If you’re looking to get out and about with the kids, there’s nothing better than a day in fresh air exploring. Laois offers plenty of countryside to choose from, so we’ve rounded up unique places for great family walks in Laois that are perfect for a day out.
From village walks to mountains and woodlands, there are plenty of options for family-friendly walks in Laois. Pack a picnic and get set for a great family adventure!
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In this guide:
- Emo Court Park and Gardens
- Carrick Wood, Portarlington
- Togher Woods, Portlaoise
- Dunmore Wood, Durrow
- Rock of Dunamase
- Slieve Bloom Mountains
- Oughaval Wood, Stradbally
- Oisin House and Park, Killeshin
- Brittas Lake, Clonaslee
- Five more short walks in Laois
Get Out and Explore These Walks in Laois
Emo Court Park and Gardens
Emo Court Park & Gardens is a favourite with young and old. The park is the second largest in Ireland after Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Here you’ll find short and longer walks. As there’s a tarmac path through parts of the park, it’s both child- and buggy-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Children love to play in the garden area in front of the house and enjoy the walk down to the lake, where they can feed the ducks. In spring there are masses of snowdrops and daffodils to enjoy.
Entry to the park is free, and it’s open year-round during daylight hours — it’s worth checking current details before you set off, as these things can change.
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Carrick Wood, Portarlington
When travelling from Portarlington to Portlaoise (R419), after approximately 2.5km turn left, and the car park is about 2.5km down on the right-hand side.
This is a small site with a picnic area and forest walk, featuring a prominent local landmark, the 18th-century Spire. There’s a short walk up to the spire, and trees provide cover if the weather turns showery.
Keep an eye out for local fauna, including foxes, rabbits and many different bird species.
Togher Woods, Portlaoise
Togher Woods is a firm favourite with Portlaoise locals. Although privately owned, it’s Coillte-managed and provides a great local resource.
You’ll find the woods very close to the town, near the motorway junction on the Abbeyleix Road. Follow signs for the Rugby Club and take the first turn after the club.
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Dunmore Wood, Durrow
Dunmore Wood in Durrow is a Coillte biodiversity area and is designated a National Heritage Area/Special Area of Conservation.
Two rivers, the Gully and the Nore, flow through the property. The cellars of the old house still remain, and there are steps from the old house down to the River Nore.
Along the river path you’ll see a well belonging to the house and the old estate gates, as well as rabbits, badgers, foxes, native birds and fallow deer.
Rock of Dunamase
Image: Rock of Dunamase © Fáilte Ireland
This is a historic site, and the views from the top make the climb very worthwhile.
Take in the lookout views once used by the O’Moores to defend their territory from marauding armies. The O’Moores were eventually defeated and ejected from the site by the ancestors of Stradbally Hall, now home to Electric Picnic.
The site is suitable for young children who can run and walk, and they’ll love checking out the views through the various parts of the ruin. Be warned — the children will want to run ahead, and you might be slightly out of breath keeping up!
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Slieve Bloom Mountains
Glenbarrow is the source of the River Barrow, the second longest river in Ireland, and is one of the most scenic parts of the Slieve Bloom area with its waterfalls and steep valley.
The area has four way-marked trails, all starting at the car park and following the river for the first section. The trails may be too strenuous for little legs, but it’s possible to walk up to the waterfall and back to the car park, where there are picnic benches. The ground along the river can be wet and rough, so waterproof footwear is a good idea. Look out for hares, foxes, badgers, fallow deer and plenty of bird species.
Monicknew Bridge, through which the Glen River flows, is known locally as the Glen Bridge and is built in the style of a Roman arch. The sandstone bridge, dated 1840 on the keystone, is quite impressive when viewed from below on the riverside walk, standing 10m high from the riverbed. Fauna to watch for includes fallow deer, red and grey squirrel and foxes.
There’s a short loop from the car park down to the riverbank, under the Glen Bridge and back up to the car park. The grassy area by the river is a favourite with kids in summer, great for a picnic and a paddle.
The Cut is a few kilometres past Glen Monicknew and overlooks the valley of Glendineoregan, down into Clonaslee and over into County Offaly. It’s ideal for enjoying the view or having a picnic at the tables provided. The car park at the Cut also gives access to the adjoining forest of Glendineoregan. Watch out for wild goats and, in spring, masses of frogspawn!
Oughaval Wood, Stradbally
Oughaval Wood has a number of waymarked trails of varying length, so you can choose what works best for your child’s age and ability. There’s a mass rock on the shortest loop.
You’ll find the woods about a kilometre past Stradbally on the Carlow Road, on your left heading towards Carlow.
Oisin House and Park, Killeshin
Image: Views from Oisin Park © Carlow Tourism
Oisin Park is a volunteer-run facility, free to visit and open daily. In addition to walks with views across the Barrow Valley to the Blackstairs Mountains, there’s an enclosed children’s playground, a deck/viewing area, free parking and a picnic area. It’s worth checking current opening hours before your visit.
Brittas Lake, Clonaslee
Brittas Lake sits beside the village of Clonaslee, at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. There’s a car park near the lake, so it’s easy to take children on a short walk around it, and picnic benches are provided.
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Short Walks in Laois
- The People’s Park, Timahoe Road, Portlaoise — perfect for toddlers, with a playground catering for 1–8 year olds.
- The River Triogue Park, Portlaoise — great for a short walk beside the Togher river.
- The pond near Stradbally village — an angling centre with a short walk around the pond and picnic benches for a rest stop.
- Mountrath village — start at the bridge on the Limerick side and take a short stroll along the banks of the White Horse River.
- Capponellan Wood, just 1.5km south of Durrow — originally part of the Castle Durrow estate, found on the N8 Dublin to Cork road.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these walks is best for young children or buggies?
Emo Court Park and Gardens is the most buggy- and toddler-friendly option, thanks to its tarmac paths. Oisin Park’s viewing areas and shorter loops in Oughaval Wood are also good choices for little legs.
Are these walks free to visit?
Most of the walks and woods listed — including Emo Court, Togher Woods, Dunmore Wood, Oughaval Wood, Brittas Lake and Oisin Park — are free to visit. It’s always worth checking current details for any site before you travel.
Do I need waterproof footwear?
For the Slieve Bloom Mountains walks in particular, the ground along the rivers can be wet and rough, so waterproof footwear is a good idea. Sturdy shoes are sensible for most of the woodland walks too.
Is the Rock of Dunamase suitable for children?
Yes — it’s a popular family spot. Children who can walk and run comfortably will enjoy exploring the ruins and the views, though the climb and uneven ground mean it’s best for children past the toddling stage.
What should we bring for a family walk in Laois?
A picnic, comfortable footwear, and a rain jacket are good basics, since several of these spots have limited shelter. Many locations mentioned above have picnic benches or grassy spots ideal for a stop along the way.
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