VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at Roscommon’s Lough Key Forest Park

Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, located on the N4 between Boyle and Carrick-on-Shannon in County Roscommon, is an 800-hectare parkland and forest, part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. This flagship destination, managed by Coillte and Roscommon County Council, combines stunning natural beauty, historical landmarks, and a wide range of family-friendly activities. Once part of the Rockingham estate, the park features a lake with numerous islands, majestic trees, and unique attractions, earning high praise on Tripadvisor for its accessibility, variety, and welcoming staff.:

Lough Key Experience (Self-Guided Audio Tour): A highlight is the self-guided Rockingham Remembered Tour (€20 for 2 adults and 1 child), which takes visitors through 19th-century servant tunnels, the five-story Moylurg Viewing Tower (accessible by lift), and Ireland’s first 300m-long Tree Canopy Walk, rising 9m above the woodland floor. This tour offers panoramic views of the island-studded lake and insights into the park’s history, flora, and fauna, with audio commentary suitable for all ages. The experience is fully wheelchair-accessible, including wheelchair orienteering.
The tour explores the former Rockingham estate, where the manor was destroyed by fire in 1957, leaving behind tunnels, stables, and outbuildings, with the Moylurg Tower built in 1973 on the house’s site.

Adventure and Activities:

Boda Borg: Ireland’s largest indoor escape room-style adventure (€18–€22 per person, depending on duration), suitable for ages 7+ (minimum 3, maximum 5 per team). This weatherproof activity features 15 quests with 47 mental and physical challenges, requiring teamwork and ingenuity without instructions. New quests are added annually, ensuring fresh experiences.
Zipit Forest Adventures: An aerial obstacle course with zip lines, rope bridges, and climbing walls, ideal for older children and adults. Pricing varies by circuit (e.g., €35 for adults, €25 for juniors).
Adventure Play Kingdom: A vibrant, enclosed outdoor playground with towers, slides, swings, and puzzles for children up to 12, providing hours of safe fun.
Boating and Water Activities: Lough Key Boats offers hourly scenic boat tours (July–August), rowboat, and powerboat hire. P Macs Kayaks provides kayaking, and a sauna by the lake adds relaxation. The park connects to the Shannon-Erne Waterway, with a 50-berth marina for cruisers.
Cycling and Walking Trails: Over 800 acres of trails include the 6km Lough Key Forest Park Run route, a new Boyle to Lough Key Cycleway, and scenic walks like the Bog Garden, Wishing Chair, and Fairy Bridge. Bike hire (regular and electric) and Segway tours are available, with trails suitable for buggies and off-road wheelchairs. Dogs are welcome on outdoor trails (leashed, except in the Lough Key Experience).

Additional Facilities:

Lakeside Café and Food Truck: The 100-seat café serves tasty, reasonably priced food (including gluten-free and lactose-free options), with a food truck and coffee cart by the lakeside for snacks. Picnicking is popular across the expansive grounds.
Visitor Centre: The gateway to the park, offering a gift shop, free Wi-Fi, and information. It’s a hub for bookings and inquiries (071-9673122).
Caravan and Camping Park: Fáilte Ireland-approved, with 45 hard stands, tenting areas, showers, toilets, laundry, and a recreational room with pool and arcade games. Open March–October, it’s a 5-minute walk from the Visitor Centre.
The park is highly accessible, with smooth gravel trails, wheelchair-friendly facilities, and free parking for EU Parking Card holders.

Historical and Natural Highlights:

Explore Castle Island, historic follies, bridges, canals, and the underground tunnels once used by servants to stay out of sight. The park’s bog garden, native woodlands, and views of surrounding mountains and three counties from the Moylurg Tower are breathtaking.
The park’s natural beauty and historical remnants, like the 19th-century estate features, make it a filming location for shows like Moone Boy and The Cellar.
Family-Friendly Appeal:
With activities for ages 6–90, the park caters to all, from gentle walks to thrilling zip lines. Reviews highlight its appeal for families, with children loving the playground and Boda Borg, while adults enjoy the history and scenery. Staff are noted for their friendliness and helpfulness, such as assisting with lost items.
Practical Information: On the N4, 5km from Boyle, 40 miles from Ireland West Airport Knock. Accessible by train (Boyle Station, Sligo–Dublin route) or bus (Bus Éireann).
Open year-round; outdoor trails are always accessible. Visitor Centre, café, and activity hours vary seasonally (check www.loughkey.ie).
Parking: €6 per vehicle (pay-on-exit, coins or contactless), free with €20 spent on attractions or food. Annual pass €50.
Visits range from 2 hours to a full day, with camping options for longer stays.
Reviews: Highly rated for its variety, cleanliness, and value, though some note inconsistent customer service at the café.

What’s New:

Increased Visitor Numbers and Events: Following a surge in 2024 (120,000 visitors), 2025 will see major events like the Night and Day Festival (featuring artists like Jose Gonzalez and KT Tunstall) and the return of the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships in Boyle, augmenting the park’s vibrancy.
Strategic Redevelopment Plan: Coillte is seeking a new adventure tourism operator to manage the park, with a 10-year plan to upgrade amenities, add new attractions, and improve recreational facilities. This may include expanded activity hubs, renovated historical buildings, and enhanced café spaces, though specific additions are still in planning.
Trail Enhancements: Extra funding will improve trail waymarking and add new routes, building on the park’s well-maintained paths (rated 3/5 for quality).
Boda Borg Updates: New quests are introduced annually, ensuring fresh challenges for repeat visitors.
Cycleway and Connectivity: The Boyle to Lough Key Cycleway, recently developed, will be further promoted, with improvements to signage or bike hire options.

Recommendations:

Book activities like Boda Borg or boat tours in advance via www.loughkey.ie, as they can sell out (per Viator data).
Bring a picnic to enjoy the grounds, but try the café’s Moon Boy Bap for a unique treat.
Wear comfortable shoes for trails and layers for variable weather. The park’s indoor options (Boda Borg, café) ensure fun on rainy days.
Combine with nearby attractions like Arigna Mining Experience or Boyle Abbey for a full day in the region.
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park offers a blend of adventure, history, and natural beauty, with new events and planned upgrades augmenting its appeal as a recommended visit destination in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Check www.loughkey.ie for the latest details before your visit.