Site Name:

National Grid Reference

W 477 712   Understanding grid references

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series:

80

Location

20km west of Cork city and just north of the N22 towards Macroom  Download location map

How do I get there?

From Cork travel on the N22  west for 14km, at Srelane cross take a right, travel 6km to forest park entrance on the right. From Macroom travel east on the N22 for 6 km, take a left and travel 10 km to Rooves bridge, take a right and travel 4 km to park entrance on the left.

Farran Forest Park Trail(s)

• Enclosure Trail
• Woodland Loop
• Download Map - All Trails

Farran Forest Park is located on the southern shore of Inniscarra lake and holds panoramic views of the lake and surrounding countryside. This lake is really a reservoir, constructed in the mid 1950’s to store water for the nearby Inniscarra hydro electric generating station.

The forest which is 45 ha. in extent, once formed a mere fragment of the vast Farran estate which was owned by a Captain Clarke – of tobacco products fame. The demesne passed on to 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.

Farran Forest Park has ample car parking, toilets, and a playground.  Other notable features include a wildlife enclosure and a large duck pond.  The wildlife enclosure holds a small herd of Red and Fallow deer which can easily be viewed from the waymarked Enclosure Trail that skirts the boundary fence.  Adults and children alike get great enjoyment from being able to observe these beautiful animals.  The duck pond, which was originally a ‘flighting pond’, includes duck species such as; Mallard, Teal, Widgeon, and Shoveler along with Greylag, White Fronted, Barnacle, Snow and Egyptian geese. 

An old shooting lodge adjacent to the wildlife enclosure has been converted into a woodland ecology display centre. Here can be found information on almost everything that exists in a normal forest habitat.

A visit to this part of the park is an educational experience for both young and old.

The children’s playground, just a short distance from the car park, has an adventure trail to captivate the imagination of the adventurous and energetic children. The challenge here is to get around it without touching the ground.

There are 2 waymarked looped forest trails in the park; the Woodland Loop and the Enclosure Trail.

Finally, the National Rowing Centre is also located within the park on the lake shores. National and international competitions are held here throughout the year and the centre is used daily as a training facility.

Contact Info