Mourne Park, near Kilkeel in Co Down, is home to some of the rarest and most ancient woodland in Ireland. It is now open to the public for the first time in 500 years. The area includes 73 hectares of incredibly rare ancient woodland – defined as having existed continuously since 1600 [...]
Guest writer and forest bathing guide Cathelijne de Wit outlines the benefits of forest bathing: Everyone who enjoys the great outdoors knows how good it feels to spend time in nature. The fresh air, being surrounded by trees, and the sound of birdsong all have a calming effect on us. Connecting with [...]
Courtown Woods is a must-visit when you are visiting this seaside village in north Wexford. It dates back to pre-Famine times, and has a lovely mix of trails. Even better, there's a whiff of garlic in late-Spring, followed by beautiful bluebells in May. There are four short trails here, whereby you can [...]
Offaly is literally a hidden gem, with its wide-open spaces and stunning nature. Now part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, it is a great spot to switch gears and really relax and enjoy yourself. Lough Boora Discovery Park Lough Boora Discovery Park is ideal for families – and children love the Fairy Trail. [...]
Kilmacurragh Gardens in Co Wicklow are a treat to walk around. If you can, April is a great time to visit, with Rhododendron Week usually the first week of the month. This year, 2022, Rhododendron Week at Kilmacurragh Gardens is from April 2-10. Did you know that Kilmacurragh Gardens is part of [...]
Mullaghmeen Forest is worth a visit – well worth a detour off the Dublin-Sligo road into Co. Westmeath. This is one hidden gem you must add to your bucket list! Mullaghmeen Forest is located between Castlepollard and Oldcastle and is the largest planted beech forest in Ireland. Best of all, this is [...]
Birr Castle Demesne is a walker’s paradise. There’s 120 acres of parklands, 10km of scenic walks, rivers, a waterfall, and a lake. It is also home to one of Europe’s finest plant collections, the world’s tallest box hedge, the Great Telescope, and Ireland’s tallest treehouse! If you have any interest in photography, [...]
Lismore in Co Waterford is a wonderful step back in time. A heritage town, you’ll find many of the shop fronts just as they were for decades. Overlooking the River Blackwater and backgrounded by the Knockmealdown Mountains, it’s a delight to wander around. It's also home to Lismore Castle ... There has [...]
Sligo enjoys stunning landscape – and an unbeatable link with the enduring poetry of William Butler Yeats. Now, you can walk, drive or cycle around the inspirational landscapes that influences Yeats’ work. That’s all thanks to a new app – Yeats Unwrapped - launched by Yeats Society Sligo. Lake Isle of Innisfree [...]
The Slieve Bloom mountains were a discovery. Linking the counties of Laois and Offaly, the Slieve Blooms are unspoilt, uncrowded, and seriously scenic! Seemingly, the Slieve Blooms – and the Massif Central in France – are the oldest mountains in Europe. According to SlieveBloom.ie, they were once the highest in Europe at [...]
