Avondale House & Forest Park
Avondale was the ancestral home of Charles Stewart Parnell, the 19th-century Irish political leader. The 500-acre estate became Ireland's first forestry reserve in 1904 and is the birthplace of modern Irish forestry education.
History
The Georgian house was built in 1777 for Samuel Hayes — a pioneering forester who planted the estate with experimental tree species from around the world. Parnell was born at Avondale in 1846 and lived here until his death in 1891. The Irish government acquired the estate in 1904 and opened Ireland's first forestry school on the grounds — many trees in the arboretum today are over 200 years old.
What to see
The Beyond the Trees Avondale attraction (opened 2022) includes a 38-metre viewing tower with panoramic views across the Vale of Clara, and a 1.4 km treetop walkway that winds through the upper canopy of the forest. At ground level, the Avondale House museum covers Parnell's life and politics, and 7 signposted forest trails range from a 1 km loop to the 7 km Pine Forest Trail.
Admission & hours
Beyond the Trees adult ticket is around €18 (book online, time-slotted). The forest trails themselves are free if you park outside the pay-to-enter zone. House museum is included with Beyond the Trees admission. Open year-round except Christmas week.
Official website: beyondthetreesavondale.com