Coillte holiday complex to go on market

A holiday complex in Cavan owned and run by Coillte is likely to be put on the market shortly, the State forestry company has said. The self-catering complex is set within the 243-hectare (600- acre) Killykeen Forest Park, 12km from Cavan town.

It comprises 30 wooden chalets and 12 log cabins, a community room and conference centre.

On the shore of Lough Oughter, part of the Erne waterway system, the complex was developed as a tourism and recreation facility and a showcase for Irish timber in the 1980s by the Office of Public Works. It is a popular venue for fishermen.

Coillte took over responsibility for Killykeen in 1989 and, according to a spokesman, it had operated at a "reasonable level" until the foot-and-mouth outbreak, which restricted movement around the State.

"We closed all forest parks in 2002 during the foot-and-mouth scare and occupancy levels never really recovered after that," the spokesman said.

The complex had depended on repeat business and the temporary closure had broken the cycle. When it was built it was unique, he said, but the tourism market had moved on, customers wanted advanced facilities, and Killykeen had not kept pace with consumer demand.

Coillte has been in discussion with local interests and a definite decision has not yet been taken, but the spokesman said there was "a strong likelihood it will be put on the market", adding: "Our view is that this facility is an important part of local tourism infrastructure and we have a strong preference that it is sold as a going concern to someone who will invest and upgrade it."

If the sale went ahead, public access to the remainder of the forest would be safeguarded.