Avondale Forest

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Avondale Forest
Beyond the Trees Avondale - 2025-04-05 03.jpg
Elevated walkway in Avondale Forest Park
Geography
Location County Wicklow, Ireland
Coordinates 52°54′59.09″N6°13′22″W / 52.9164139°N 6.22278°W / 52.9164139; -6.22278
Areac. 500 acres [1]
Administration
Operated by Coillte
Viewing Tower of Beyond the Trees Avondale Viewing Tower of Beyond the Trees Avondale - 2025-04-05 13.jpg
Viewing Tower of Beyond the Trees Avondale

Avondale Forest is a wooded estate in County Wicklow, Ireland, on the west bank of the River Avonmore. The forest is located on the demesne of Avondale House which was built in 1777 by Samuel Hayes who planted thousands of trees on the estate. [2] [3] The forest park includes an exotic tree trail, canopy walkways and an arboretum.

Contents

Avondale House

Avondale Forest was planted on the lands surrounding Avondale House. This mansion, built in 1777 by Samuel Hayes, was subsequently bequeathed to Sir John Parnell, 2nd Baronet (1744–1801) and was later the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891). The Avondale estate was bought by the Irish state in 1904. [1] The house was used as a forestry school and the grounds planted with a great variety of trees. The house was opened as the Charles Stewart Parnell Museum in 1986. [4]

Habitats and ecology

The forest at Avondale is reflective of the wider practices and history of Irish forests. Little native woodland remains, foreign species were planted for their high return and little thought was given to restoring Ireland's native woodlands. However, the park is rich in wildlife, including seven species of bat. [5]

Location and amenities

Avondale Forest Park lies mainly on the west bank of the Avonmore River and covers over 500 acres (200 ha) of land. The ruins of Parnell's old sawmill and Parnell's well are located in the park. [6]

The forest park was subject to further development between late 2019 and 2020.[ citation needed ] In July 2022, President Michael D. Higgins officially opened "Beyond the Trees Avondale", a visitor attraction at Avondale Forest Park which includes a treetop walkway and viewing tower. [7]

A new cafe restaurant was built along with a visitor centre on 'the great ride' (a long stretch of green space in the middle of Avondale along which horses were ridden in times past), and canopy walkways were also developed. [8]

Trails

Trails in the park include: Centenary Walk, River walk along the banks of the Avonmore River, Exotic Tree Trail, Slí na Sláinte (path to health walk), Cairn Walk, [8] and Pine Trail. There is a weekly parkrun on Saturday mornings. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Coillte to begin works on €8 million re-development plan for Avondale Forest Park in 2020". coillte.ie (Press release). 16 February 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  2. ↑ McCracken, Eileen (1 November 1968). "Samuel Hayes of Avondale". Irish Forestry. ISSN   0021-1192.
  3. ↑ Donlan, Seán P. (October 2009). "Hayes, Samuel". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Royal Irish Academy. doi:10.3318/dib.003878.v1 . Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "RTÉ Archives - Parnell Museum at Avondale Wicklow (1986)". rte.ie. RTÉ.
  5. ↑ "Forest Biodiversity". beyondthetreesavondale.com. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  6. ↑ "Avondale Forest Park, Map and description". coillteoutdoors.ie. Archived from the original on 29 November 2007.
  7. ↑ "President Michael D. Higgins Opens 'Beyond the Trees Avondale', a Unique New Visitor Destination in Coillte's Avondale Forest Park, Co. Wicklow". coillte.ie (Press release). 6 July 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Avondale Forest Park". coillte.ie.
  9. ↑ "Avondale forest parkrun". parkrun.ie. 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
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