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One of those sites is Cavan Burren Park where a mythical and archaeological landscape of monuments, megalithic tombs, hut sites and pre-bog walls awaits. The excellent Interpretative Centre on site offers plenty of information about the archaeological, geological, and cultural history of the Park.
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Discover the Gothic architecture at Tullynally Castle in Westmeath or re-enact the life of a soldier in Cavan County Museum’s World War One Trench Experience. You can tour a working distillery and savour some refreshing Irish gin or whiskey at the Shed Distillery or grab a bite to eat in Carrick-on-Shannon, known for its nightlife and hospitality. Marvel at the beautiful stained glass windows in St. Mel’s Cathedral in Longford or pick up some unique gifts crafted from bogwood at Celtic Roots Studio near Athlone.
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S IN and the Located in the rugged, mountainous uplands AH SN S gentle rolling lowlands of counties Fermanagh and RO Cavan, this UNESCO recognised Global Geopark presents some of the finest landscapes on the island of Ireland. There is plenty of variety on offer in Cavan’s share of this magnificent Geopark, including scenic viewpoints, lakes, waterfalls, walking trails and historical sites.
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Explore the cathedral, high crosses, churches and round towers at Clonmacnoise or roam through the ruins of a 7th century monastery at Fore Abbey, where you’ll find The Seven Wonders of Fore, including The Water that Flows Uphill and The Tree that won’t Burn.
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www.hottubboat.ie Hot tub boat cruise on Lough Ree. Coosan Point, County Westmeath.
N62/R444 Clonmacnoise (24km)
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands showcases some of the most important nature reserves in Ireland. A nature reserve is an area of importance to wildlife which is protected under Ministerial order.
Wander around the walled garden at The National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, or visit the magnificent King House, a Georgian mansion that was once a military barracks to the Connaught Rangers. At Belvedere House Gardens & Park, you’ll find an enchanted glen and Ireland’s largest folly. Pop on your hiking boots and discover the perfectly preserved glacial erratics and megalithic tombs along the hiking trails in Cavan Burren Park or trek through 118km of wilderness along the Miner’s Way & Historical Trail.
Visitors can explore and enjoy some of these wonderful places which are managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Roscommon
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands showcases some of the best outdoor recreation sites in the country, thanks to the many forest parks and trails managed by Coillte, our State Forestry Company. In the Upper region of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, visitors can explore and enjoy some wonderful, lush forests, wild bogs and scenic countryside with numerous marked walking trails of varying length.
Leitrim
Roscommon
• Derrycarne Wood
• Derryvunny Forest
• Glenfarne Wood
• Knockranny Wood
Cavan • Bailieborough Forest • Bawnboy • Cavan Burren Park • Deerpark Forest • Dún a Rí Forest Park • Killykeen Forest Park
For personalised advice and information, talk to us or visit us online!
Two sites of particular interest in the Upper region of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands are Scragh Bog Nature Reserve in County Westmeath and Clara Bog Nature Reserve in County Offaly.
© Fáilte Ireland
Coillte Forest Parks & Trails
Discover more in the Lower Heartlands, grab a map & go explore!
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Delve into Irish folklore at the sacred Hill of Uisneach, the resting place of gods and the entrance into Míde, the fabled fifth province of Ireland. Explore the legendary burial place of Queen Maeve at Knockma Hill in Tuam, or learn how the majestic River Shannon earned its name at the Shannon Pot.
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National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS)
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (Upper) stretches over Cavan, Leitrim, Longford, Roscommon, Westmeath and parts of Galway and Offaly.
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Horse Riding www.gohorseridinginireland.ie
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Zip through the trees at Lough Key Forest Park in Roscommon and team up to beat the quests at Boda Borg. Grab a canoe and paddle out to Clough Oughter Castle with Cavan Adventure Centre or try stand up paddle boarding on the serene Lough Allen with Slow Adventure Ireland.
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Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands offer an enchanting oasis of parklands and loughs, outdoor fun and aquatic adventures. These inland counties are united by their proximity to Ireland’s longest river, the picturesque River Shannon which acts as the backbone and spirit of the region. There is a never ending list of things to see and do, and a treasure trove of fond memories waiting to be made along the water. Here, you can take your time and reconnect with nature in this tranquil unspoiled region. Escape the stresses of everyday life in the peaceful parklands, majestic castles and monastic sites or release your worries with adrenaline-filled mountain-biking and water sports aplenty. Discover the abundance of charming towns and meet the vibrant communities who channel the energy of the Shannon in their stories, music, food and art. No matter what type of adventure you’re after, you’ll find something truly magical off the beaten track.
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Cycling www.cyclingireland.ie
www.rocknbowl.ie Multi-activity family entertainment centre. Mullingar, County Westmeath.
www.planetathlone.ie Multi-activity family entertainment centre. Athlone, County Westmeath.
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www.barracudaboattrips.com Boat trips on River Shannon & Lough Ree. Athlone, County Westmeath.
Please check with operators for opening arrangements before visiting.
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www.athloneguidedtours.ie Guided walking tours. Athlone, County Westmeath.
More information: www.bearabreifneway.ie
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www.loughreeboattrips.com Wheelchair accessible boat trips on Lough Ree. Lanesboro, County Roscommon.
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• Miner’s Way & Historical Trail (118km) • Leitrim Way (27km) • Cavan Way (26km)
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Discovering Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (Upper)
www.andeanalpacas.ie Alpaca experience. Mullingar, County Westmeath.
Mollie Moo’s
www.molliemoos.ie Family fun, farm activities. Tudenham, Mullingar, County Westmeath.
• Hymany Way (80km) • Suck Valley Way (105km) NK • Lough Gara Way (45km)
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Find us on Facebook Kayak trips. Ballymahon, County Longford.
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www.loughreecruisers.com Cruise hire on River Shannon. Glasson, County Westmeath.
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46 Zipit Forest Adventures www.zipit.ie VE R G R High wire forest adventure park. GE EA L AL Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, County Roscommon.
www.loughkeyboats.com Boat tours on Lough Key. Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, County Roscommon.
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www.shannon-river.com Boat hire on the river Shannon. Rooskey, County Roscommon.
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www.moonriver.ie Cruise on River Shannon. Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.
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Find us on Facebook Go-karting, paintball. Edgeworthstown, County Longford.
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Find us on Facebook Archery, clay shooting, riding. Boyle, County Roscommon.
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• Lough Key Forest Park • Mote Park • Oakport / Bluebell Wood • Sliabh Bawn
Galway • Aghrane Forest • Monivea Wood • Mountbellew Forest Park
More information: www.npws.ie
Mullaghmeen Forest, Co. Westmeath © Westmeath County Council
Bogs
Tourist Information Centres: Athlone, Athlone Civic Centre, N37 DN02.* Mullingar, Market Square, N91 PW95.*
Our bogs are home to a dazzling array of wildlife, from frogs and giant water-walking spiders to rare birds, including the beautiful curve-beaked curlew. Today, healthy bogs are quite rare with just 1% remaining active, growing and living as they should. Most of these living bogs can be found here in the Hidden Heartlands where a lot of conservation work is being done to restore these fascinating places. Why not visit one to find out what you can do to help our bogs (and our planet) survive and thrive!
Leave No Trace, Love This Place Across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands there are thousands of kilometres of tracks and trails to enjoy - from a walk under the leafy canopies in a forest park, to cycling along the banks of the Royal or Grand Canals.
• Corlea Bog and Trackway Visitor Centre, Kenagh, Co. Longford
We are committed to the Leave No Trace Principles and believe by working together, we can all make a difference to reduce the pressure points on our environment. So as you get out and about in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands show that you Love This Place by following the Leave No Trace principles:
• Carrowbehy Bog SAC, Gorthaganny, Co. Roscommon
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare 2. Be Considerate of Others
5. Leave What You Find
3. Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
6. Dispose of Waste Properly
Bogs to visit in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (Upper) include:
+353 1 2655 634 / 1800 230 330
4. Travel and Camp Responsibly
Longford
Westmeath
• Cloonlarge Bog, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon
• Derrycassen Wood
• Mullaghmeen Forest
• Newcastle Wood
Offaly
• ‘Galway’s Living Bog’, Carrownagappul Bog SAC, Mountbellew, Co. Galway
• Durrow Abbey Forest
• Clara Bog Nature Reserve, Clara, Co. Offaly
Practising a Leave No Trace ethic is very simple: make it hard for others to see or hear you and LEAVE NO TRACE of your visit.
More information: www.raisedbogs.ie
More information: www.leavenotraceireland.org
More information: www.coillte.ie
*(operates seasonally)
DiscoverIreland.ie
7. Protect Nature from Fire Corlea Trackway, Co. Longford © Fáilte Ireland
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www.lilliputadventure.com Kayaking, rock climbing, archery, hill walking, abseiling. Mullingar, County Westmeath.
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This long distance walking and cycling trail follows the fourteen-day march taken by Dónal Cam O’Sullivan Beare AT T and 1,000 supporters in 1603. The Way, the longest in YFINLA Y Ireland, runs almost the length of the country and takes the walker and cyclist to some of its most beautiful and least explored areas; along the coast of the Beara Peninsula, across six mountain ranges, along the banks of the River Shannon and through the lake regions of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The following trails can be explored as part of the Beara-Breifne Way in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (Upper):
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www.silverbearcentre.ie 07 Lough Allen Adventure Build a bear, teddy bear hospital. Bawnboy, County Cavan. www.loughallenadventure.ie Stand up paddle boarding, kayak tours. Drumshanbo, County Leitrim.
www.midlandscyclehub.ie Cycling tours of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Cloondara, County Longford.
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www.glendeerpetfarm.ie Pet farm, family activities. Athlone, County Roscommon.
www.shannonriveradventure.com Kayaking, canoeing, archery, mudslide, climbing wall. Rooskey, County Roscommon.
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www.ramorwatersportsclub.ie Accessible boat tours. Sailing, water skiing, windsurfing. Virginia, County Cavan.
www.inventure.ie Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, raft building. Athlone, County Westmeath.
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www.longfordmegabowl.com Bowling, soft play, quasar, pool & arcade. Longford, County Longford.
www.baysports.ie Inflatable waterpark & water activities. Athlone, County Roscommon.
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www.hiddenheartlandstours.ie Boat tours & water taxi. Athlone, County Westmeath.
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Find us on Facebook Bowling, soft play zone, sports hall. Roscommon Town.
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www.ericasfairyforest.com Themed forest trails with various activities & events. Cootehill, County Cavan.
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Cavan Burren Park, Co. Cavan © Tony Pleavin
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06 Glencar Alpacas Find us on Facebook Alpaca walks and tours overlooking Glencar Valley. Glencar, County Leitrim.
Erica’s Fairy Forest
www.mariaedgeworthcenter.com Literary themed guided walk. Edgeworthstown, County Longford.
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www.emeraldstar.ie Cruising on River Shannon. Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.
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www.discoverireland.ie Guided walking tours. Athlone, County Westmeath.
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www.cavanadventure.ie Canoeing, kayaking, inflatable waterpark, e-bike tours. Inishmore, Butlers Bridge, County Cavan.
www.creativeardagh.blogspot.com 26 Elevate Entertainment Hands-on workshops in a range of Centre arts & crafts. www.elevateathlone.ie Ardagh, County Longford. Go karting, laser tag, VR. Athlone, County Westmeath. 18 Edgeworth Literary
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www.electricbiketrails.ie Electric bike hire. Leitrim Village, County Leitrim.
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Creative Ardagh
www.derrymoresprings.ie Kayaking, fishing, aqua golf, aqua waterpark. Killucan, County Westmeath.
www.vikingtoursireland.ie Nature cruise with Viking & religious history. Athlone, County Westmeath.
42 P Macs Kayaks www.pmacskayaks.ie Tailored kayaking sessions. Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, County Roscommon.
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Water Adventure Centre
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www.carrickquads.com Quad biking adventures & clay pigeon shooting. Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.
www.slowadventure.ie Activity experiences. Various locations, County Leitrim.
www.fionaegan.com Farm tours, cookery demos. Abbeyshrule, County Longford.
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Cloughan Farm & Cookery School
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www.muddysoulsadventures.com 01 Adventure Gently Guided walking, hiking tours. www.adventuregentlyireland.com Various locations, County Leitrim. Canoe tours. 10 Slow Adventure Dromahair, County Leitrim.
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www.carrickcraft.com Cruising on River Shannon. Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.
© Fáilte Ireland
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Killykeen Forest Park, Co. Cavan
Acres Lake Floating Boardwalk, Co. Leitrim
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Activities & Adventure Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (Upper)