Overview
Avondale Forest Park lies just 1.5 km south of Rathdrum in County Wicklow, a short drive from Dublin. Spanning roughly 500 acres of mixed woodland, the park is anchored by Avondale House, the Georgian manor built in 1777 and the birthplace of Irish nationalist Charles Stewart Parnell. The estate’s flagship attraction, Beyond the Trees, offers a fully accessible 1.4 km timber walkway that lifts visitors into the canopy, a 38‑metre viewing tower with 360° panoramas, and a 90‑metre spiral slide that whisks you back to ground level. Around the treetop walk you’ll find a walled garden, the modern Seed Café, a playground, and a network of marked forest trails.
History / Background
The story of Avondale begins in the late 18th century with Samuel Hayes, a barrister‑naturalist who inherited the land and planted over 8,000 trees from around the world, creating Ireland’s first large‑scale forest estate. Hayes also wrote one of the earliest Irish texts on forestry, laying the groundwork for the nation’s re‑afforestation programme.
After Hayes died childless 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 become the “uncrowned king of Ireland”.
In the early 20th century the estate served as a forestry school and experimental arboretum, most famously the Great Tree Experiment of 1905, which tested exotic species for future Irish woodlands. The Irish state purchased the land in 1904; Coillte now manages the forest, re‑planting exotic conifers, giant redwoods and Sitka spruce.
A major restoration programme announced by Fáilte Ireland in 2019 culminated in the opening of Beyond the Trees Avondale by President Michael D. Higgins in July 2022, and the refurbished Avondale House reopened for guided tours in 2023.
What to See & Do
Beyond the Trees experience
- Treetop Walk – 1.4 km elevated boardwalk, wheelchair‑accessible, with interpretive panels on native and exotic trees.
- Viewing Tower – 38 metres high, offering 360° views of the Wicklow Mountains, Avonmore River valley and Vale of Avoca.
- Spiral Slide – 90 metre corkscrew slide, the longest of its kind in Ireland, delivering an adrenaline‑filled descent.
- Coillte Pavilion – Interactive exhibition on Irish forestry, climate action and biodiversity.
- Walled Garden – Sunny brick‑walled space nurturing wildflowers and produce for the on‑site café.
- Seed Café – Serves light meals and drinks, using ingredients from the garden.
- Playground & Forest Trails – Family‑friendly routes and activity areas throughout the park.
Avondale House
- Guided House Tours – Small‑group tours (max 12) explore the drawing‑room, library, the American Room dedicated to Admiral Charles Stewart, and the historic saw‑mill ruins.
- Museum Displays – Trace the Parnell family’s political legacy and the evolution of Irish forestry.
- Garden Walks – Stroll the original Georgian gardens and view the surviving well and mill foundations.
Wildlife & Nature
The forest contains a living collection of species introduced by Samuel Hayes, including giant redwoods, Japanese cedar and Scots pine. Seasonal birdwatching is rewarding; buzzards, woodpeckers and occasional migratory warblers can be spotted from the treetop walk. The walled garden attracts pollinators, and the sensory garden offers tactile experiences for neuro‑diverse visitors.
Practical Information
- Location: 1.5 km south of Rathdrum, County Wicklow (approximately 1 hour from Dublin by car).
- Opening hours: See front‑matter – seasonal timetable runs from November to September, with extended summer hours (e.g., 09:30‑19:00 in June‑July).
- Admission:
- Treetop Walk + Viewing Tower: €18 adult, €15 child (4‑17), €16 student/senior, family from €58.50.
- Spiral Slide: €2 per person.
- Avondale House tour: €16 adult, €13 child, €14 student/senior, family from €52.
- Combined Walk + House: €30.60 adult, €25.20 child, €27 student/senior, family up to €79.20.
- Parking: Free car park with approximately 150 spaces, including 25 disabled bays and 6 EV charging points.
- Accessibility: Fully wheelchair‑accessible treetop walk, viewing tower and visitor centre; disabled parking; accessible toilets and Changing Place room; wheelchairs available to loan; sensory garden.
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, Seed Café, playground, information desk.
- Getting there:
- By car: Via the R752, with clear signage for the Avondale turn‑off.
- By public transport: Limited Bus Éireann services (route 133) run from Rathdrum town centre to the park entrance. The nearest railway station is Rathdrum (approximately 2 km away); a short taxi ride connects the station to the site.
- Visitor tips: Arrive early in summer to avoid queues at the slide; book house tours in advance during peak season; bring a water bottle for the forest trails; dogs are welcome on the outer forest trails but not inside the house or the treetop walk.
Nearby Attractions
- Killruddery House and Gardens – A short 15‑minute drive north, offering formal gardens, a historic house and seasonal events. [/killruddery_house_and_gardens_bray_co_wicklow/]
- Avoca Handweaving Mill – Explore Ireland’s oldest hand‑weaving operation and shop for locally woven textiles. [/avoca-handweaving-mill/]
- Glendalough – The monastic settlement and lake district lie about 20 km west, ideal for a longer day of walking.
- Brittas Bay – A popular sandy beach on the east coast, perfect for a post‑park picnic.
Enjoy a day where Ireland’s natural beauty and political heritage intertwine, from the lofty canopy to the historic rooms of Avondale House.