Family walks are one of the easiest ways to get outdoors with the kids, whether you’re after a short buggy-friendly stroll or a longer adventure with older children. Roscommon has some wonderful spots to explore as a family, so there’s sure to be something to suit everyone. Spot wildlife, feed the ducks, gather leaves and acorns, or pack a picnic — here are our favourite places for great family walks in Roscommon.
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Family Walks in Roscommon
Lough Key Forest Park
Lough Key Forest Park is a firm favourite for a family wander. It’s buggy friendly and has a restaurant and changing facilities on site, making it easy to spend a full day here. There’s an adventure play kingdom in the grounds of the old Rockingham estate, plus a tree canopy walk and the atmospheric old servants’ tunnels to explore.
With 8km of traffic-free trails, Lough Key has a range of walking trails graded to suit all abilities, from short family loops to longer walks.
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Loughnaneane Park
Loughnaneane Park is a 14-acre recreational area just outside Roscommon town, bordered by the ruins of Roscommon Castle — a dramatic 13th-century Norman castle that’s well worth a look on your way round.
The park includes a crannog known locally as the Hill o’ Bones, a wildflower meadow, a bird walk, a lake feature, mounds to explore, a children’s playground and car parking.
Kilronan Castle
With more than 40 acres of beautiful landscape, the walks through Kilronan Forest lead you from the castle down to the shore of Lough Meelagh. Along the way you’ll take in lovely woodland and lakeside views — a peaceful spot for a family walk at any time of year.
Lough Errit
These gentle walks follow the tranquil shores of Lough Errit and wind through local woodland and bogland. The route takes in the Lough Errit amenity area, which has a slipway, bathing area, car park and boat house on its shores.
Castlerea Demesne
This looped walk around Castlerea Demesne Parkland gives you a great chance to spot woodland wildlife — and if you look carefully, you might even spot the fairy village said to be home to Castlerea’s magical folk!
For families who want to go a bit further, there’s the option to continue on to the woodlands at Clonalis House, once home to the High Kings of Ireland.
Boyle Historic Town Walk
This walk through historic Boyle starts at the 18th-century King House and takes in Boyle Abbey, along with other stops including Frybrook House and the Shambles. Keep an eye out for Boyle’s 12th-century bridge, one of the oldest in Ireland — a great talking point for curious kids.
Trails in Lecarrow
The name Rindoon (in Irish rinn duin) means a fortified headland. The Rindoon Peninsula extends into Lough Ree, roughly in the centre of Ireland, and makes for a scenic family walk.
There are two Rinn Duin trails in Lecarrow, 3km and 4.5km long, both graded easy and suitable for all abilities. The loops are marked in blue and green and start at St John’s House.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these Roscommon walks suitable for buggies?
Several of the walks, including Lough Key Forest Park and Loughnaneane Park, have buggy-friendly paths. Others, like the woodland trails at Kilronan Castle and Lough Errit, may be better suited to older toddlers and children on foot, as surfaces can be uneven.
Which walk is best for younger children?
Loughnaneane Park and Lough Key Forest Park are both good choices for younger children, thanks to their shorter, well-maintained paths and nearby playgrounds.
Are there facilities like toilets or cafés along these walks?
Lough Key Forest Park has a restaurant and changing facilities on site. Facilities at the other locations are more limited, so it’s worth planning ahead, especially for longer walks.
Do I need to book in advance to walk these trails?
No booking is needed to enjoy any of these walks — they’re free, public trails you can visit any time.
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- Best Outdoor Places in Roscommon for Families
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