Overview
Killykeen Forest Park covers roughly 240 ha (about 600 acres) of mixed woodland on the shores of Lough Oughter, part of the River Erne system in north‑west County Cavan. The park lies about eight kilometres north‑west of Cavan town, midway between Cavan and Killeshandra, and is accessed via the R198. Managed jointly by Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the area enjoys EU protection as both a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA), safeguarding its rich birdlife and aquatic habitats.
The forest is dominated by fast‑growing Norway and Sitka spruce, but interspersed throughout are native ash, oak and beech stands, creating a varied canopy that supports pine martens, red squirrels and wintering waterfowl such as mallard, tufted duck and wigeon.
History & Heritage
While the woodland itself is a product of 20th‑century commercial forestry, the surrounding landscape bears deep historical layers. Lough Oughter is dotted with crannógs – ancient artificial islands that once served as fortified dwellings. The most striking of these is the island that hosts Clough Oughter Castle, a 13th‑century circular tower that later functioned as a prison and rebel stronghold before being destroyed in 1653. The castle remains a striking silhouette on the lake, reachable by canoe trips run from the nearby Cavan Adventure Centre.
A megalithic court tomb on the Gortanoul peninsula adds a prehistoric dimension to the park, offering a tangible link to the early inhabitants of the Cavan Lakelands.
What to See & Do
Walking & Cycling Trails
Killykeen boasts a network of sign‑posted trails catering to all abilities. Way‑marking colours are used throughout: white for the Nature Trail, orange for the Access for All Trail, and blue for the Gartanoul routes. The table below summarises the main routes:
| Trail | Length | Grade | Terrain | Wheelchair‑accessible | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature Trail | 3 km (2 mi) | Easy | Forest track | Yes | Lakeside views, pine‑marten sightings, glimpse of Clough Oughter Castle |
| Access for All Trail | 0.5 km (0.3 mi) | Multi‑access | Smooth forest track | Yes | Ideal for families with prams or mobility aids |
| Gartanoul Shore Trail | 2 km (1 mi) | Easy | Forest track | Yes | Linear walk along Lough Oughter’s edge, water‑fowl watching |
| Gartanoul Loop Trail | 4.5 km (3 mi) | Moderate | Forest track | Yes | Circular route with broader lake panoramas, chance to spot red squirrels |
| Family Cycle Trail | 3 km (2 mi) | Easy | Forest track | No | Dedicated cycle path linking the Cavan‑side car park to the Killeshandra side via a footbridge |
All routes are well‑maintained and feature interpretation panels that explain the local flora, fauna and heritage.
Water‑Based Activities
Lough Oughter is a renowned coarse‑fishing lake, with pike, bream and perch forming the main catches. Anglers can launch from the designated boat‑park or hire a canoe during the summer months. Canoe excursions also provide the only practical means of reaching Clough Oughter Castle for a close‑up view.
Boating, wind‑surfing and paddle‑boarding are popular in the warmer months, with hire facilities available on‑site via the park’s coffee kiosk and the nearby Cavan Adventure Centre.
Birdwatching & Wildlife
The SAC/SPA status of the lake complex attracts a wealth of birdlife, especially during winter when wigeon, pochard and other migratory species gather. The mixed woodland supports mammals such as stoats, badgers, foxes, grey squirrels and the occasional hedgehog.
Heritage Exploration
Guided walks occasionally include visits to the Gortanoul court tomb and a brief stop at the foot of Clough Oughter Castle, allowing visitors to combine natural scenery with a touch of medieval intrigue.
Community Events
Killykeen Forest Park has become a focal point for local community gatherings. In May 2025 the park hosted its first Street Feast, organised by the Killykeen Conservation Group in partnership with StreetFeast.ie. The event featured live traditional music, storytelling, children’s activities and food stalls on the “beach” area of the Killeshandra‑side footbridge.
Earlier that year a Winter Solstice celebration was held, drawing families for a night of fire‑lit storytelling and music. Both events underline the park’s role as a social hub as well as a natural amenity.
Recent Improvements & Visitor Numbers
The park was the seventh‑most visited Coillte site in 2022, recording 87,139 visitors. Following the strong demand, a €144,000 investment announced in 2023 resurfaced the main car park on the Cavan side, improving drainage and parking space layout.
These upgrades are part of the wider €3 million Rural Future funding programme announced by Minister Heather Humphreys in June 2023, which earmarked resources for trail maintenance, car‑park enhancements and new ecotrails across Irish forest parks, including Killykeen.
Practical Information
Killykeen Forest Park is free to enter and offers two main car parks – one on the Cavan side and another on the Killeshandra side – linked by a unique footbridge that spans Lough Oughter. Both car parks provide standard parking spaces and are sign‑posted from the R198.
Facilities on site include picnic tables, public toilets, a coffee kiosk (open daily in summer months), interpretation panels and, in the summer, bike and canoe hire. A downloadable PDF map (available from the Coillte website) details all trails, parking areas and points of interest.
Getting there: From Cavan town, follow the R198 north‑west for about 8 km; the park entrance is clearly marked. Visitors arriving from Killeshandra can use the same road in the opposite direction. Coordinates 54.0067003, ‑7.4681337 work in any GPS device.
Dog policy: Dogs are welcome on the trails but must be kept under control and owners are required to dispose of waste in the provided bins.
Accessibility: Several trails are wheelchair‑accessible, notably the Nature Trail, Access for All Trail, Gartanoul Shore Trail and Gartanoul Loop Trail. The footbridge is level‑gradient, making it usable for most mobility aids.
Contact & Further Details: For the most up‑to‑date information on trail conditions, hire services and special events, consult the official Coillte page or call the park office at +353 71 985 3692.
Facilities & Amenities
- Playground: A small, fenced playground near the Cavan‑side car park provides a safe space for younger children.
- Camping: A modest, low‑impact camping area is available on a first‑come‑first‑served basis, allowing visitors to stay overnight and experience the lake at dawn.
- Footbridge: The footbridge linking the two car parks is level‑gradient and suitable for wheelchairs, prams and cyclists.
- Seasonal Café: The on‑site coffee kiosk operates mainly from May to September; outside these months the kiosk is closed but the picnic areas remain open.
- Map & Signage: Interpretation panels and a printed trail map are positioned at both entrances; a digital PDF can be downloaded from the Coillte site.
Seasonal Highlights
- Winter (Nov‑Feb): Over‑wintering waterfowl such as wigeon, pochard and teal. Quiet walks are ideal for birdwatching.
- Spring (Mar‑May): New foliage, blooming wildflowers, active red squirrels and receding water levels that reveal more crannóg islands.
- Summer (Jun‑Aug): Peak water‑sports season; canoe, paddle‑board and wind‑surf hire. Coffee kiosk operates daily; family cycle trail sees heavy use.
- Autumn (Sep‑Oct): Golden leaves provide striking backdrops for photography; early migratory birds arrive.
Nearby Attractions
The park sits close to other Cavan highlights, making it an ideal base for a broader exploration of the region:
- Clough Oughter Castle – the medieval island fortress reachable by canoe.
- Cavan Adventure Centre – offers canoe and kayaking hire, plus adventure activities.
- Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark – the wider geopark that encompasses the lake system.
- Annagh Lake – another scenic lake popular for swimming and angling.
- Cavan Burren Park – nearby woodland with dolmen trail and wedge tombs.
- Cavan County Museum – houses the Killycluggin Stone and other local artefacts.
Killykeen Forest Park provides a blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and heritage that can easily fill a day or form part of a multi‑day itinerary exploring County Cavan’s lakelands.