Ardee Railway Lands to feature new memorial woodland area
By ArdeePost Reporter
Council invites public input on dedicated remembrance space in Ardee
Louth County Council has announced plans to create a dedicated memorial woodland area within the Railway Lands in Ardee, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the site’s amenity and biodiversity value under the Project Ardee 2040 framework.
The council is now inviting members of the public who have memorial trees planted at the Railway Lands to get in touch, as part of the next phase in managing and preserving this important local green space.
The Ardee Railway Lands, acquired by Louth County Council in 2022, were secured to ensure the area remains protected for community use and environmental improvement. Before that, the site had long served as a public open space, maintained by Ardee Tidy Towns and supported by a Community Employment (CE) scheme.
Over the years, a memorial tree initiative was started by a local resident, allowing members of the community to plant trees with personalised plaques in memory of loved ones.
Preserving Community Legacy and Biodiversity in Ardee
In recognition of the emotional and cultural importance of these memorial trees, the council says it intends to create a dedicated contemplative woodland within the Railway Lands to provide a peaceful, respectful space for remembrance.
“We acknowledge the work, care, and sentiment behind the existing memorial trees, and we are aware of how significant they are to families across the Ardee community,” the council said in a statement.
Currently, there are around 364 memorial trees planted on the site, most of which are ornamental flowering cherry trees (Prunus), alongside maples (Acer), whitebeams (Sorbus aria), and small-leaved limes (Tilia).
To establish the new memorial woodland, the council has identified a section of the Railway Lands where approximately 122 existing trees will be relocated during the dormant season—a time when deciduous trees are not actively growing and can be safely moved. The remaining trees will stay in place and continue to be monitored as part of a long-term care plan.
The proposed new woodland will also see the introduction of additional native Irish species, including Rowan, Birch, Alder, Hazel, and Holly, to strengthen the site’s ecological diversity.
Balancing Remembrance and Recreation
The council says the creation of a dedicated memorial area will help to protect the long-term health of the existing trees, avoid root damage to nearby pathways, and ensure clear sightlines and safe access throughout the park.
“This approach will ensure that the Railway Lands can continue to serve as both a place of reflection and an active recreational space for the community,” the statement continued.
By consolidating the memorial trees into a designated woodland area, Louth County Council aims to strike a balance between respectful commemoration and the broader community use of the Railway Lands — a key part of Ardee’s green infrastructure under the 2040 vision for the town.
Public Consultation and Engagement
Louth County Council is now appealing to anyone who has planted or dedicated a tree in memory of a loved one to make contact with the Parks Department via email at parks@louthcoco.ie.
Further details, including maps, plans, and background information, are available on the Louth County Council Consultation Portal at:
👉 https://consult.louthcoco.ie/en/browse
The council says it is committed to working closely with families and community members throughout the process to ensure that the relocation and redesign of the memorial trees is carried out with sensitivity and transparency.
Community Response
The initiative has been welcomed as a positive step in preserving both memory and nature within Ardee’s expanding urban green spaces.
Local representatives have praised the council for engaging directly with families and recognising the sentimental value of the trees.
The development aligns closely with Project Ardee 2040, which aims to revitalise the town through improved public spaces, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.
As plans progress, the dedicated memorial woodland is expected to become a tranquil focal point within the Railway Lands — a space where the people of Ardee can remember loved ones amid the natural beauty of their town.
Would you like me to now create a shorter social media version of this (for Facebook or Instagram), with a few emojis and hashtags like #Ardee #RailwayLands #MemorialWoodland #LouthNews?