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Ireland is a beautiful country and to help you enjoy it we are compiling a list of lovely places to visit. Here a few of our suggestions, but we would love your ideas, particularly those places suitable for families.
Please confirm opening times etc before traveling as they are subject to change!.
Farren Forest Park, Farren (close to Ballincollig)
Beautiful woods, situated on the River Lee. Small pebble beach area. Most paths suitable for buggies. Enclosed area for Deer and Ducks. Small wooden playground. Picnic tables. Car park charge during the summer.
Fota Arboretum & Gardens, Fota Island (close to Cobh). Tel: 021 481 2678
27 acres of stunning gardens and arbortoreum. Historic house. Coffee Shop.
The entrance to the Gardens is free, but there is an entrance fee to the House. Car parking fee.
Fota Wildlife Park, Little Island (close to Cobh). Tel: 021 4812678
See wildlife from all around the world. Lots of space, playgrounds and a café. Admission fee & car park charge.
Millstreet Country Park, Millstreet. Tel: 029 70810
Lots of space to run around, with walks, lakes, huts and open bus trips. Restaurant and shop. Open from April to October. Admission charge.
Donkey Sanctuary, Liscarrol (near Mallow) 022 48398
Lots of donkeys waiting to meet you! Paths around the sanctuary are suitable for buggies. Picnic tables. No admission charge.
Doneraile Wildlife Park, Doneraile (11km from Mallow). 022 24244
166 hectares of beatiful parkland with several deer herds. Historic house. Small entrance fee.
Gearagh Nature Reserve, Macroom.
Situated on the River Lee this reserve is famous for its rare plants and large breeds of wild fowl. Entrance fee.
Lisselan Estate, Ballinascarthy, Clonakilty. 023 33249
Home of Henry Ford. Farm and gardens walks with lots of space to run around.
Roches Point, East Cork
Lovely scenic sea point
Gougane Barra, Ballingeary (between Macroom and Kenmare)
Beautiful area with forest walks, lake with tiny church on the island. Café
Glenveagh National Park, near Letterkenny
Mountains, moorlands, lakes and woods contribute to the feel of wilderness in this park which boasts the largest herd of red deer in Ireland. The woods are also home to badgers, foxes and stoats. Guided nature walks in summer. Visitor centre.
Ards Forest Park, 5km north of Creeslough on the shores of Sheephaven Bay.
You can enjoy many forest walks here and also a lovely children's play area. There are numerous viewing points on the signposted walks with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The park includes a sandy beach, a rocky shoreline and a diversity of habitats.
Dún Lúiche 40km west of Letterkenny on the road to Bunbeg Tel: 074 9531699
Dún Lúiche is a small rural community in the Donegal Gaeltacht which lies in the unique scenery at the foot of Mount Errigal, the highest mountain in Donegal. Attractions include: Craft Shop, Adventure play area, Historic homestead guided visit, Lakeside walks, Boat cruise, Farmyard Animals to feed, Pony & Trap. Open March 17 to early November and other times by arrangement.
Phoenix Park, Dublin 7. Tel: 01-766 0095
The largest urban enclosed park in Europe with ornamental gardens, nature trails and broad expanses of grassland where deer roam. Visitor centre with restaurant. Ashtown Castle. Free admission to the park, charges apply for attractions.
Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
This 214 acre park, 10km from Dublin city centre has something for everyone. Designed in the English Landscape style, Marlay Park has walks that lead through the demesne's mature woodland and lake areas. There are abundant framed views of waterfalls, bridges and weirs. The park is famous for its Craft Courtyard and 18th Century Marlay House. Car parking available
Killiney Hill Park, Killiney Hill Road
This 200 acre Victorian Park high above sea level has breathtaking views from the summit across Killiney and Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. Walk through the woods and pathways with the coast always in view, ideal for picnics. Car parking available.
Ardgillan Demesne Regional Park, between Skerries and Balbriggan
This park covers an area of 200 acres, a lovely mixture of wild woodland walks, sheltered picnic areas, rolling lawns and meadows. There are dramatic panoramic views towards the Mourne mountains and the north Dublin coastline. The park is dominated by Ardgillan Castle which includes a coffee shop and frequent exhibitions. Also features a walled garden, rose garden and a restored Victorian conservatory.
Killarney National Park, Muckross. Tel: 064 35960
A fantastic National Park known for beautiful lake and mountain scenery. Many paths suitable for buggies. Historic house, Traditions farms. Vistor centre, restaurant, shop. Free admission to the park but admission charges apply for the house, farm etc.
Caragh Lake
Caragh lake is a renowned fishing lake, just off the Ring of Kerry on the lveragh Peninsula. Sir William Petty had an iron mine and smelting works in this area which was responsible for the felling of virtually all the broadleaved trees. Facilities include Car park, scenic views, picnic site and forest walks (3km of trails). Fishing on the river is preserved but on the lake it is free.
Glenbeigh Wood
Situated on the hill dominating the village of Glenbeigh, this site is part of the Kerry Way. 1 km of old railway line once in operation between Tralee and Caherciveen is included in the forest walk. There is salmon and trout fishing on the River Behy, 1.5 km from Rossbeigh beach. The Rossbeigh sand dunes lie nearby.
Avondale House and Forest Park, Rathdrum Tel: 0404-46111
Avondale House and Forest Park which is owned and managed by Coillte is open to the public. The house which was the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell is now a museum and also has a coffee shop and training and conference facilities. The park has many signposted forest walks, a playground and two orienteering courses.
Devils Glen about 4 km west of Ashford
This well-known beauty spot is a deep chasm, the craggy sides of which are covered with trees and shrubs. On entering the glen the river falls nearly 100ft/30m into the Devil's Punchbowl. There are fine views of the waterfall from paths constructed in the glen. Walks of about 1Okm are available here, including the sculpture in woodland trail.
Carrickbyrne Hill about 14.5km east of New Ross on the N25 to Wexford
Forest walks with viewing points. This is now a Slí an Slaínte walk. Here you will find about 5km of forest walks
The John F Kennedy Arboretum 12 km South of New Ross Tel: 051 388171
Dedicated to the memory of John F Kennedy, the Arboretum is a plant collection of international standing. It covers 252 hectares and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world. There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent. A road provides access to the summit from which there are panoramic views. Facilities include visitor centre, picnic area, play area and self guiding trails. Admission charges apply.
Colligan Wood about 8km north of Dungarvan on the road to Clonmel
This is a forest habitat bisected by the river Colligan. It includes a car park, forest and riverside walks, picnic tables and benches. There are three forest walks available at Colligan Wood. The River walk which is about 1.5km long, the circle walk north which is about 3km long and the circle walk south which is about 4.5km long.
Curragh Chase Forest Park
This amenity incorporates forest walks, nature trails, gardens and the ruins of Curragh Chase House, the 18th century home of poet Aubrey deVere. There are a number of trails in the park: a trail of approximately 3km takes you around the lake and gives you the opportunity of visiting the deVere monument overlooking the lake. There is also a garden walk incorporating some specimen trees and a children's playground along the way.
Caherlough on the banks of Lough Derg
Adjoining Lough Derg on the River Shannon, there are 2km and 3 km lakeshore walks through an old broadleaf belt surrounding the conifer and broadleaf plantation. Amenities include Car park, picnic tables, water skiing, fishing, cruises on the River Shannon
Bansha Wood
This is a very quiet and peaceful area. Amenities include picnic site, viewing points and forest walks – varying in length from 2.5km to 3.5km - a total of 8.5 km. There is a small pond at the car park.
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