Spruce-up needed at Laois woodland picnic area
The picnic area at Oughaval Wood near Stradbally. File image
A POPULAR picnic area in beautiful Laois woodlands could be set for a spruce-up, following an appeal by a local councillor.
Old timber picnic tables and furniture at Oughaval Wood near Stradbally have become very worn and need to be replaced, according to Cllr Vivienne Phelan.
She also highlighted a need for wheelchair-accessible spaces at the peaceful but busy Coillte-run site which includes a car park, a large grassed picnic area and three looped walking trails.
At a meeting in county hall, Cllr Phelan asked Laois Co Council to write to Coillte requesting new picnic furniture at the site, including the provision of wheelchair-accessible spaces.
“It is well used and a lot of people go there for a walk or a picnic on a fine day but the furniture needs to be freshened up. It would be nice to have the place looking well,” she told the October meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington municipal district.
The proposal was supported by fellow Stradbally councillor Paschal McEvoy.
Senior engineer Tom Drennan confirmed that the council would send a letter to Coillte requesting the upgrades.
Only 2km from Stradbally, idyllic Oughaval Wood covers more than 150 hectares and attracts visitors from all over the county and beyond. The family-friendly site forms part of the Natural Heritage Area (NHA) of Stradbally Hill and was once part of the Cosby Estate.
Apart from walking and hiking trails, interesting attractions include a Mass Rock and a folly known as Cobbler’s Castle, which was constructed during the famine on the site of a pre-Christian castle.
