ESB Sponsor 31st Annual Tree Week, 1st – 8th March 2015 

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD was in Dublin today (Tuesday 17th February 2015) to show his ‘tree love’ at the launch of ESB Tree Week which takes place from 1st – 8th March.  During the week, hundreds of events will take place around the country to raise awareness of and promote the planting and care of trees.  ESB Tree Week is an annual event organised by the Tree Council of Ireland, supported by Coillte.

At the announcement of ESB Tree Week, Minister Coveney said, “Irish forestry plays an important role in our economy as a natural resource as well as providing important environmental and recreational benefits. ESB Tree Week provides an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of the value of trees to Ireland. There are a number of organisations that work year round to support the contribution of trees to both the economy and the environment and it is important to acknowledge the ongoing work of the Tree Council of Ireland and its member organisations, Coillte and the sponsors of ESB Tree Week for their ongoing support.” 

Speaking at the launch, Jerry O’Sullivan, Deputy Chief Executive of ESB said, “ESB are delighted to be sponsoring Tree Week for the first time this year. We are committed to a sustainable future for Ireland and fully support those who promote and protect trees within our communities. During ESB Tree Week, we will be encouraging people to show their love for trees, either by planting them, learning about them or simply getting outside and enjoying them.  We hope that people will get involved in events that are taking place in their local area during the week and show their support.”

Kevin Hutchinson, President of the Tree Council of Ireland shared some detail on the types of events that will take place during ESB Tree Week, “Each year, communities around Ireland get together to celebrate trees in a multitude of ways. With musical events, guided walks, poetry sessions, information evenings, tree planting events and more, there is an event to suit everyone and we would encourage people of all ages to get involved and take part in an event locally during ESB Tree Week.”

Included in the hundreds of events taking place during ESB Tree Week will be a commencement event in Castletown House & Parklands in Co. Kildare on Sunday 1st March at 1pm, the planting of the official Presidential tree by President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin on Tuesday 3rd March, a wine reception and classical music concert in the Botanic Garden on Wed 4th March, as well as a series of hosted tree walks, tree themed music, poetry and storytelling events.  A number of tree planting events will take place at ESB locations during the week, including the Blessington Greenway at Burgage (1^st March), the Coachford Greenway, Inniscarra, Co. Cork (8^th March) and at Carnsore Windfarm, Co. Wexford (4^th March). A full list of ESB Tree Week events is available on www.treecouncil.ie

ESB Tree Week is a weeklong celebration of trees (1st – 8th March, 2015) which aims to raise awareness of and promote the planting and care of trees while also encouraging individuals, families, communities, schools and businesses to actively organise and engage in tree initiatives at local level.

#ESBTreeWeek

ENDS