VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at Westmeath’s Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park

Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, located in Moate, County Westmeath (N37 P271), is a 27-acre community-driven parkland celebrating Ireland’s rural heritage, biodiversity, and cultural traditions. Situated in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, near the Old Rail Trail Greenway, it offers a family-friendly outdoor experience combining history, nature, and recreation. Pronounced “Doon na Shee” (meaning “fort of the fairies”), the park is named after local folklore tied to fairy forts marked by hawthorn bushes.

The Heritage Park offers an immersive journey through Ireland’s rural past, featuring reconstructed historical sites along a guided or self-guided trail. Key attractions include:

Prehistoric Monuments: Stone circles and dolmens representing early farmers.
Medieval Ringfort Farmstead: A recreated protected settlement showcasing medieval rural life.
19th–20th Century Structures: A farmhouse, fisherman’s cottage, and blacksmith’s forge, furnished with period utensils and furniture, allowing visitors to step into historical rural life.
Vintage Museum: Displays old farm machinery and equipment, evoking nostalgia for older visitors and educating younger ones about traditional farming methods.
Folklore and Mythology: Interpretive displays explore rural traditions, storytelling, and myths, such as the fairy lore tied to the park’s name, with references to the ancient warrior Lugh and other legends.
Guided Tours: Available on request, these tours (typically 45–60 minutes) provide in-depth insights into the exhibits, led by knowledgeable staff or volunteers. Self-guided options include information panels for a flexible experience.

Comhaltas Teach Ceoil:

Cultural Hub: The Teach Ceoil, operated by the Moate branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann since 1985, is a highlight, hosting the Scéal Exhibition. This display celebrates Irish music, dance, and language through interactive panels and artifacts. Visitors can learn about traditional music, set dancing, sean-nós dancing, céilídancing, singing, and the Irish language, with classes offered for deeper engagement.
Monthly Céilí: Held on the first Friday of every month at 9:00 PM, these lively dance events attract visitors and locals, fostering a vibrant cultural experience.

Amenity Park and Outdoor Features:

Natural Beauty: The 27-acre park includes biodiverse walking trails, a turlough (seasonal disappearing lake), a native Irish woodland, and an arboretum. A birdwatching hide allows observation of local wildlife, including wild birds, without disturbing their habitat.
Sensory & Butterfly Garden: A community project featuring a tiled mural water feature, a Tyre Well, and pollinator-friendly plants, augmenting the park’s biodiversity focus.
Art in the Park: Sculptures made from recycled and natural materials by local school students and artists, including pieces by professionals and community groups, are scattered throughout, adding visual charm.
Pet Farm: The Fur-ever Friends Farm houses rescued animals like goats, donkeys, rabbits, calves, and birds, delighting children and families. The pet farm requires a separate entry fee, unlike the free Amenity Park.
Playgrounds: A well-equipped children’s playground with a zip wire and other features, plus picnic facilities, makes the park ideal for families. The playground is near Lillymay’s Tea Rooms for convenience.

Additional Attractions:

Genealogy Centre: Visitors can trace their Westmeath roots with assistance from staff (e.g., Bernie), accessing historical records to explore family history.
Fairy Island and Magic Wood: A whimsical area with fairy houses and leprechaun-themed displays, recommended for young children and photo opportunities.
Lough Statue: A tribute to the Irish god of sun and harvest, featuring a 4,000-year-old bog oak spear, blending mythology with art.
A full visit, including the Heritage Trail, pet farm, and café, typically takes 2–3 hours, with some spending half a day during events or sunny days.
Lillymay’s Tea Rooms: Offers hot meals, wraps, paninis, coffee, and homemade treats at reasonable prices, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the park. Praised for excellent service and fresh food.
The Amenity Park is largely accessible with well-maintained walkways, though some Heritage Trail areas may have uneven terrain. Toilets are available at multiple points, and the park is buggy-friendly. Contact info@dunnasi.ie for specific accessibility needs.
Community Spirit: With 60,000 visitors in 2023, the park is a hub for social inclusion, involving local schools, Saint Hilda’s service users, Moate Men’s Shed, and direct provision residents in maintenance and projects, fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
Visitor Feedback: With a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor (72 reviews), Dún na Sí is lauded as a “hidden gem” for its immersive historical displays, family-friendly activities, and well-kept grounds. Visitors highlight the pet farm, playground, and café, with children loving the interactive cottages and animals. Some note the pet farm’s separate fee as a drawback, but the free Amenity Park and affordable café prices are widely appreciated.

Practical Information:

Aghanargit, Moate, Co. Westmeath, N37 P271, 90 minutes from Dublin, 60 minutes from Galway, and 20 km from Athlone. Accessible via the Old Rail Trail Greenway or by car from the N6/M6.
Typically daily from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (Heritage Park and Tea Rooms), with seasonal variations. Check www.dunnasi.ie for exact times, as hours depend on volunteer availability.
Admission: The Amenity Park is free, but the Heritage Park and pet farm charge a modest fee (approximately €5–€7 for adults, €3 for children). Family tickets and group rates are available. Contact +353 (0)90 648 1183 or info@dunnasi.ie for details.
Nearby Attractions: Pair with the Old Rail Trail Greenway, Athlone Castle (20 km), Hill of Uisneach (20 km), or Moate Golf Club for a full day out.

What’s New:

Dún na Sí Market Expansion: From April to September 2025, the monthly Dún na Sí Market will continue, featuring local crafts, fresh produce, unique gifts, and live music.
Sensory & Butterfly Garden Development: The ongoing community project, involving local schools and direct provision residents, will see further enhancements, such as expanded plantings in the polytunnel and new sensory features in collaboration with Temple Accommodation Centre’s community garden. This builds on 2024 efforts to promote biodiversity and inclusion.

Seasonal Events:

Easter Activities: Family-friendly events, such as an Easter egg hunt and animal interactions at the pet farm, will be offered, included with Heritage Park admission, continuing the success of past holiday programmes.
Halloween and Christmas Experiences: Following the popularity of 2024’s Halloween and Christmas walks (featuring snowball-throwing elves, Santa visits, and animal encounters), 2025 will feature enhanced festive trails with new decorations and activities for children, such as storytelling sessions tied to Irish folklore.
Community and Educational Programming: The park plans to expand its educational offerings, with new workshops and talks at the Teach Ceoil, including sessions on Irish music history or rural crafts, building on the monthly céilí tradition. Collaboration with Moate Community School and Saint Hilda’s may introduce new skill-building projects for visitors.
Infrastructure Improvements: Following 2021–2022 funding from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (€126,000) and Community Centre Investment Fund (€76,810) for path repairs, toilet upgrades, and Teach Ceoil enhancements (roof, insulation, heating, lighting), minor updates may improve visitor comfort, such as additional seating or signage, though no major new projects are confirmed.
Tourism Boost: The park aligns with Fáilte Ireland’s 2025–2030 Destination and Experience Development Plan for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, launched in March 2025, which may increase visitor numbers and promote Dún na Sí as a key regional attraction, with new joint promotions with Athlone Castle or the Old Rail Trail.

Practical Tips

Planning Your Visit: Check www.dunnasi.ie for opening hours and event schedules, as volunteer-run operations may vary. Book guided tours in advance for groups via info@dunnasi.ie or +353 (0)90 648 1183. Allow 2–3 hours for a full visit, including the café and pet farm.
Best Start with the Heritage Trail for historical context, then explore the Amenity Park’s trails and playground. Visit the Teach Ceoil for cultural insights and check the market schedule (April–September) for a lively experience. Bring comfortable shoes for uneven paths and cash for café or market purchases.
Confirm specific needs with staff, as some Heritage Park areas may have uneven terrain. The playground and café are buggy-friendly, and toilets are accessible.
Nearby Amenities: Lillymay’s Tea Rooms offers affordable dining, and Moate’s restaurants, pubs, and shops (e.g., Moate Library, Peadar’s Bar) are a short walk away. Combine with a cycle on the Old Rail Trail or a visit to Athlone Castle for a full day.

Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park is a vibrant, community-driven destination offering a blend of history, culture, and outdoor fun, with 2025 enhancements like an expanded market and festive events adding to its appeal. For the latest updates on events, fees, or hours, visit www.dunnasi.ie