Family walks are one of the easiest ways to get outdoors with the kids, whether you’re after a short buggy-friendly stroll with a toddler or a bigger adventure with older children. Roscommon has a lovely mix of forest parks, lakeside trails and historic town walks to choose from, so there’s something to suit every family. Bring a picnic, keep an eye out for wildlife, or gather a few leaves and acorns along the way — here are 7 great places for 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, so it’s an easy option even with little ones in tow. Older kids will love the adventure play kingdom in the grounds of the old Rockingham estate, the tree canopy walk, and the spooky old servants’ tunnels. It’s also home to Ireland’s only Boda Borg — a puzzle-room adventure a bit like a Swedish version of The Crystal Maze.
With 8km of traffic-free trails, there are several walking trails at Lough Key graded to suit all abilities, from gentle strolls to longer routes for confident walkers.
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Loughnaneane Park
Loughnaneane Park is a 14-acre recreational area just outside Roscommon town, bordered by the atmospheric ruins of Roscommon Castle, a dramatic 13th-century Norman castle.
The park includes a crannog known locally as the Hill o’ Bones, a wildflower meadow, a bird walk, a lake feature, grassy mounds, a children’s playground and car parking — plenty to explore in one visit.
Kilronan Castle
With more than 40 acres of beautiful landscape, the walks through Kilronan Forest take you from the castle down to the shore of Lough Meelagh. Expect lovely views over woodland and lakeside scenery along the way.
Lough Errit
These peaceful walks follow the tranquil shores of Lough Errit and wind through local woodland and bog. 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
Image: Courtesy of Stephen Duffy © Fáilte Ireland/Tourism Ireland
This looped walk around the Castlerea Demesne parkland gives you a good chance of spotting woodland wildlife — and, if you look closely, you might even find the fairy village said to be home to Castlerea’s magical folk.
For those who want to go 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 begins at the 18th-century King House and takes in Boyle Abbey, along with other stops including Frybrook House and the Shambles. Boyle’s 12th-century bridge is one of the oldest in Ireland, making this a great way to combine a walk with a bit of local history.
Trails in Lecarrow
The name Rindoon (in Irish, rinn duin) means a fortified headland. The Rindoon Peninsula in County Roscommon extends into Lough Ree, roughly in the centre of Ireland.
There are two Rinn Duin trails in Lecarrow, 3km and 4.5km long, both graded easy to suit 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 walks suitable for buggies and toddlers?
Several are. Lough Key Forest Park is buggy-friendly, and looped trails like Castlerea Demesne and the Rindoon Peninsula routes are graded easy, so they suit families with younger children too. Boyle’s historic town walk involves pavements and steps, so it’s worth checking the terrain if you’re pushing a buggy.
Is there anywhere to eat or take a break along the way?
Lough Key Forest Park has an onsite restaurant and changing facilities, making it a handy stop if little legs (or tummies) need a break. For the other walks, it’s a good idea to pack a picnic or some snacks, as facilities are more limited.
Which walk is best for older kids looking for adventure?
Lough Key Forest Park is a great choice, with its adventure play kingdom, tree canopy walk and Boda Borg puzzle rooms. Kilronan Castle’s woodland trails and the Rindoon Peninsula loops also give older children plenty of space to explore.
More Roscommon Adventures
Looking for more ideas nearby? You might also enjoy exploring the best outdoor spots for families in Roscommon, checking out the county’s fun playgrounds, or browsing our full list of top things to do in Roscommon with kids.
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