Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park

Overview

The name Dún na Sí means ‘the fort of the fairies’, after local folklore of a fairy fort marked by a lone hawthorn on this spot. The park spreads over 27 acres of parkland just outside Moate, County Westmeath, and splits in two: a paid Heritage Park that recreates rural Irish life with reconstructed farmsteads, a forge and a music school, and a free Amenity Park of woodland trails, a turlough and a pet farm. With children in tow, head for the pet farm and the Heritage Trail first; the woodland walks keep for a quieter stretch of the afternoon. One thing worth knowing: the Heritage Park only opens April to September, so an off-season visit is really just the free Amenity Park.

History

The park’s origins trace back to 1985, when the original Dún na Sí Centre opened to serve the local community. In 2008, volunteers transformed a former agricultural field into a public amenity space, planting native trees and creating accessible walking routes. By 2015, the site merged with the Midlands Amenity Park Association, securing its future as a permanent cultural and recreational hub. Community involvement remains the driving force behind the park, with local volunteers managing animal care, hosting heritage demonstrations and maintaining the grounds. This grassroots effort has earned the park several accolades, including the Midlands 103 Hospitality Award in 2019 and a National Pride of Place recognition for Moate in 2016.

What to See & Do

Heritage Trail

The self-guided Heritage Trail winds through centuries of Irish rural history. You will pass a reconstructed dolmen and stone circle, followed by a medieval ringfort that hints at the area’s early settlement. Moving forward in time, the trail features a 19th-century farmhouse, a fisherman’s cottage and a working blacksmith’s forge where you can often hear the rhythm of hammer on anvil. The Hedge School and Mass Rock displays provide sobering context on how communities navigated the Penal Laws, while knowledgeable volunteers are frequently on hand to share stories of daily life in a bygone era.

Rural Museum & Vintage Exhibits

Inside the Rural Museum, carefully restored agricultural tools and vintage machinery tell the story of Westmeath’s farming heritage. The collection includes everything from horse-drawn ploughs to early threshing equipment. Visitors can also explore a dedicated display of traditional Irish musical instruments, a nod to the region’s deep folk music roots. Interactive stations allow younger guests to handle replicas of historical farming tools, making the exhibits engaging for all ages.

Pet Farm

The pet farm – ‘Fur-ever Friends Farm’ – is a firm favourite with families and is home to rescued animals. Goats, donkeys, chickens, ducks, geese and pigs roam a secure, well-maintained enclosure. Supervised feeding sessions allow children to interact safely with the animals, learning about rural livestock care in a relaxed environment. Keep an eye out for the resident donkeys, who are known for their friendly temperament and love of apples.

Teach Ceoil & Scéal Exhibition

Music has always been central to Irish community life, and the park’s Teach Ceoil (Music School) keeps that tradition alive. Run by the Moate branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the facility hosts regular music classes, set-dancing sessions and informal céilí gatherings. The adjacent Scéal Exhibition showcases the history of Irish music, song and storytelling, featuring historical instruments, photographs and archival recordings that trace the evolution of the local musical landscape.

Genealogy Centre

For those tracing family roots, the on-site Westmeath Genealogy Centre – run under the Irish Family History Foundation and the Moate branch of Comhaltas – provides research space and access to historic parish records, census data and land registries. Trained archivists offer guidance on navigating Irish genealogical resources; if you have Westmeath ancestry, it is worth contacting the centre ahead (genealogy@dunnasi.ie, +353 90 648 1183) so they can have material ready.

Amenity Park

Beyond the heritage structures, the free Amenity Park is the place to slow down. A network of trails leads through native woodland, past a turlough (a seasonal lake that fills and dries with the water table) and toward a quiet bird hide for wildlife watching. There is an enchanting Fairy Island and a sensory garden, along with public art: the Lough statue, which honours Lugh, god of sun and harvest, and sets a 4,000-year-old bog oak spear at its centre, and the Gráinne Óg sculpture by Ann Meldon Hugh. After a walk, head to Lillymay’s Café (formerly the Bastion Kitchen) for locally sourced lunches, coffee and cakes, with outdoor seating overlooking the playground and parkland.

Events & Seasonal Highlights

• Guided Heritage Tours – Local historians and volunteers lead scheduled walks through the reconstructed historic sites, usually available on Saturdays and during school holidays in the open season.
• Seasonal Workshops – Summer months bring a rotating schedule of craft demonstrations, traditional music tuition and storytelling sessions for children and adults.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

The Heritage Park operates daily during the open season. The Amenity Park is free and remains open year-round during daylight hours for independent walks, cycling and picnics.

Admission Fees

Heritage Park admission covers the outdoor trail, the museum and the pet farm. The Amenity Park is free; a flat €2 charge for the car park covers both parks. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance booth or in advance via the official website.

Accessibility & Facilities

• Wheelchair-accessible pathways connect the main heritage buildings, café and visitor centre, though some sections can be hard going in wet weather.
• Ramps and accessible toilets are available throughout the site.
• Baby-changing facilities are located in the visitor centre.
• Dogs are welcome in the Amenity Park but must be kept on a short lead. They are not permitted in the Heritage Park or near the animal enclosures.
• Paid on-site parking includes designated spaces for disabled vehicles.

Getting There

Dún na Sí is situated on the Old Rail Trail Greenway, making it easy to reach by bike or on foot from Moate town centre. By car, the park is approximately 75 minutes from Dublin and just over an hour from Galway. A flat €2 charge applies to the car park, covering both the Amenity and Heritage Parks. Public transport options include Bus Éireann services to Moate, followed by a short taxi journey (around 5 minutes) or a 2-kilometre walk along the N62 and Lake Road. Cyclists can reach the site directly via the greenway network.

Contact & More Information

• Website: https://dunnasi.ie
• Phone: +353 (0)90 648 1183
• Email: info@dunnasi.ie
• Address: Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, Lake Road, Knockdomny, Moate, Co Westmeath, N37 P271

Nearby Attractions

• Abbey Blooms Botanical Gardens – A 30-acre specialist garden featuring rare plants and historic structures, just a 15-minute drive north.
• Hill of Uisneach – The ancient ceremonial centre of Ireland, offering sweeping views and prehistoric monuments, located 20 km away.
• Fore – Home to the ruins of Fore Abbey and the local legend of the “Seven Wonders,” a 25-minute drive south.
• Athlone Castle – A well-preserved medieval fortress on the River Shannon, reachable in under an hour.

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive shortly after opening in April or May to enjoy quieter trails and secure spots on popular guided tours.
• Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes; some heritage paths feature gravel and uneven cobblestones.
• Bring a waterproof layer regardless of the forecast, as Westmeath weather can shift quickly.
• Check the official events calendar before travelling to align your visit with festivals, workshops or live music sessions.
• If you plan to visit multiple times during the season, the Family Membership offers excellent value with unlimited entry and discounted parking.

If you can, cycle in along the Old Rail Trail Greenway from Moate and leave the car behind – it is the most pleasant way to arrive, and it sidesteps the €2 car park charge entirely.