Overview
A local voluntary committee bought Hollywood Lake and the woodland around it in 1969, and it has been free to visit ever since – no charge, no booking, no ticket office. The park sits between the villages of Scotstown and Ballinode, about seven kilometres north-west of Monaghan town, and it’s run and maintained by that same community effort today.
It’s a modest, well-kept spot rather than a big attraction, and that’s the appeal. Families come for the swimming and the fenced playground; walkers take the paths around the water. Reckon on one to three hours here – enough for a swim and a full circuit of the lake, not a full day out.
The crannog
The one genuinely old thing here is out in the water: the remains of a crannog, an artificial island built by driving timber piles into the lakebed and heaping stone and earth on top. Before 1650, when the lake was still called Slack’s Lough, this was the headquarters of Patrick Mac Art Moyle MacMahon, a chieftain of the MacMahon clan, who ruled much of this territory.
Crannogs were defended homesteads as much as fortresses – seasonal residences and seats of local authority. Manage your expectations, though: this is a low mound off the shore, not a reconstructed exhibit you can walk out to, and there’s not much on-site interpretation. Half the interest is knowing what you’re looking at.
What to see & do
A network of well-marked paths circles the lake through mixed woodland and open grassland, on gentle gradients that suit casual walkers, dogs and buggies.
- Swimming & water activities – There’s a designated swimming area, at its best in summer, which makes this one of the few Monaghan lakes with a proper marked spot to get in (see swimming in Ireland’s lakes). Boating and fishing are allowed, but craft must be non-motorised to protect the lake.
- Nature & wildlife – Reed beds and mature trees ring the shoreline and hold the usual lakeside birdlife. Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times for it.
- Playground & family facilities – A fully fenced play area is aimed at children aged two to twelve, laid out so parents can keep an eye on things from the lakeside.
- Picnicking – Wooden tables and benches sit along the shore, many facing the water, with open grass behind for spreading out.
Facilities & accessibility
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Parking | Free on-site car park, signposted off the Ballinode-to-Scotstown road |
| Toilets | Standard and disabled-access toilets, maintained by the park committee |
| Playground | Fully fenced, aimed at children aged 2–12 |
| Disabled access | Level pathways linking the car park to picnic areas, toilets and the lakeshore |
| Water | Swimming, non-motorised boating, fishing |
| Picnic areas | Tables and benches along the shoreline |
Practical information
Hollywood Lake is open during daylight hours, free, with no seasonal closure. The swimming area is best between June and September, when the water is warmest. Anglers should check current licence requirements with Inland Fisheries Ireland before casting.
Getting there – From Monaghan town, take the R185 north-west for about seven kilometres, then follow the signposted turn for Hollywood Forest Park. It’s roughly a ten-minute drive. For sat-nav, use 54.26136, -7.06963, or plot a route via Google Maps.
Visitor tips
- There are no changing facilities, so bring a towel and a waterproof bag for swimming days.
- Some woodland sections stay damp after rain – wear sturdy footwear.
- The park runs on community goodwill, so take your litter home and keep dogs under control near the water.
Exploring further in County Monaghan
A short drive north leads to Dartrey Forest, with walking trails around the ruins of a Victorian estate. To the east, Inniskeen has a round tower and the Patrick Kavanagh Centre. South, Castleblayney and Rossmore Forest Park add more lakeside walks.
Come early on a warm summer weekend if you want a good picnic spot by the water – there’s no café, so bring what you need, and give yourself time to walk the full circuit of the lake.