Located in the Castlecomer Demesne, just outside Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny (R95 HY7X), Castlecomer Discovery Park and Visitor Centre is an 80-acre outdoor activity park set in stunning mixed woodland and lakes, once part of the Wandesforde Estate. Opened in 2007 as a community-driven initiative to rejuvenate the area after the 1969 coal mine closures, this not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity offers a diverse range of recreational, educational, and cultural experiences. Ideal for families, adventure seekers, school groups, and team-building outings, the park combines thrilling activities with a rich exploration of local heritage, earning accolades like the 2015 Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce Business Award for Culture/Heritage Tourism.
Adventure Activities:
- Zipline and Octagon High Ropes Course: Ireland’s longest over-water zipline (300m long, 35m high) offers an exhilarating ride over woodland, lakes, and a 17th-century restored bridge. The Octagon High Ropes Course, set on a two-level octagonal frame, challenges participants with nets, ropes, and wooden bridges. Priced at €16 each or €27 combined (pre-2025), these are suited for ages 12+ (min. height 1.3m, max. weight 120kg).
- Tree Top Adventure Walk: A 140m course 10m above the sycamore treetops provides a bird’s-eye view of the park, ideal for families and team-building (ages 7+, min. height 1.2m, €12.50).
- Climbing Wall and Leap of Faith: The 7m climbing wall offers varying difficulty levels, while the Leap of Faith involves climbing a pole, balancing, and jumping to a target (ages 7+, €12.50).
- Boating and Canoeing: Pedal boats and Canadian canoes (max. 4 per boat, ages 4+, €15/30 minutes) allow leisurely exploration of the larger lake, surrounded by magnificent trees and a historic bridge. Pre-booking is essential.
- Archery and Axe Throwing: Archery (ages 8+, €15) and axe throwing (ages 12+) provide skill-based fun, popular for groups.
- Junior Woodland Adventure Course and Bouncing Nets: Designed for ages 3–8, this low-risk course (2 feet off the ground) and bouncing nets encourage active play (€48 for a 5-session pass).
Family-Friendly Features:
- Timber Tumbles Playground: A mining-themed playground with a mini zipline, climbing wall, swings, and slide suits ages 2–14 (free).
- Elf & Fairy Village: A whimsical, hand-crafted woodland village with toadstool mushrooms, a sweet shop, and fairy headquarters is free to explore, a 7–10-minute walk from reception.
- Seasonal Events: Easter, Halloween, and Christmas events include themed trails (e.g., “Toy Story” Easter trail) and workshops, delighting families. The Santa Train and Elf Village are festive highlights.
Educational Attractions:
- Coal Mining Exhibition – Footprints in Coal: This 45-minute interactive multimedia tour in the visitor centre explores Castlecomer’s coal mining heritage, from its 17th-century origins to the 1969 closure. Exhibits include mining tools and stories, praised as “intriguing” and suitable for all ages (last admission 1 hour before closing).
- SFI Discover Centre: As a Science Foundation Ireland-accredited centre, the park offers primary school programmes focusing on STEM skills like investigation, data collection, and problem-solving, making learning “fresh and fun.”
- Walking Trails and Nature: Over 6km of themed woodland trails, including four Sport Ireland outdoor trails, wind through the park’s lakes and River Deen. Free trail maps are available at reception, and picnic spots dot the river’s edge and secluded areas. The trails, open daily from 8:30am to dusk, are recommended for hiking, orienteering (€3), or nature exploration, with wildlife like rainbow trout in the lakes.
Craft and Dining:
- Estate Yard Craft Centre: Housed in the former stable yard, this features pottery studios, a silversmith, goldsmith, stonemason, and craft shops, showcasing local artisans.
- Jarrow Café and Canopy Café: The Jarrow Café (visitor centre, 10am–5pm) and seasonal Canopy Café (near the Elf Village, 11am–3pm summer) serve snacks, lunches, and coffee, with reviewers praising the “large” courtyard setting.
- Cian’s Cabin Sensory Room: A calming space for visitors with autism or sensory needs, named after a local child, Cian, and supported by AsIAm’s National Autism Charity.
- Animal Viewing Area: A small sanctuary with animals adds to the family-friendly appeal.
Visitor Expectations:
- A visit can last 3–6 hours, depending on activities chosen, with most requiring pre-booking (call +353 (0)56 444 0707 or visit www.discoverypark.ie).
- The park’s “beautiful” 80-acre woodland, “well-organised” operations, and “helpful” staff create a “great day out” for all ages, as per Tripadvisor’s 2025 reviews.
- Activities like the zipline (€15–€16) and boating (€15) are individually priced, with parking at €5/day or €50 for an annual pass. The park is open year-round, with the visitor centre and Jarrow Café operating weekdays 9:30am–3:30pm and weekends 10am–5pm (May–August) or 10:30am–4pm (September–April).
- Outdoor activities run daily 11am–3pm during peak seasons (summer, midterms, Easter) and weekends only off-peak.
- The park is largely wheelchair-accessible, with gravel pathways and three designated parking spaces, though some hilly trails and activities (e.g., zipline) have restrictions.
- Online reviews highlight the “exciting” zipline, “fun” playground, and “educational” mining exhibition, though some note the need for dry weather and occasional gravel path maintenance. The park’s location, 25 minutes from Kilkenny city and 90 minutes from Dublin via M9/M7, makes it accessible by car or bus from Kilkenny.
What’s New:
- Operation Minefall – AR-Enhanced Investigation: A new augmented reality (AR) experience where visitors, as W.I.S.E. agents, use iPads to solve riddles and uncover a buried antidote to stop a mind-controlling element from Castlecomer’s mining past. Aimed at ages 10+ (younger with adult help), this interactive puzzle-based adventure encourages teamwork and historical exploration within the Coal Mining Exhibition.
- Junior Play Area Pass: A new €48 pass includes four sessions on the Junior Woodland Adventure Course and Bouncing Nets, with the fifth session free, ideal for frequent visitors with young children (ages 3–8).
Additional Tips:
- Booking: Pre-book activities online at www.discoverypark.ie, especially for zipline, boating, and high ropes, as walk-ins may face availability issues. Groups of 20+ should call for tailored packages.
- Preparation: Wear closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops) and bring a change of clothes for boating. Pack a picnic for riverside tables, and check weather forecasts, as activities close in severe conditions.
- Getting There: From Kilkenny, take N78 (25 minutes); from Dublin, use M9/M7 (90 minutes). Bus Éireann serves Castlecomer, with the park 200m from town. Follow signs to the main iron gates.
- Combine Visits: Pair with Dunmore Cave (15km), Kilkenny Castle (20km), or the Castlecomer Estate Yard craft shops for a full day.
- Contact info@discoverypark.ie for specific needs, as some activities have age/height restrictions, and gravel paths may challenge mobility.
- Events: Check social media for Easter (April), Halloween, or Christmas events, like the Santa Train, which require early booking.
Castlecomer Discovery Park and Visitor Centre offers a thrilling mix of adventure, nature, and heritage, with 2025’s Operation Minefall and Junior Play Area Pass adding fresh excitement to this Kilkenny gem
