EARLIER this month we reported on the planting of 2,500 new trees at Fairyhouse. Now Limerick Racecourse has followed suit by planting the same number of trees and shrubs on a quarter-acre site to the left of the grandstand, past the winning post.

It’s all part of the 100 Million Trees Project, a new national initiative developed by brothers Richard and David Mulcahy, which aims to see the planting of 100 million native Irish trees across the island of Ireland throughout the next decade, as a community-driven initiative to reverse the immense environmental damage caused by the reduction of forests worldwide and the loss of huge areas of biodiversity.

Limerick manager Tom Rudd said: “Limerick Racecourse’s mission to be the most sustainable racecourse in Ireland and planting native trees on the land is just one of many positive steps we are taking to reach our ultimate goal.

“The mini-forest is dedicated to Fergus O’Toole, a former director and the late husband of Vicki O’Toole, a current director of the track. This is a project she is immensely passionate about.

Vicki added: “There is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm building by friends of the racecourse to transform a site visible from the entrance to the racecourse and the Hugh McMahon Stand. The mini-forest will be aptly dedicated to Fergus.”