My return to Knocksink Wood really surprised me, it's not the same place I remember…read more To find it, as you drive down into Enniskerry via the Monastery Road, you will see the wooden sign by the entrance. If on a Dublin bus, I would say its the second stop after you pass the stop at the closed down Texaco garage. About a mile in off the road is a car park and an education centre. This was all new to me and both great additions to the woods. We didn't go into the centre, so cannot comment on that. I should have though and I will next time I am back. The trails that are marked out are very even and safe, for anyone who prefers a safe stroll. There appears to have been some work done to make these paths quite safe, especially a long parts of the river bank. For the more adventurous there are some paths that deviate from the main foot paths, but prepare to get a bit muddy. The Glencullen river runs through the woods and this is really the highlight of the woods. The view and sound of the river is a tonic. Of all the dogs being brought for a walk here, there was many of them enjoying a dip in the river. In fact the whole woods is perfect for dog walking. They all seemed to be really enjoying their walkies. It was a Sunday afternoon in March and by the time we were leaving, at about 15:30, the car park was getting very busy. I look forward to going back for another walk in the woods.

A very nice woodland walk - quite short and easy without and major hills. The Glencullen river…read moreruns along side with a couple of little waterfalls and bridges. Very well signposted and with a big car park

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.

A bright sunny and hot Sunday afternoon was in the offering, so, family plus dog was packed up and…read morewith the intention of picking up picnic goods on the way, we left for Marley park. Now, being nearly 40 and increasingly removed from popular culture I miss the odd fact, like this weekend Marley Park was playing host to 30,000 music fans, which makes things like a picnic on the main stage a bit of a challenge. "What's that?" my wife asked as I drove on, wondering where the hell to go and 'I wonder if the people in that house would mind if we just set up camp on their front lawn?' It would probably be fine (picture worried looking people peeping out the sitting room curtains as the family Q picnic on their lawn)... till we start nipping behind the shrubbery for a pee... "What?" I reply and then see the sign for the Padraig Pearse Museum & St Enda's Park... I had never heard of it but having nowhere better in mind we decide to give it a bash. It's days like this where I should have done the lotto - we struck lucky with a spectacular park and grounds, full Brambles café (for those without picnic) and the weather to match. There is also an old castle ruin (a folly I'm pretty sure) which kept junior amused for ages. Well worth a visit, we didn't go into the museum, will save that for a more inclement day.

Really gorgeous well kept park. I mainly go to Marlay Park with my toddler because the playground…read moreis so good but decided to stop here for a change earlier this week. We had a nice little adventure. Would love to stop into the Pearse Museum but my two year old's attention span and noise levels wouldn't allow for a museum visit at the moment, another day perhaps! Not sure it's the most dog-friendly of places, spotted a very strict sign about dogs!! I could be wrong though. Regardless it's very peaceful and lovely spot for a picnic.

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.

Djouce wood is an extensive area of forest managed by Coillte and bordered to the south west by…read moreDjouce mountain close to Dublin in the Wicklow mountains. The wood is a mix of forest roads, trails and paths laid out and useable by walkers and mountain bikers alike. The area was once part of the Powerscourt Estate. The trails in the forest offer excellent views over the River Dargle valley to the Powersourt Waterfall which is the highest waterfall in Ireland and to Djouce Mountain (725m). The area has many other great walking trails including accessing the mountain area of Djouce, War Hill, White Hill and Maulin. It also gives access to the Wicklow way heading north through Crone and Lackan or south to Ballinastoe. There are two specific trails in Djouce wood, the red (Deerpark) and the blue trail. The red trail is approximately 3 hours long and deemed a moderate level walk. It's along mostly forest paths and a few forest roads. It can be quite wet, muddy, and open to the elements so this trail is best approached with appropriate wet gear and walking shoes or boots. The blue trail at one and a half hours is an easier route on drier woodland trails which wouldn't require the same level of dressing for the weather and environment. The carpark is well maintained and at the moment is open until 4pm in the afternoon. Coillte's website www.coillteoutdoors.ie provides driving directions and maps of the trails available in this wood.

Superb country estate and gardens within a thirty minute driving distance from our B&B in Dun…read moreLaoghaire. Arriving on a bright sunny morning, we were enjoying a tour of the manor, but then realized the real treasure lay outdoors - in the gardens. These are breathtaking and words don't do them justice, so I'm posting a few pictures. In addition to the ornate English and Italian gardens which are near the manor, we also visited the extensive (and hilly) Japanese gardens which are much further away, and made sure we stopped by the quaint pet cemetery. Truth be told, we could easily have spent 2-3 more hours at Powerscourt, because there was so much more to see. But it started raining (not unusual in Ireland!), so we reluctantly tore ourselves away and made our way to Enniskerry (with the famous scene from the movie Leap Year) and then to Glendalough via the Wicklow Mountains. Parking was easy, and there is an excellent (but expensive) restaurant and cafe on the premises, so we could renew ourselves with coffee and sugary snacks. Will be back for sure!

Powerscourt Estate and Gardens in Ireland is a stunning destination, often ranked among the top…read morethree gardens in the world. This garden is meticulously designed, has amazing views, and has many types of vibrant flora. Unique features like the charming pet cemetery add to its appeal. I loved my visit here especially the Japanese Garden.

Palmerston Park is a treasure of a park that admittedly I lived right next to and didn't notice it…read morewas there until about 7 months in. From the outside it's deceptviely small looking, but once you get inside you'll find that it's quite large and there's many different sections and areas. If you ever get a sunny spring day it's perfect place to sit outside and relax in the sunshine. There's a footpath that goes around the perimeter of the park. It's excellent if you're looking for a change in your walking routine or somewhere safe for the kids to ride their bikes around. I've never seen the park crowded which is perfect because you're always sure to get a spot on the grass, which can't be said for St. Stephen's Green. And also a nerdy history note, Palmerston Park was the headquarters of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, during the Battle of Rathmines in 1649. When Butler and his troops were defeated, the route was opened for Cromwell to invade the rest of Ireland ... ok so maybe not a selling point for the park, but still something to think about when you're bikin around.

Watch out for the duck pond. In the twilight, careless walkers may mistake its green algae for…read moregrass and stroll right in. I got within a few feet before my walking companion pulled me back. Dangers aside, this is a gorgeous park. Gorgeous and old. You can feel its age. These massive trees didn't spring up in the last couple of years - I'm sure their roots were already deep when my grandparents were young. There is something very special about strolling around a beautiful old park this like without seeing another soul. Other parks may be more beautiful, but few are as stately.

I went in looking for a purple lilac bush. Lee was incredibly helpful, looking up the type I wanted…read moreand ordering it in. When I came to collect it he had two options for me and had loads of information on the options to help me decide. Amazing customer service, thank you!​

This is not just a garden centre! well, a lot of it is a garden centre with plants and pots and…read morecompost and every other thing you would expect to find in a garden centre. The bit i love though is the home section bit. My most recent visit was about a month ago and it is full ofthe most gorgeous christmas decorations.There are a few trees set up and decorated in different themes and under each tree are the decorations for sale. My favourites were the kind of country home made kind of classy decorations, ones that are like little gingham hearts and snomen and robins made of scraps of material there areones that use buttons too, just so different to what you would find in your average shop in town, and thatis what powerscourt is all about, finding something individual. there is a 20% off sale on right now, just so you know!

The Peoples Park is a nice clean park. Great for a lazy summers day, especially with Teddy's famous…read moreice cream and the sea side just out the back. It gets busy on Sundays for the Farmers Market(11-4) which has a great and varied selection of food from all over. Can be a bit twee, but that goes with the territory at these things. It's not just restricted to food though, there are some cracking bookstalls and a few craft ones too. This is where I discovered Paulo Coelho, I'm in debt. Now, to business. Traditionally there are three days a year in which Dun Laoghaire stops hovering on the verge of crap and makes the great leap forward into being the greatest place in the world. The Festival of World Cultures, although it's just two days this year(29/30th Aug), is the best weekend in Dublin. Sun, sea, hippies, pints and banging samba drums all for free(except pints of course, but where there's a will...). It's pure awesome, and the Park is one of the festivals main hubs. Love it.

The People's Park in Dun Laoghaire is a charming little patch of greenery overlooking the…read morecoastline. It's the perfect place for lazing about on a sunny day. It boasts some cute little tearooms and one of the few Sunday farmers markets on the southside (though I'm open to correction on this one). There's a mellow buzz in the air during the market and even if you're not hungry, you're sure to snack on some of the fudge, falafel or fruit that the traders have to offer before leaving. Tends to be happy families in here on a sunny Sunday and there is often some impromptu entertainment in the offing too. It's picturesque and nautically themed with a boat overflowing with flowers at the entrance.