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Lough Key Forest & Activity Park in Boyle, Co Roscommon, is a giant playground for families of all ages. With vast woodlands, 8km of traffic-free trails, islands, a lake, zip lines to speed along, and tunnels and towers to explore, you really will be spoiled for choice.
Here are some of the more unusual activities and things to do at Lough Key Forest Park — perfect for a family day out, whatever the weather.
You may also enjoy: New Adventures at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park for Families to Enjoy
Things to Do at Lough Key
Puzzle Your Way Through Boda Borg
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The weather-independent Boda Borg is open year-round and offers visitors aged 7+ two hours of puzzling fun. It’s a Swedish concept, and remains one of very few of its kind in Ireland.
Challenge members of your group to different tasks and see how many you can complete in the time allowed. Be warned — there are no clues, so you’ll need to use all your skills to come out victorious!
Check out what one family thought of Boda Borg.
Take a Trip Underground
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On the Rockingham Remembered Tour, you walk through the old servant tunnels that once ran under Rockingham House. The house stood where the Moylurg Tower now stands — it was one of the largest mansions in the Boyle area, designed by architect John Nash in 1809/10, and home to the King family and their large household of servants.
The house itself was destroyed by fire in 1957, but the servant tunnels survived and have been preserved for visitors to explore. A self-guided audio tour fills you in on the history as you go.
Walk Through Tree Tops
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Get a bird’s-eye view of the estate on the unique Tree Canopy Walkway at Lough Key.
The 300m timber-and-steel walkway rises gently 9m above the woodland floor, offering fantastic views over the estate, lake and surrounding countryside. It’s fully enclosed and flat, so it’s suitable for buggies or for little ones who like to run ahead.
Enjoy the Water
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There’s plenty of ways to enjoy the water at Lough Key:
- P Mac Kayaks offer tailor-made kayaking sessions, fun for all ages.
- You can swim off the jetty at the park.
- Hire an 18-foot rowing boat by the hour to explore the surrounding islands at your own pace.
- Join a Lough Key Boat Tour with the Walsh/McGreevy family — an hour of relaxing on the water, meeting new people and hearing interesting stories about the lake on a professionally guided tour.
Find out more about Lough Key water fun here.
Find the Fairy Bridge
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Take a woodland tour to enjoy the best of Lough Key’s outdoors — there are plenty of marked trails suitable for walking or cycling, and electric bikes are available to hire too.
Be sure to cross the Fairy Bridge, made up of unusual, intricate limestone shapes — so delicate that legend has it only fairies could have created them. Then make your way through Cedar Grove, which feels like a scene straight out of Jurassic Park.
Test Your Orienteering Skills
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Test your outdoor orienteering skills using detailed maps to plan routes, navigate different terrain and visit control points in sequence. The routes were designed in conjunction with Coillte, with options for beginners and more experienced navigators.
Wheel-O gives visitors with limited mobility the chance to take part in orienteering too, on safe, specially designed trails.
Have a High Ropes Adventure
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Zipit Forest Adventures at Lough Key offers 1.6km of high ropes treetop activities suitable for a wide range of ages, heights and abilities — best suited to those aged 7 and up.
In total there are 88 activities connected by zip wires running between platforms set at heights from 1m to 10m. Participants get four hours to complete the circuits and enjoy some exhilarating gliding through the trees.
Climb a Tower
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The Moylurg Viewing Tower can be spotted for miles around and offers panoramic views across the Lough Key estate. Climb the staircase to the top and take in the layout of the estate as it would have looked when Rockingham House still stood.
You’ll also get fantastic views towards Castle Island, and sharp-eyed visitors may spot the folly built on the original site of the residence of the McDermotts, who ruled the area in the 17th century.
Sleep Under the Stars at Lough Key
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The Lough Key Caravan and Camping Park has 51 landscaped, secluded pitches with electricity points, plus large areas for tents. There’s a recreational block with indoor space for games or dining, a shower block with bathrooms and a small cooking area, and a laundry room.
Why not stay the night, sleep under the stars, and wake up ready for even more fun the next day?
You may also enjoy: Download Your Free Family Camping Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Boda Borg suitable for?
Boda Borg at Lough Key is recommended for visitors aged 7 and up, with sessions lasting two hours.
Is Zipit Forest Adventures suitable for young children?
Zipit’s high ropes course is designed for a range of ages and abilities, but it’s best suited to children aged 7 and older, given the heights and physical challenges involved.
Is the Tree Canopy Walkway buggy-friendly?
Yes — the walkway is fully enclosed and flat, making it suitable for buggies as well as younger children who like to explore at their own pace.
Can we camp overnight at Lough Key?
Yes, the Lough Key Caravan and Camping Park has pitches for tents and caravans, along with shower, cooking and laundry facilities, so you can turn your visit into an overnight stay.
Are the woodland trails suitable for cycling as well as walking?
Yes, the marked trails at Lough Key can be explored on foot or by bike, and electric bikes are available to hire on-site.
Related Articles
- New Adventures at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park for Families to Enjoy
- One Family’s Boda Borg Adventure at Lough Key
- Free Family Camping Checklist
- More Great Days Out in Roscommon and the Northwest
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