Lough Key Forest Park facts for kids
Lough Key Forest Park is a huge park in County Roscommon, Republic of Ireland. It covers 800 hectares and sits on the southern shore of Lough Key. You can find it about 40 km south-east of Sligo Town and 3 km east of Boyle. This beautiful park used to be part of a large private estate called Rockingham, which belonged to the King family. Today, it's open for everyone to enjoy!
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Discover Lough Key Forest Park
Lough Key Forest Park is a popular spot for day trips and a major tourist attraction in County Roscommon. It offers a mix of history, nature, and fun activities for all ages.
History of the Park
For many years, the land that is now Lough Key Forest Park was part of the private Rockingham Estate.
From Private Estate to Public Park
In 1959, the Irish government bought the remaining parts of the estate. An agency called the Irish Land Commission took control of the land. A few years later, the part that became Lough Key Forest Park was given to the Forestry Commission. This group looked after forests. In 1988, the Forestry Commission became Coillte, which is a state-owned company in Ireland. Coillte has owned and managed Lough Key Forest Park ever since.
The Story of Rockingham House
The original Rockingham House was a grand building designed by John Nash. Sadly, it burned down in 1957 because of an electrical problem. The ruins of the house were removed in 1971. In its place, the Moylurg Viewing Tower was built in 1973. You can still find the old servant's tunnels today, with one entrance close to the tower.
Fun Things to Do
Lough Key Forest Park has been open to visitors since 1972. It has a visitor centre with a restaurant, and many nature trails and walks.
Explore the Park's Attractions
The park has many interesting attractions, some are very old and some are newer. These include:
- The Ice House
- The Gazebo
- A Ruined Church
- The Stables
- Old Tunnels
- The Bog Gardens
- The Wishing Chair
- The Fairy Bridge
- Drummans Bridge
- A deer paddock
There are also short canals with walkways along them, perfect for a stroll.
Drummans Island and Boating
Drummans Island used to be a peninsula. It became an island when a short canal was dug. Drummans Bridge connects it back to the main park. If you love boats, you'll be happy to know that Lough Key is part of the Shannon Navigation system. The park has places for pleasure boats to dock. It's a favourite spot for boaters on the Boyle River and the wider Shannon system. The park also has places for camping and caravans.
Modern Upgrades and New Adventures
Between 2006 and 2007, the park got a big makeover. The old shop and restaurant were replaced with a new visitor centre. A fun adventure house called Boda Borg was built, along with an outdoor playground for kids. The Moylurg Tower, a strong concrete viewing tower from the 1970s, was also updated and now has a lift. The old tunnels were cleaned up and lit, making them safe to explore.
In the years after this big update, even more attractions have been added:
- Zipit: Opened in 2011, this is a series of high-wire courses that let you swing through the treetops.
- Woodland Segway: Started in 2014, this offers guided tours of the woods on Segways.
- Electric Bike Trails: Also from 2014, you can rent electric or regular bicycles to explore the park's trails.
Nature and Wildlife
The forested parts of Lough Key Forest Park have a mix of different trees. You'll find non-native evergreen trees and native deciduous trees. Look out for some very large and impressive cedar trees growing in the park.
