ABSTRACT
Forestry is becoming increasingly concentrated in the west of Ireland where there is a high proportion of agriculturally marginal land. The shift to private farm-based forestry has numerous implications for the whole forest industry in Ireland as well as for agriculture, tourism and other economic activities. The evaluation is based mainly on a detailed study of private forestry in one locality, namely, the eastern half of Clare, a county located along the western seaboard of Ireland. In general, forestry in Ireland is a new experience to most of its private practitioners and, as such, it needs to be well informed if it is to attain its full potential. Considering the uniqueness of the farm forestry programme in Ireland, the best way to obtain and disseminate the requisite know-how and expertise is through the establishment of dedicated research and learning facilities. Farmers in Ireland are engaged mostly in cattle, sheep or dairy enterprises.
