–$50 USD/night, 10-minute walk to Cork City Library).
  • Airbnb: Cork apartments ($50–$150 USD/night).
• Ballincollig:
  • Hotels: Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig ($80–$150 USD/night, 5-minute walk to Ballincollig Regional Park).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the March peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at major venues; Cork University Hospital (10-minute drive from city centre).
• Security: Volunteer stewards at events; minimal bag checks at outdoor venues.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Outdoor events; bring umbrellas/boots for rain.