Peatland Restoration is a massive opportunity for Ireland and those seeking to proactively rehabilitate Ireland's landscape.

Ireland is home to a significant portion of Europe's peatlands. Owing to their carbon-capturing properties, peatlands have the potential to reduce national emissions by 5%. 

The best means of flood control and moderating water flow in rivers is to maintain the hydrological integrity of peat bogs. Maintaining and improving peat lands is the best way to ensure a continued supply of good quality drinking water in parts of Ireland. Conserving existing peat lands maintains existing reservoirs of fixed carbon (carbon not in the atmosphere). Encouraging inactive peat to grow again through restoration will increase the carbon stored in land ecosystems, so reducing Ireland’s carbon footprint. Conserving peat lands ensures the protection of their unique biodiversity. Protecting the ancient and cultural aspects of peat lands fosters Ireland’s sense of identity and national pride. (source - ipcc.ie)

Green Belt and our team of ecologists and practitioners, is actively reworking low yield class sites, with a high peat layer content. Our focus is to rehabilitate with a focus on biodiversity uplift. We measure carbon content, water tables and update levels and results over time.

For those interested in being active in the national  campaign to restore our Peatlands, get in touch to understand the potential projects to become involved with.

Green Belt Management plans

Forestry management plans, timber harvesting and Insurance cover are essential elements to protecting and enhancing your forestry assets. With your professional management plan, you will have a projection on the growth and volume present in your forest, and how that will look into the future. This also provides the platform to make better and more informed decisions on your forestry and woodland and plan into the future.

Green belt continues to innovate in our delivery of professional management plans - we use advanced technology to assist our field operations, and to provide you, the forest owner, with more comfort and detail in your prized asset.

Your forest is valuable, is a terrific legacy and something to be nurtured and proud of. Taking care of it, understanding it and working on it, when right to do so, is in your hands. We will help you. Green Belt will design a plan of activities to improve the value and performance of your plantation. This includes timber harvesting. Harvesting will add valuable volume to your timber, which will ultimately bring significant revenue from a clear fell harvest. A felling licence and forest road are necessary for these operations - Green Belt will apply for these on your behalf.

Ahead of this, you need to protect your investment - the best way to do this is through the Green Belt master insurance policy - an exclusive policy that many of our clients are part of, at a considerable cost saving.

A forest thrives under constant and consistent professional management. From initial establishment and seeking approval from the Forest Service, through to silvicultural maintenance with thinning and harvesting, to clearfell or continuous cover forestry, Green Belt's expert foresters are located nationally to support your forest activities.

Green Belt has developed a Four Year Forestry Management Contract which is specifically designed for farmers. The company will undertake to establish a forest for the farmer utilising the grant paid by the Forest Service. The Four Year Forestry Management Contract relieves you of all the risks in establishing your plantation and leaves you free to concentrate on your main farming activities.

The forest is maintained in optimal condition thus ensuring the plantation reaches the approved standard required to attract the appropriate grant.

Farmers who plant in association with Green Belt have the convenience and security which this contract offers. The contract includes:

• Fencing of the planted area
• Preparation of the ground
• Draining of land
• Supply and planting of trees
• Fertilising
• Vegetation Control
• Pest control
• Maintenance of woodland records

In addition, Green Belt will undertake to sell any forest it establishes, at any time if required, to one of its many Irish and foreign investors.

Professional Management for Increased Value

Professional forest management can increase the value adding potential at each stage of the forest growth. Green Belt has a comprehensive forest management package to maximise returns which includes:

• Initial site selection
• Species selection
• Provenence selection
• Seed selection
• Selection of silvicultural regime
• Thinning intensity and timing
• Genetic enhancement
• Fertilisation
• Timing of clearfell

Green Belt is proud of its heritage and history. Our mission is to provide professional forestry services, efficiently and effectively, with integrity and quality.

Our passionate, values-driven team is dedicated to growing our business while ensuring the complete satisfaction of our clients at all times.

To safeguard continuity and sustainability, our forests are economically viable, sustainably managed and planted in a socially responsible manner.

We believe that our honest and ethical approach to forestry will lead to an enhanced quality of life for our people and the communities they call home.

Timeline:

1982 - Mossie Ryan Tim O'Brien sit together and create Green Belt

1985 - The current HQ in Virginia is bought - they move out of the garage!

1986 - Disaster - our 2 clients leave the market on the same day

1986 - Success - support from Government led to investment from the US

1989 - The first afforestation grant in introduced as the Western Package

1992 - Premiums are paid for the first time for those planting

1995 - A bumper year for planting - Green Belt establishes 7,000 hectares of a 16k Ha national program

2000 - Issues in getting financial support from the government for forestry

2001 - Foot and Mouth hits Ireland

2002 - Ireland almost win the world cup (kind of)

2005 - Planting numbers are just over 10,000 hectares

2010 - Planting area starts to fall off

2012 - Green Belt grows its team of foresters

2014 - A revised forestry program is introduced with more focus on environmental impacts

2016 - Green Belt has assisted in the placing of more than €200 million into private forestry

2019 - All change with our first female CEO placed in charge - well done Imelda Connolly

2020 - COVID - Green Belt were deemed essential services so continued with our expert management

2023 - A new forestry program launched

2025 - Strom Eowyn devastates more than 10,000 hectares of forestry across Ireland

2025 - Minister Hayden appoints Michael Healy Rae to look after forestry

Green Belt foresters are located throughout Ireland, with their head office located in Virginia, County Cavan. Speak to your local forestry expert for the best advice on establishing your forest, harvesting your timber or securing a forestry investment.

Green Belt Head Quarters  +353 49 8548000 Out of Hours Voice Mail 049 4306965  reception@greenbelt.ie Green Belt provides consultancy services in tree and forestry planting and management. Our skills include land and forestry management and reporting in ESG and CSR initiatives to assist in like minded businesses achieve their offsetting targets.

Company Management

	Mossie Ryan  Managing Director +353 86 2588285 049 8548000  mryan@greenbelt.ie Mossie co-founded Green Belt with his business partner Tim O'Brien (deceased). As a pair, they had a vision and passion and drive that saw the development of the private forestry estate within Ireland as we see it now. Mossie is creative, focussed, driven and entrepreneurial and continues to lend his remarkable...
	Hugo McCormick  Group CEO +353 86 2592651 049 8548000  hugo@greenbelt.ie Hugo has worked with Green Belt since graduating UCD with First Class honours, more than 30 years ago. A practical and skilful forester, Hugo is CEO of the group, coordinating operations and performance across the team.

Northern Region

	George Beirne  Forester +353 86 2532326   George has enjoyed a full career in forestry and brings his experience, knowledge and storytelling talents to the team.
	Gerard Dunne  Forester +353 86 6012200 049 8548000  gdunne@greenbelt.ie Gerard is based in the North East and is a dedicated and life long forester. He develops long term, valued relationships with all his clients and works to deliver positive results.
	Paddy Gallagher  Forester +353 86 2588057 pgallagher@greenbelt.ie Paddy has been one of the best foresters in Ireland for well over 30 years now. An early appointment within Green Belt, Paddy has seen it and done it all. Focussing his wealth of knowledge and expertise in maximising returns and volume for forest owners, Paddy manages harvesting activities across the northern areas...
	Joe Tansey  Forester +353 86 2599190 jtansey@greenbelt.ie Joe has been a forester with Green Belt for over 30 years. He has developed plantations all across Roscommon and Leitrim and is a power house of knowledge and information when it comes to successfully and efficiently establishing a strong plantation.

Southern Region

	Aaron Browne  Forester 0873978794 aaron@greenbelt.ie Aaron is an accomplished forester with experience across Ireland. He is a committed and personable character that is well travelled and has a strong record of sporting achievements.
	John Crawford  Forester 086 835 6095 johnc@greenbelt.ie John is a highly accomplished forester. His recent experience includes teaching and training in Ballyhaise college as well as earlier work with Green Belt. A Cavan native, John is knowledgable in farm enterprises, having been raised on a farm himself, and continuing to work on farm.

Western Region

	Mike Moroney  Forester +353 87 3291068 mmoroney@greenbelt.ie Mike is from County Clare and has been a valued member of the team for more than 12 years now. He is skilled at land acquisitions, forestry management and horticultural and landscaping services. Mike is a diligent and hard working character that will ensure the work is completed to exacting standards.
	David Sweeney  Forester 087 751 2125 059 85 48000  david@greenbelt.ie David is a young forester, with a great work ethic. He is from a farming background and understands the value of the land to farmers and how important the introduction of forestry can be to the enterprise. Contact David to help with woodland planting, Ash reconstitution and timber harvesting.

Investment

Maurice Ryan  Director, Business Development +353 87 6753097 +353 49 8548000  maurice@greenbelt.ie Maurice is passionate about forestry as a solution for climate change. All aspects of forestry can have a positive carbon capture and storage story - and to support this, the circular bioeconomy has a pivotal role to play to add further ESG and economic value to Irelands forests.

Woodlands and the long term products created from forests and woodlands store CO2. It's really important to remember, you always own the trees and the land.

Planting a forest is extremely rewarding. When you consider planting a forest, Green Belt and our team of professional foresters will guide you through the full application process through to establishment and through the lifecycle. Considering forestry is an important life choice and there are many positive benefits and gains to be made - the obvious financial gains, of course whereby there is a full grant to cover the establishment costs. Additionally, there is an annual premium, paid to you as landowner, directly, for 20 years as a farmer (15 years for non-farmers).

Annual premiums, paid directly to the landowner, are available for the forest owner for 20 years, and valued up to €1,103 per hectare depending on the species selected - important to remember we plant The Right Tree in the Right Place, for the Right Reasons. Green Belt works with the forest owners (you!) throughout the lifecycle of the plantation and we advise on all aspects of forestry estate management. Our focus is on managing the plantation to fulfill its potential - for some it's financial, for others it's an amenity. Regardless, each forest is important and adds so much to the local community and the private estate in Ireland.

Forestry Earnings

• Calculate your earnings from forestry premiums

Download Documents: 

New and improved forestry premium rates

Details of the New Forestry Program

Privacy Policy

This website uses Cookies and similar technologies in order to differentiate your browser from other users. Your acceptance of Our Cookie Policy is deemed to occur when you press the 'I accept' button on the cookie pop-up when you first access this website. If you do not agree to Our Cookie Policy, please stop using this website (www.greenbelt.ie, www.fact.ie, www.forinvest.ie and www.forestryinvestment.ie) immediately.

GDPR

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) seeks to protect and enhance the rights of data subjects. These rights cover the safeguarding of personal data, protection against the unlawful processing of personal data and the unrestricted movement of personal data within the EU. It should be noted that GDPR does not apply to information already in the public domain such as Companies House data.

Download Documents: 

Greenbelt GDPR Notice (PDF)

Greenbelt Service Opt-In (PDF)

Timber Harvesting

Timber harvesting is an essential silvicultural process for most forestry stands. Our professional foresters will guide you through the entire process.

Thinning and harvesting your plantation is a big decision. Your local forester works with you to determine the best options and plan for your forest. Harvesting at the right time, to the correct intensity and manging the process and works are just part of the professional services our expert foresters deliver. Whether your forest is a hardwood plantation or being grown for timber production, there is a plan that can de designed for you  

We provide a detailed analysis of the forest pre and post harvesting and monitor the impacts of frequency and volume of harvest. 

Our vision of forestry is long term - even if yours might be shorter term view.  Working together can be where the greatest value and returns can be generated. You can find a harvesting calculator below.

Our team of professional foresters can expertly analyse your plantation and discuss the logistics of the harvesting operation with the design and construction of a forest road.

A felling licence is required to facilitate harvesting and very often a forest road will be necessary to provide sufficient access. A felling licence and associated road grant application are complex submissions, so with our in house ecology team, we will make this application process as smooth as possible. Once the licence has been issued, you benefit from the nationwide harvesting operations of Green Belt in improved timber pricing and performance.

Green Belt enjoys a strong working relationship with all the main sawmills across the country and as we work for you, the forest owner, the decision on harvesting contractor and sawmill is based on the best options for you.

Harvesting Trees - Estimated Harvesting Value

Return on investment calculations are based on the most common scheme prices. Prices from 1st Jan 2019 and may vary due to various factors. Please get in touch with Greenbelt for more options.

For most applications to the Forest Service, there is a necessity for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). These reports address the impacts forestry may have on the environment within a 15km radius of the forest or proposed forest. Green Belt can facilitate this report and submit it to the Forest Service which is likely to expedite your application to approval. These reports are a very important factor for the future of the forestry industry and something we encourage to ensure all stakeholders, all nature, flora, fauna etc is protected and enhanced.

Please contact your local forester to discuss the options for your application.