This is a lovely forest park, a great amenity for Carlow town to have…read more There is a carpark, a lake, an open area with benches and picnic tables and trails. the usual things that make a park a forest park. There are also some toilets. The one thing that astonished me was the outdoor gym. Free. Outdoor. Gym. It's been there about two months now apparently and it has been a very popular addition to the forest park. National Lottery sponsored.

You can't expect to grow if you keep hanging around the same crowded spots or scrolling your phone…read moreall day. Donadea offers peaceful trails, fresh air, and a chance to clear the fog in your head. Walking those trails, you'll feel the stress melt away while surrounded by towering trees and calm waters that reset your energy and mindset

Lovely walk with amazing history to research. For kids, I can only imagine that their imaginations…read morego wild. 12th century castle ruins, old graveyard & church, lake, ancient stone walls--great place to explore. As an expat who survived 9/11, I was surprised by the 9/11 memorial on the grounds as well. Very thoughtful & moving tribute.

I heard of Altamont Gardens before but it took until now that I finally got to visit - if I'd live…read morecloser I would be a very regular visitor now! It is a huge park where you can spend hours if you like with lots of different flowers, trees, plants - most of them with name plate. I had my camera with me so took my time, but even without or with your kids running around it's well worth a visit (and any detour) I think. It has formal gardens (not ususally my taste, but these were still nice to look at), with a rather derelict old house, a huge informal park inclusive a smal temple, river walk and a sea full of water lilies. And there's also a walled garden, parts of it rather organised and other parts just full of flowers in all colours side by side. There's a lovely little cafe in the walled gardens - as I don't find much information about it I don't start an own business entry for that. I had a savoury scone (buttermilk and soda) with local cheese and beetrot chutney and a large cappuccino - for € 6.40. Apart from it being very tasty I loved the cafe for being in the middle of a garden with little bits and pieces selected to make it feel like home. There is also a hen family running around in the walled garden / cafe which makes it even nicer to sit there and relax. It belongs to OPW which means it has the added advantage of free entrance. And they have a nursery / shop so you can buy flowers and trees for your own garden.

This is one of my favourite places to go when I'm home. The gardens are huge and you can walk…read morearound for hours. Even though the car park always seems to be full the gardens always seem peaceful. They have a section where you can buy plants and a lovely little cafe run by the forge where you can grab some tea and cake. I have even here live music there occasionally which adds to the atmosphere. Bring waterproof shoes though as the grassy paths can be damp!

Big open park without much by way of features. Parks really are a mood thing. If you want a nice…read morewalk, stroll, or search for inner peace then, by all means, piss off up to Stephens Green or Merrion Square. But if you just want to kick a ball about then come here. It's big, open and mostly flat.

Very open. Playground not much the pond is a good place to go and see the ducks and the kids live…read moreto feed them. It is not really a day out but amazing for a picnic in summer with a great location everybody's a winner

We are visiting this area and I'm very pleased to find out how much it has to offer. We've been…read morestaying at Crown Plaza Hotel for 8 weeks with two small kids and this park pretty much saved my sanity lol I wish I knew that it has great jogging trail I would have brought my gear. The play ground is great and it's perfect place to wear out your kids. It has stuff for big kids and play set for toddlers, obstacle course and a big double sandbox and a zip line!. There are toilets on play ground they rarely have toilet paper or soap but at lest bathrooms are there. There is a skate park and areas to play ball. Also there is a dog park, sadly we have no pets but it looks nice a big from afar. And everything pretty well taken care of. I definitely recommend this park!

I've lived in Dublin for a year and did not know about this park until a couple weeks ago after we…read morebought a car and started to really explore the area. This park is absolutely amazing. The playground is out of this world. There is also a skate park and lots of walking paths. It is a wonderful area. If you're driving, there is ample parking in the parking lot and by bus, I think you can take bus 37 or 39 (towards Ongar) from Dublin. I believe there is a stop right by the park. Also, this park has a sandpit, so bring your shovel and bucket! You can see the huge castle slide from the road and your kids will love the zip line! It's a very cool park.

Came here with our school tour group- our guide was very knowledgeable and fun, and explained…read morethings in a way that our students in the group could understand. Beautiful grounds, and there is also a beautiful Japanese garden! Be sure to follow the map to read about what each section of the garden signifies.

Beautiful grounds. Loved the playground and fairy path. The experience was enjoyable for adults, my…read morefive year old was bored and just wanted to see the horses and play. The japanese gardens were beautiful!

Killiney Hill is an absolute must see if you're visiting the area. It's beautiful and flowing with…read morehistory. There's many different routes to get to the obelisk at the top, but you can't go wrong with any of them

One of my favorite spots in Ireland thus far! A total locals spot to go walking and see some…read morewonderful views. This place is incredibly dog friendly (off leash) so you will be greeted by dozens of furry pups running around. There is a slight uphill climb on the trail at one point but it is paved and not too bad overall. Once you get to the top there are wonderful 360 views of the city, and the water including a beautiful obelisk on the top of the hill. You can see Wales from a distance, the city of Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains. Highly recommend this spot, especially if you want to escape touristy Dublin.

I lived in Donabate for about 10 months, and one thing I really loved was Newbridge House and…read moreDemesne, or The Newbridge Estate as it might also be called. This is a historic site in Donabate, and if you're coming in from Dublin by train it's only a 10 minute walk from the station to one of the side gates. The Dublin Buss 33B (from Portrane to Sword) stops by the main gate here. And if you have a car there is lots of parking. There is over 400 acres of parkland and trails and I loved coming here and going for a walk. Of all the things I miss about living in Donabate this is at the top of the list. I'd see people walking and running on the trails here. There were often families, and some people would bring their dogs (must be on leash of course). The Newbridge House is a Georgian style home and it's one that you can visit. They have guided tours of the house where you'll learn of of the Cobbe family that built the house and lived here until the 1980's. Apparently there was a portrait of William Shakespeare discovered at the house, but when I was visiting it wasn't on display. Along with the house there is a working farm that is run like it would have been in the 1800's. A ticket to the farm and house is €10. The farm has several breeds of different farm animals, including some Irish specific breeds like Connemara Ponies and Kerry Cows. If you are here after the house and farm has closed for the day (but while the park is still open) walk the trail behind the house toward the farm and you'll be able to see some of the animals. If you have kids a visit to the farm only is €5.50. And there is a playground by the house for kids too There are also Irish Red Deer in a pen on the path close to the entrance on the east side of the property. Sometimes the deer will come up close to the fence, but often they stay back. There are ten does and a buck in the pen. Don't feed the deer and be careful because they are animals and not Disney cartoon characters who will be your friends. There's often goats in this pen too. Beside the Newbridge House is the Coach Cafe. It has coffees, teas, juices, minerals, and a variety of pastries and sandwiches to enjoy. The cafe is nice, but can get quite busy especially on weekends. I didn't have lunch here, but did enjoy a coffee and a muffin. Anyway I loved all of my visits to the Newbridge House. I think the only downside is that it isn't open 24 hours a day (hours vary season to season), and that I'm back in Canada and can't just walk here in 10 minutes like I used to. I know one day I'll come back to Donabate and this will best the first place I visit.

this is a great little gem of a place. it has lovely wide open spaces to sit, relax and picnic…read more it has a playground in which you can lose the children for about an hour and it also has a farm and coffee shop. the farm is rather cool, when i went in it had lots of poultry, pigs and piglets, goats, cows and an interesting little hatchery. i even seen the eggs moving around as if ready to hatch! pity i did'nt stay long enough because i'd have loved to see if them break out of their shells. there is lots of ye auld farm machinery to see, makes you see how far technology has moved on from the plough and thrashing machines. its a great place to go if you want a bit of peace and quiet from the city and it only takes about 25 minutes to get there from the city center on the M1.