Farran Forest Park
Overview
Farran is a small Park that has a lot to offer in terms of activities and features. It has a diverse mixture of tree and shrub species that make it attractive all year round for visiting. It’s location on the southern shore of Inniscarra lake offer fantastic views of the reservoir and the many rowers at every level who train here, from amateur to Olympian. The lake or reservoir was created in the mid-1950’s by flooding agricultural lands to store water for the nearby Inniscarra hydroelectric generating station.
The Park is a mere fragment of the vast Farran estate that was owned by a Captain Clarke who was involved in the tobacco industry. The demesne passed onto Captain Mathews who converted some of the pasture land to forest. Being a keen sportsman, the Captain planted some carefully sited clumps of broom, laurel and rhododendron to provide cover for game birds as well as planting conifers and broadleaves and creating the lake and hunting lodge.
Coillte have partnered with HiiKER and you can download the app with detailed information on Farran Forest Park at this link HiiKER App Farran Forest Park
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
08.00 – 21.00 (April to September)
08.00 – 17.30 (October to March)
Things to do
Walk: There are two walking trails to suit moderate levels of fitness. The Enclosure Trail (1.1 kms, 25 mins, Easy) will take you around the perimeter of the deer enclosure and duck pond offering clear viewing of the mammals and birds; the Woodland Loop (3 kms, 1hr, moderate) gives the walker a chance to experience the full park which include the homeward leg beside Inniscarra Lake.
Aerial Trails: Zipit offers an aerial trail that has 86 activities and over 800 metres of Ziplines for you to enjoy
Explore nature: There is a spur trail at the back of the Park down to ‘Mallard Cove’ where it is possible to see the fish jumping.
Don’t miss our hidden gem
The wildlife enclosure holds a herd of red and fallow deer along with some very friendly ducks. Watching the deer antic’s with their impressive antlers during the rutting season in autumn and then with their young in the Spring, is reason enough to come to the Park.
Visitors Facilities on site
Download the HiiKER Walking Guide here
Find maps, hiking routes, things to do and information on Coillte initiatives