Out of the 260 forest recreational area’s managed by Coillte across the country, Jenkisntown Wood 9^th and Millennium Woods 16^th have been named in Coillte’s Top 20 most visited recreational sites based on 2024 visitor numbers.

The data indicates a growing interest from the public in local outdoor recreation, with many visitors enjoying walks through recreational parks and woodlands where they can explore nature and biodiversity.

Both locations received significant upgrade works in recent years under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which was progressed by Kilkenny County Council in collaboration with Coillte.

Jenkinstown Wood welcomed just under 102,000 visitors in 2024 – up from 89,610 in 2023. The redevelopment at Jenkinstown Wood saw the rehabilitation of existing looped trails, the creation of a new fully accessible 1.2km route, upgraded signage, an access ramp connecting to the car park to the enhanced picnic area and the installation of age-friendly and wheelchair accessible seating.

The newly created trail has been named “The Last Rose of Summer Walk”, a tribute to one of Ireland’s most cherished poets, Thomas Moore who wrote his famous poem, of the same name, while staying in Jenkinstown back in 1805.

The 61,532 visitors to Millennium Woods in 2024 enjoyed the benefit of the enhancement works which included 2.6km’s of trail rehabilitation, the addition of a wheelchair accessible toilet as well as car park, entrance and signage improvements.   

Both sites are located a short distance from Kilkenny City, highlighting the demand for such facilities and reinforcing the case for investment in the development of existing and new trails.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Jenkinstown Wood Enhancement Scheme in June 2025, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary said:

“Facilities like these are vital to our communities. They promote both physical and mental wellbeing, support rural tourism, and bring people together.”