Castlecomer Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park is a multi-activity forest park set on 80 acres of mixed woodland in the south-east of Ireland 20km north of the city of Kilkenny and 24km from Carlow town. Open all year round the Discovery Park is an ideal location for a family day out with plenty of activities on offer.

There are two fishing lakes, an adventure children’s playground, a picnic area and an extensive craft design yard, featuring the work of local designers and artists. Along with the outdoor activities, there is an extensive and detailed exhibition entitled ‘Footprints in the Coal’

History of Wandesforde Estate

The original Castlecomer House was built in 1638 and was destroyed during the Battle of Castlecomer during the Rebellion of 1798. Lady Anne rebuilt a larger house in 1802 but this eventually fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1975. No trace of the house, which actually was sited on the other side of the Dublin/Kilkenny road remains today.

Like many large landowners at the time, the Wandesforde family spent time improving their grounds to create an idealised landscape. One major part of this was the construction of two artificial lakes, which would have been used for fishing and boating. In 2004, the lakes were re-instated as part of the restoration and clearance of the woodlands, and are now used for rainbow trout angling. A replica of the Wandesforde family boathouse has also been constructed on the original site on the lower lake.

The Design Yard is located in what was the farmyard and stables of the Wandesforde family in the 1700’s. The buildings have been converted and are now used by a host of artists and craftspeople. Craft Shops include pottery and ceramics, jewellery, stone carving, painting, antiques, furniture restoration and Mitzy Kilkenny.

Located inside the visitor centre, the gift shop stocks a wide range of inexpensive gifts, toys and souvenirs for all the family with an emphasis on education and the outdoors. It also plays host to the delightful Jarrow Café.

Family Activities At Castlecomer Discovery Park

For families wanting to spend a day at Castlecomer Discovery Park, there are plenty of activities on offer.

Nature Trails

With 80 acres of woodland and 6km of trails surrounding two lakes, Castlecomer Discovery Park has plenty of room for exploration. Families can liven up a walk and improve their overall experience by picking up one of the Nature Trails from the reception desk. Available at a cost of only €10, the trails use questions about the park and nature puzzles to encourage families to explore and appreciate the woodlands. Each family to complete a trail gets a prize.

Picnic tables are located in the parkland by the river's edge close to the car park and children's playground and there are also a number of more secluded picnic spots located along the woodland walks.
 

Adventure Playground

The Castlecomer Discovery Park adventure playground is designed around the themes of the ‘Footprints in Coal’ exhibition with coal trucks and prehistoric animals constructed from timber. It is open to the public all year round and is suitable for children under 14 years. Children should be supervised by an adult. 

Seasonal Activities At Castlecomer Discovery Park

As well as the ongoing family trails in the Castlecomer Discovery Park , they also organise specific seasonal events for families usually based around the woodlands.

At Easter there is plenty of Easter Activities to keep everyone amused. Every year they have a different theme for the family tour.

To Find More Out About Easter At Castlecomer Discovery Park

At Christmas the Elves Workshop is located in a cave beside the lake and is very popular for families in December.

To Find Out More About Santa At Castlecomer Discovery Park

The also run Easter Egg hunts and special Halloween trails and events

To Find Out More About Halloween At Castlecomer Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park Coal Experience Exhibition

The Footprints in Coal Experience is a 45 minute tour through Castlecomer’s past, an interactive multimedia display that takes the visitor on a journey through time. Starting with the formation of the coal 300 million years ago, it than skips forward and travels through more than 300 years of coal mining history to the closure of the mines in 1969. First through the use of life-sized reconstructions of prehistoric animals and plants, video clips, fossils, rock specimens and information panels, prehistoric life in the coal swamps of the Carboniferous Period is brought to life. Then life sized and scale models of the mines, displays of mining artefact's, information panels and video interviews with ex-miners and the families of those associated with the mines bring to life more than 300 years of coal mining history.

In 1865 a large number of fossil amphibians were found in the mines which is why the exhibition in titled ‘Footprints in the Coal’. This part of the exhibition brings both adults and kids alike right back millions of years ago to life on earth before birds, animals or man.

Castlecomer Discovery Park School Tours

The 'Footprints in Coal' exhibition is a great experience for children and students of all ages and an ideal location for a school tour or an educational visit.

For Primary schools, they offer a Primary School Science Day based around the 'Footprints in Coal' exhibition and incorporating activities which explore the plants and animals of the surrounding parkland. All activities are curriculum linked and we are accredited under the Discover Primary Science Programme.

For Secondary Schools, a visit to the exhibition is an educational experience for all and covers topics related to the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Geography curricula such as plate tectonics; the tectonic cycle and Ireland's changing position over geological time; rock types; the rock cycle and coal mining.

Angling at Castlecomer Discovery Park

The lower lake is for fly fishing and the upper lake for bait fishing. There is a charge of €20 for four hours fishing (children under 16 years pay €15). Rods can be hired and there is an angling shop where bait and flies can be purchased.

Family Fun Tip for Castlecomer Discovery Park 

Before visiting the Exhibition, check in with the reception desk and pick up a questionnaire for the children. These questionnaires are free and will help the children to locate specific items in the exhibition. It will also inject a healthy dose of competition among the children if there is more than one

Opening Times At Castlecomer Discovery Park

• May to August 9.30 to 17.30
• September, October, March and April 10.00 to 17.00
• November to February 10.30 to 16.30
   

Admission To Castlecomer Discovery Park

• Adult €8.00
• Child (4 - 12 years) €5.00,
• Child under 4 Free
• OAP/Student €6.00
• Family (2 adults + 1 child) €18.00
• Each additional child with family €2.00
• Additional charges for educational programmes

Directions To Castlecomer Discovery Park

From the centre of Castlecomer town take the N78 towards Dublin, go over the bridge and after 200m you will see the main iron gates for Castlecomer Discovery Park on your left.

Coming from the Athy or Carlow direction, Castlecomer Discovery Park is on the right hand side just before you enter Castlecomer town. There is parking on site for cars and buses. Just follow the signs as you come in through the main gates. 

View all items in the sections:  Activity Centres  |  Things To Do In Carlow  |  Things To Do In Kilkenny