Since 1982, Green Belt has partnered with landowners, farmers, forest owners, and investors throughout Ireland. We offer forestry services based on integrity, quality, and lasting relationships.
Our mission is to help you make the best forestry decisions for your land or investment. From the first conversation to the final harvest and reforestation, we offer clear advice and practical support every step of the way.
We believe good forestry begins with trust. Each site is unique, and every client has their own goals. Our foresters take time to explain your options clearly before you make any decisions. You own the land and the timber. We bring the expertise, manage the work, and help you get lasting value from your forest.
With over 600 million trees planted, Green Belt is proud to help grow a stronger forestry sector in Ireland. We support rural jobs, produce renewable timber, and help forests provide lasting economic, environmental, and community value.
Our timeline
Forty years, one furrow at a time
1982
Mossie Ryan and Tim O'Brien sit together and create Green Belt
1989
The first afforestation grant is introduced as the Western Package
1992
Premiums are paid for the first time for those planting
1995
A bumper year for planting — Green Belt establishes 7,000 hectares of a 16k ha national programme
2005
Planting numbers are just over 10,000 hectares
2012
Green Belt grows its team of foresters
2014
A revised forestry program is introduced with more focus on environmental impacts
2016
Green Belt has assisted in the placement of more than €200 million into private forestry
2023
A new forestry program is launched
2023
Green Belt co-founded the Social, Economic, Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland
2025
Storm Éowyn devastates more than 26,050 hectares of forestry across Ireland. This includes approx 14,500 hectares in the Coillte estate and 11,550 hectares of private forest areas.
2025
Minister Hayden appoints Michael Healy Rae to look after forestry
2026
Niall Collins has replaced Michael Healy Rae as the Forestry Minister.
Your local forester
The people who walk your land
We work with clients in every county in Ireland and will connect you with the right member of our team to fit your needs.
Leadership
Mossie Ryan
Founder
Mossie co-founded Green Belt with his business partner, the late Tim O'Brien. As a pair, they had a vision, passion, and drive that led to the development of the private forestry estate in Ireland as we see it now. Mossie is creative, focused, driven, and entrepreneurial, and continues to lend his expertise to the team.
Hugo McCormick
Group CEO
Hugo has worked with Green Belt since graduating from UCD with First Class honours, more than 30 years ago. A practical and skilled forester, Hugo is the group's CEO, coordinating operations and performance across the team.
Maurice Ryan
Director, Business Development
Maurice is passionate about forestry as a solution for climate change. All aspects of forestry can have a positive carbon capture and storage story - and to support this, the circular bioeconomy has a pivotal role to play to add further ESG and economic value to Ireland's forests.
Bernie Watters
Office Manager
Bernie Watters joined Green Belt in 2016, bringing extensive experience from the finance and insurance sectors, particularly in Health & Safety and Commercial Insurance Industry.
As Office Manager, Bernie oversees the company’s insurance portfolio and Health & Safety requirements across our forestry operations.
She plays an important role in supporting the team and ensuring business objectives are achieved.
Bernie’s positive outlook and commitment to her colleagues make her a valued member of the Green Belt team.
Northern Region
George Beirne
Forester
George has enjoyed a full career in forestry and brings his experience, knowledge and storytelling talents to the team.
Gerard Dunne
Forester
Gerard is based in the North East and is a dedicated and lifelong forester. He develops long-term, valued relationships with all his clients and works to deliver positive results.
Paddy Gallagher
Forester
Paddy has been a dedicated forester with Green Belt for over 30 years and is one of the company’s longest-serving members of staff. As one of Green Belt’s early appointments, Paddy has gained extensive experience across all aspects of forestry throughout his career.
Drawing on his wealth of knowledge and expertise, Paddy focuses on maximising timber yields and returns for forest owners. He manages harvesting operations across the northern regions, ensuring each project is carefully planned and efficiently delivered.
Joe Tansey
Forester
Joe has been a dedicated forester with Green Belt for over 30 years, making him one of the company’s longest-serving foresters. He brings a wealth of experience, expertise and practical knowledge to the team, particularly in the development maintenance and establishment of plantations.
Throughout his career, Joe has successfully managed and developed forests across Roscommon and Leitrim. His extensive experience and hands-on approach make him a trusted and valued member of the Green Belt team, with a strong focus on establishing healthy, productive and sustainable plantations.
Ieva Balkute
Forester
Ieva Balkute is a recent addition to the Green Belt team, bringing a strong academic background and a keen interest in forestry and working outdoors.
A graduate of Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Ieva also holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree (Level 8) from Maynooth University.
Having travelled internationally and volunteered on a variety of projects, she brings enthusiasm, adaptability and excellent attention to detail.
Ieva is an ambitious forester focused on restoring windblown forests and supporting the management of harvesting operations across the country.
SOUTHERN Region
Western Region
Oscar Ó Marcaigh
Forester
Oscar is an ambitious forester with a passion for the outdoors. He takes a keen interest in Nature and improving biodiversity across his sites. He is a recent graduate of Ballyhaise Agricultural College, and he is keen to expand on these experiences by considering silvicultural considerations for planting sites in the southeast for the Green Belt.
Aaron Browne
Forester
Aaron is an accomplished forester with experience working across Ireland. He holds a BAgrSc (Forestry) degree from University College Dublin (UCD) and comes from a strong farming background in the Midlands, with experience in both dairy and beef farming on his family farm.
A committed and personable professional, Aaron brings a practical understanding of land management and forestry to his role. Well-travelled and with a strong record of sporting achievements, he brings enthusiasm, dedication and a positive approach to the Green Belt team.
Mike Moroney
Forester
Mike is from County Clare and has been a valued member of the team for more than 12 years now. He is skilled at land acquisitions, forestry management and horticultural and landscaping services. Mike is a diligent and hard-working character who will ensure the work is completed to exacting standards.
David Sweeney
Forester
David is a dedicated and enthusiastic young forester with a strong work ethic and a practical understanding of farming and land management. A recent graduate of Ballyhaise Agricultural College, David comes from a farming background and understands the importance of land to farmers and the valuable role forestry can play within a farming enterprise.
With a practical and approachable manner, David works with landowners on woodland planting, Ash reconstitution and timber harvesting, helping clients make informed decisions and successfully progress their forestry projects.
ADMINISTRATORS
Sabrina Clarke
Programme Manager
Sabrina Clarke has been a valued member of the Green Belt team for over 27 years, bringing almost three decades of extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in forestry operations. As our Programme Manager, Sabrina co-ordinates forestry programmes covering afforestation, maintenance, harvesting and reforestation, ensuring clients’ projects progress efficiently from newly planted sites through to clearfelling.
Sabrina takes a hands-on approach, ensuring each forest gets off to the best possible start, from the initial assessment and establishment through to the successful completion of the four-year management contract. Her wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication make Sabrina an invaluable and highly respected member of the Green Belt team.
Mairead Millar
Administrator
Mairead is an experienced Administrator with Green Belt, with over 21 years of experience in the forestry sector.
She co-ordinates Road Grant and Felling Licence applications nationwide, liaising with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Mairead also works closely with forest owners, harvesting contractors and sawmills to ensure timber sales and payments are managed efficiently.
Her extensive knowledge, dedication and experience make her a valued member of the Green Belt team.
Fiona O’Neill
Administrator
Fiona is a dedicated member of the Green Belt team, with over 20 years of experience in the forestry sector.
As our Afforestation Administrator, Fiona manages the initial grant application process and ensures applications are processed efficiently with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
She provides essential technical and administrative support to our foresters across all regions of the country.
Fiona also works closely with clients, guiding them through the application process and answering any queries they may have.
Her experience, knowledge and attention to detail make her an invaluable member of the Green Belt team.
Request a Green Belt brochure
Want to learn more about us and your forestry options? Request a Green Belt brochure, and we will send you information on our services and how our foresters can help you.