Niall Farrelly
Research Officer - ForestryResearch Interests
I am a Senior Forestry Research Officer. My research focuses on how genetics, forest management and the environmental factors influence the growth and productivity of plantation forests.
Research areas include tree breeding which aims to identify species and seed origins adapted to current and future climate conditions; the potential of genomic selection to assist tree breeding in Sitka spruce.
Other areas of research include evaluating thinning strategies which improve the economics and timber quality of softwood plantations.
Current Projects
- GENESIS Project – Genomic evaluation for the sustainable improvement of Sitka spruce
- Thinning in Sitka and Norway spruce crops - Thinning to improve profitability and timber quality in Sitka and Norway spruce crops
- Fit Forests Project - the response of tree species to climage change
Previous projects
- Provenance evaluation – Evaluation of Sitka spruce, Oak and Beech provenances currently used in Irish forestry
- ShortFor Project
- CLUSTER Project
- SUPPLYCHIP Project
- Forest Productivity and Management
- Potential of Minor Conifer Species
- ForecastModel Project
- WINDRISK Project
Education
- Ph.D., University College Dublin, "Site quality and the productivity of Sitka spruce in Ireland", 2011.
- H.Dip. in Computing. Griffith College Dublin, 1999.
- B.Agr.Sc. (Forestry), University College Dublin, 1995.
- Barth S., Byrne T., Farrelly N., 2023. What can we learn from Sitka spruce about climate adaptation? RTE Brainstorm 17 April 2023
- Hui X., Tobin B., Farrelly N. 2023. The rings of truth (PDF). TResearch, Spring 2023, Volume 18, Number 1
- Barth S., Byrne T., Farrelly N., Byrne S. 2023. Shaped by snow and ice (PDF). TResearch, Spring 2023, Volume 18, Number 1
- Farrelly N., Nemesio-Gorriz M., Short I., Tobin B. 2022. An outline of achievements in selected areas of forest research in Ireland 1960–2021 (PDF). ResearchGate
- Byrne T., Farrelly N., Kelleher C., Hodkinson T.R., Byrne S.L., Barth S. 2022. Genetic Diversity and Structure of a Diverse Population of Picea sitchensis Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (PDF). Forests
- Farrelly, N. The application of Genomics for Sitka spruce Improvement (PDF). Forestry & Energy.
- Farrelly, N. 2020. Genetic characterisation of Sitka spruce in Ireland (PDF). TResearch 15(1).
- Kranjz, L. Farrelly, N., and Harte, A. 2019. Relationships between wood properties of small clear specimens and structural-sized boards in three softwood species. Holzforschung June 2019.
- Kranjz, L. Farrelly, N., and Harte, A. 2019. Evaluating timber quality in larger-diameter standing trees: Rethinking the use of acoustic velocity. Holzforschung April 2019.
- Kranjz, L. Farrelly, N., and Harte, A. 2019. The effect of thinning on mechanical properties of Douglas fir, Norway spruce, and Sitka spruce. Annals of Forest Science 76.
- Kranjz, L. Farrelly, N., and Harte, A. 2019. The influence of crown and stem characteristics on timber quality in softwoods. Forest Ecology and Management 435:8-17.
- Farrelly, N. O’Connor, C., Niewenhuis, M. and Phillips, H. 2018. Investigating the impact of varying levels of inventory data detail on private sector harvest forecasting - Irish Forestry Vol 75.
- Farrelly, N. 2018. Good thinning practice shows increased income and enhances timber quality (PDF). Forestry and Energy Review, Spring – Summer 2018.
- Ni Dhubhain, A., and Farrelly, N. 2018. Understanding and Managing windthrow (PDF). COFORD Connects.
- Farrelly, N. 2017. Thinning for profit (PDF). TResearch. Winter 2017. No. 4
- Farrelly, N., Walsh, R. 2017. What Conifers are performing best. Results of research trials and case studies. Minor Conifers in Ireland - An appraisal of the silvicultural and marketing potential of coniferous alternatives to Sitka spruce. Enfield, Co. Meath, 31 May 2017.
- Walsh, R., Cameron, A., Wilson. S, McG., Farrelly, N. 2017. The potential of alternative conifers to replace larch species in Ireland, in response to the threat of Phytophthora ramorum - Irish Forestry Vol 74.
- Kranjz, L. Farrelly, N., and Harte, A. 2016. Mechanical characterization of green Sitka spruce logs. Civil Engineering Research in Ireland CERI16, Galway, Ireland.
- Phillips et al. 2016. All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast 2016 - 2035. COFORD, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin.
- Farrelly, N. and Gallagher, G. 2015. The development of a site classification for Irish forestry - Irish Forestry Vol 72.
- Farrelly, N. and Gallagher, G. 2015. The potential availability of land for afforestation in the Republic of Ireland - Irish Forestry Vol 72.
Additional details
Directions to his office: Athenry Animal & Grassland Research Centre.