If you go down to the woods today...
ACCORDING TO Coillte, every year two out of every five Irish families visit a forest and for those who haven’t, this is a good time to make a resolution that 2011 is going to be the year to visit one of our amazing forests – or even to wrap up and head out today.
Some families, especially those with small children, are put off by the idea of visiting a forest fearing that the terrain won’t be buggy-friendly but many managed forests have several way-marked walks with one or more being suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. Look for short looped walks and bring a picnic.
Dotted around most counties, you shouldn’t have to travel far to visit a forest, look at coillteoutdoors.ie for details of one nearest you, such as Avondale Forest Park in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, which was bought for the State in 1904 and regarded as the first of our State forests.
There are six way-marked walks and trails, including the river walk, cairn walk, exotic tree trail and the pine tree trail.
Dun a Rí Forest Park, near Kingscourt, Co Cavan has four marked walking trails of approximately 1.5km to 2km in length, all with different points of interest and family-friendly, including the Wishing Well, Cromwell’s Bridge, Cabra Cottage, the Flax Mill, Lady’s Lake and an old ice house. All features are signposted throughout the park.
* coillteoutdoors.ie