Curragh Chase Forest Park

Overview

Curragh Chase Caravan and Camping Park will be closed for the 2024 season. An invitation to tender has been advertised and we hope to have a new operator in place for the 2025 season.

There are over 300 hectares of rolling parkland, trails, mixed woodland, lakes and an arboretum at Curragh Chase. This planned landscape was the former home of the de Vere family, the most notable being Sir Aubrey de Vere who was a poet and an author. The façade of the former grand house sits proud on the hill overlooking the main car park and man-made lake. There are many wonderful features of the de Vere estate dotted around the Park for you to find, including; the impressive arboretum, a pet cemetery and a memorial cross.

For the nature lover, there are a number of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) in the park, largely due to the presence of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). The hawfinch, a rare bird on Irish soils has frequently been seen at Curragh Chase, this bird appreciates the many hornbeam trees to be found within the Park. Coillte is currently involved in restoring native woodlands within important pockets in the park, including a native Yew woodland. Ducks and an array of waterfowl live and waddle in the area on and around the lake.

There is ample to do and see for an enjoyable day at Curragh Chase for all ages.

NO MORE COINS!

A NEW CASHLESS PAYMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AT THIS CAR PARK

PAYMENT CAN NOW BE MADE BY CREDIT & DEBIT CARD
OR
ANY AP BASED PAYMENT SYSTEM

Annual passes are still valid and used in the normal way.
New annual passes can be purchased on www.coillte.ie

ENJOY YOUR VISIT

07.00 – 21.00 (1st April to 31st October)
08.00 – 18.00 (1st November to 31st March)

The park is located 22km west of Limerick city on the N69 coast road close to the villages of Kilcornan and Askeaton.

Get Directions

Things to do

Walk: There are six walking trails to suit all levels of fitness. The Lake Trail (1.1km, 20mins, access for all) is a gentle walk around the perimeter of the man made Lake with great views of the house.
Multi –use: these are both walking and cycling trails that explore the wider wooded part of the Park. The Curragh Trail (2.4km, 30 mins, easy) and the Glenisca Trail (3.6km, 1 hour, moderate) takes the visitor out into the wider forest passing an old cave, limestone outcrops sitting under the trees and the Yew woodland. If you are coming to the forest to connect with nature, then either of these trails will meet your needs.
Playground: There are two extensive playgrounds in the Park.
Arboretum: The de Vere’s put together an extensive and wonderful collection of trees and shrubs from all over the world. Whilst exploring the arboretum area, keep an eye out for the pet cemetery.
Picnic: There are lots of picnic tables and BBQ stands to use at the main car parking area.
Orienteering: A permanent orienteering course has been laid out in Curragh Chase with controls spread out across the Park. This is a great way to see Curragh Chase while keeping fit and honing your navigation skills.
Wheel-O:

Explore nature: Nature lovers will be spoilt for choice with so many habitats and associated flora and fauna. The main jewels are the Yew woodland, the lake and its feathered residents, the bats who reside in the big house and the many specimen trees in the arboretum.