Kilkenny woodland owner bestowed with a prestigious award
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) have announced the award winners of the RDS Foundation Awards - as part of the Finding Common Ground Festival
Kilkenny man and woodland owner Michael O’Neill has been awarded the Silvicultural Excellence & Innovation Award at the RDS Foundation Awards which took place at the RDS Concert Hall on April 16.
The award recognises excellence in the management of a forest (broadleaf, conifer, mixed or coppice) where timber production is the main management objective.
Michael was acknowledged for combining sustainable timber production with a strong commitment to nature — from actively managing a thriving Sitka spruce crop through careful thinning and harvesting to investing time and equipment needed to minimise soil and crop damage.
His Kilkenny woodland delivers benefits for biodiversity, carbon capture and water quality, reflecting genuine passion, steady dedication and a long-term vision for responsible forestry.
The RDS Agriculture & Forestry Awards and the RDS Circular Economy Awards recognise individuals, organisations, and businesses driving economic, environmental, and social progress in Ireland.
Sarah Keating, Sustainability & Innovation Programme Manager at the RDS, said that the finalists 'are doing the work on the ground – showing us that the transition to a sustainable future is not just a theory, it’s a practical reality that strengthens our local communities and economies'.