Overview
Avondale is where Irish forestry began – the naturalist Samuel Hayes planted thousands of trees here from the 1770s – and where Charles Stewart Parnell was born and raised. Today most people come for what Coillte added in 2022: Beyond the Trees, a 1.4 km elevated boardwalk through the canopy, a 38-metre viewing tower, and a 90-metre spiral slide that drops you back to the forest floor. The Georgian house, the walled garden, the Seed Café and a web of marked forest trails (2 km to 5.2 km) fill out a half-day in the woods 1.5 km south of Rathdrum, about an hour from Dublin.
If you’ve a choice, the treetop walk and tower are the thing to book; the slide is the bit children won’t stop talking about. One thing to know before you arrive: the car park costs €6 per vehicle, contactless, even though the older signage and a lot of out-of-date write-ups still call it free.
The History of Avondale
The estate’s origins trace back to the late 18th century, when barrister and naturalist Samuel Hayes inherited the land. Hayes planted more than 8,000 trees sourced from across the globe, establishing Ireland’s first large-scale forest estate. He also authored one of the country’s earliest texts on forestry, helping to shape Ireland’s future re-afforestation efforts.
After Hayes died without heirs in 1795, the property passed to his cousin Sir John Parnell and later to William Parnell-Hayes. Their son, Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891), was born in Avondale House and would go on to become a central figure in Irish parliamentary history.
During the early 20th century, the estate operated as a forestry school and experimental arboretum. The 1905 Great Tree Experiment tested how exotic species would perform in Irish soil, directly influencing modern planting strategies. The Irish state acquired the land in 1904, and Coillte now manages the woodland, maintaining stands of giant redwoods, Sitka spruce, and Scots pine. A major restoration project, funded by Fáilte Ireland, led to the opening of the Beyond the Trees attraction in July 2022. The refurbished Avondale House reopened for guided tours in 2023, restoring the manor to its former role as a public heritage site.
What to See & Do
Beyond the Trees Experience
The canopy walkway is designed for all ability levels, featuring gentle gradients and wide timber decking. Interpretive panels along the route explain the history of Irish forestry and identify native and introduced species. At the highest point, the 38-metre viewing tower provides panoramic sightlines across the surrounding mountain ranges, the Avonmore River valley, and the Vale of Avoca.
The 90-metre spiral slide drops you back to the forest floor in seconds. It costs €2 a go, paid on the day rather than with your ticket, and it’s weather dependent – a wet morning can close it, so don’t promise the children until you’re there. On the ground, the Coillte Pavilion runs displays on climate, sustainable timber and local biodiversity, and the walled garden supplies the Seed Café with seasonal produce. Usefully, entry to the Seed Café, the walled garden and the Coillte Pavilion is free, so a non-walking member of the party can wait without paying in.
Avondale House Tours
The house is seen by guided tour, covering the formal drawing room, the library, and the American Room, which honours Admiral Charles Stewart, a naval officer and distant relative of the Parnell family. The tour leans on Parnell’s political story and the practical history of Irish forestry, and it’s pitched at children aged eight and up – younger ones tend to be happier outside on the trails or the slide. Outside, you can walk the original Georgian gardens and see the foundations of the old sawmill and well.
Wildlife & Grounds
Samuel Hayes’ original planting scheme created a living botanical archive. Giant redwoods, Japanese cedar, and mature conifers dominate the canopy, while the undergrowth supports seasonal birdlife. Buzzards, woodpeckers, and migratory warblers are regular sightings from the boardwalk. The sensory garden provides tactile plantings and quiet seating, designed specifically for neuro-diverse visitors. A dedicated playground and marked forest trails offer additional activity for families.
Practical Information
- Opening hours: Open year-round, but hours are seasonal and change through the year – broadly, shorter days in winter (with some weekday closures November–February) and into the evening in July and August. Check the official site before travelling, especially out of season.
- Admission: Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower are €18 adult, €15 child (4–17) and €16 concession, with family tickets of €35 (one adult, three children) or €46 (two adults, three children). The Avondale House tour is €16/€13/€14, family €30 or €42. A combination ticket for both works out cheaper than buying separately: €30.60 adult, €25.20 child, €27 concession, and €58.50 or €79.20 for a family – worth doing the sums, as a family of four through the lot is not a cheap day. The slide is a separate €2 on the day.
- Parking: The car park costs €6 per vehicle (contactless), with disabled and age-friendly bays. An annual car-park pass is €50 if you’re a regular. Treetop Night Lights, a ticketed evening event, runs from mid-November.
- Accessibility: The treetop walk, viewing tower, and visitor centre are fully wheelchair accessible. The site includes accessible toilets, a Changing Place room, and loaner wheelchairs. The sensory garden is designed for neuro-diverse visitors.
- Getting there: Drive via the R752, following clear signage for the Avondale turn-off. Public transport options are limited; Bus Éireann route 133 runs from Rathdrum town centre to the park entrance. Rathdrum railway station is approximately 2 km away, with taxi connections available.
- Visitor tips: House tours operate on a timed booking system, so reserve slots online during school holidays and summer weekends. The slide queue moves quickly in the late afternoon, but morning visits guarantee shorter waits. Dogs are permitted on the outer forest trails and car park perimeter, but must be kept on leads and are not allowed inside the house or on the treetop walk. Bring a refillable water bottle for the forest trails, as the Seed Café is the only food service on site.
Nearby Attractions
- Avoca Handweaving Mill – Visit Ireland’s oldest working hand-weaving mill and browse locally produced textiles.
- Avoca Village – Explore the historic village, river walks, and traditional pubs a short drive east.
- Brittas Bay – Head to the east coast for wide sandy beaches, coastal walks, and watersports.
Book your house tour slot online before arriving, and allow at least half a day to navigate the treetop walk, slide, and manor at a relaxed pace.