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With the sun finally poking its head through the clouds in recent weeks, people across the country are clambering to get outside en plein air and enjoy it. For those of us who want to enjoy the weather but need a little bit of shade too, a woodland walk with a canopy of trees is a great option (it also somewhat protects us from the rain, which is a much more common occurrence in our climate). Irish Country Living has detailed some beautiful forest walks for you to enjoy this summer.
Curraghchase, Co Limerick
With a wealth of history dating back to when the estate was owned by the de Vere family, Curraghchase Forest Park not only has some beautiful woodland walks, but also has little pockets of history dotted around the park. The old house – boarded up since the time of a devastating fire – is the first thing that catches your eye driving into the car park. While there is also a pet cemetery, the walks that vary in length are the real attraction to this park. Separately, these can range from over 1km to under 4km, but they can be amalgamated to lengthen your stroll.
Avondale, Co Wicklow
Avondale Forest Park is often referred to as the birthplace of Irish forestry, due to the range of tree species from around the world that were planted here when Avondale House was built in the late 1770s. It is here that many of the tree species now commonplace across Ireland were first planted. As well as it’s impressive forestry history, Avondale was also the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell. Like most forest parks, there are trails of varying length that show off what the woodland has to offer. Avondale’s railway walk also directly links it with Rathdrum. Significant development work is taking place in the forest park during 2019 and 2020, including construction of a new exhibition in the house and the opening up of a new viewpoint, but it still remains open every day.
Castlewellan, Co Down
Castlewellan Forest Park has something that sets it apart from the rest – a maze. One of the world’s largest permanent hedge mazes, the Peace Maze was planted in 2000 with community involvement and it represents a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Beside it is a newly built children’s play structure called Animal Wood, which is designed for children aged four to 11. The views from the Castlewellan trails take in both mountain and sea, and have 27km of space that are specifically for mountain biking, lined with rare trees along the way.
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