RDS Forest & Woodland Awards
These Awards recognise and reward farmers and woodland owners that have adopted Climate-Smart Agricultural practices on their properties. These practices include sound commercial management, environmental protection, and biodiversity.
Delivered in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, and Woodlands of Ireland.
The call for entries is now open for the 2026 Awards
Award Categories:
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Silvicultural Excellence & Innovation Award
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Community Woodland Award
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Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
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Native Woodland Conservation Award
The deadline to apply is January 30, 2026.
Download the application form below to apply.
If you have any questions, please email forestry@rds.ie
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Silvicultural Excellence & Innovation Category, Community Woodland Category, Native Woodland Conservation Category:
- The winner in each of these categories will receive €2,000, an RDS Silver Medal and a specially commissioned trophy.
- The runner-up in each category will receive €1,000 and an RDS Certificate of Merit.
Teagasc Farm Forestry Category:
- The winner of the Teagasc Farm Forestry Category will receive €3,000, an RDS Silver Medal, and a specially commissioned trophy.
- The runner-up in the Teagasc Farm Forestry Category will receive €1,200 and an RDS Certificate of Merit.
- The shortlisted is each category will be announced in local newspapers and on the RDS social media channels.
- All the unsuccessful applicants will receive a letter from the judging panel to share constructive feedback.
- Award winners will be announced at the 2026 RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards ceremony which will take place in the RDS Concert Hall in April.
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Head Judge
Dr. Mick Keane, Forest Consultant
Judges
Mr Henry Phillips, Forestry Consultant
Mr Joe Gowran, CEO of the Woodlands of Ireland
Mr PJ Fitzpatrick, retired Divisional Manager with Coillte. Active member of the Society of Irish Foresters
Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
The Teagasc Farm Forestry Award recognises working farmers who are integrating forestry and farming for environmental, social and economic benefits. The category aims to promote the positive sustainable contribution of forestry as an integral enterprise within the wider farming profile. It acknowledges the farmer’s role in actively managing the forest and promoting tree planting to strengthen wider farming sustainability.
Community Woodland Award
The Community Woodland Award is designed to encourage and reward projects involving the communal ownership and/or management of forests and woodlands which have been established and managed in a sustainable way that is beneficial to the local economy and/or environment. Entry is open to community-based voluntary groups, participants in the NeighbourWoods Scheme, and privately owned public amenity forestry projects. Entrants should also be able to demonstrate significant and sustained community input.
Native Woodland Conservation Award
The Native Woodland Conservation Award aims to recognise excellence in the conservation and management of native forests and semi-natural woodlands which are regarded as ancient or long established* and managed in a sustainable way that is both beneficial to biodiversity and the local economy.
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Silvicultural Excellence Award
Winner – John Normanly & Maria McDonnell, Co. Sligo
Runner up – John Joe Dunne, Co. Laois
Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
Winner – Brian Flanagan, Co. Roscommon
Runner up – Hugh Barrett, Co. Wexford
Community Woodlands Award
Winner – Crough Wood, Co. Waterford
Runner up – Terryland Forest Park, Galway City
Native Woodland Conservation Award
Winner – Hazelwood (Coillte), Co. Sligo
Runner up – Paul Maguire, Co. Mayo
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Production Forestry Award
Winner – Ross Buchanan, Co. Donegal
Runner up – Jonathan Sykes, Co. Limerick
Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
Winner – Derek and Yvonne Mc Cabe, Co. Cavan
Runner up – James & Martina Ham, Co. Westmeath
Community Woodlands Award
Winner – Mallow Castle Grounds & Town Park, Co. Cork
Runner up – Carrigmeal Woodland, Co. Laois
Native Woodland Conservation Award
Winner – Coill an Fhaltaigh, Co. Kilkenny
Runner up – Slane Castle Estate, Co. Meath
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Production Forestry Award
Winner – Desmond and Elaine Drew, Co. Dublin Find out more
Runner up – Liam and Helen Bresnan, Co. Limerick
Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
Winner – Sean Creamer, Co. Leitrim Find out more
Runner up – Isabella Donnely, Co. Westmeath
Community Woodlands Award
Winner – Knockranny Wood (Colonels wood), Co. Mayo
Runner up – 12 O’Clock Hills, Co. Clare
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Production Forestry Award
Winner – Seaforde Estate, Co. Down Find out more
Runner up – Mount Callan Tree Farm, Co. Clare
Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
Winner – Cathal Rudden, Co. Cavan Find out more
Runner up – Willie and Avril Allshire, Co. Cork
Community Woodlands Award
Winner – The Lord’s Wood, Co. Wicklow Find out more
Runner up – Carrigmeal Woodlands, Co. Laois
Learn more about the RDS & Irish Forestry Connection
From its earliest foundation, the RDS has sought to encourage innovation and the promotion of best practice in Irish agriculture. Today, the RDS Agriculture & Rural Affairs programme promotes the very best in Irish farming, forestry, and rural enterprise, which contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture, and enhancement of rural communities on this island.
To learn more about the history of the RDS and Irish Forestry, listen below to the RDS Podcast.