Portumna Forest Park is forested on 1500 acres of land which is adjacened to Lough DergOverview: The name Portumna derives from the Gaelic 'Port Omna' meaning the landing place of the oak tree. Portumna Forest Park covers almost 450 hectares and was formerly owned by the Clanrickarde family. There is an old abbey, now under the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW), within the Park which dates back to the 15th century. The castle nearby, on which considerable restoration work has been carried out by the OPW, dates back to the 17th century and was the seat of the Earl of Clanrickarde.
The forest has many habitats from lakeshore to turlough. The main conifer tree species include Scots pine, Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and larch. A programme is in place to replace recently felled trees with native oak-ash-hazel woodland under the Native Woodland Scheme. A notable feature of the park is the presence of yew and juniper in open woodland along the lake shore.
The park fauna includes a large population of fallow deer while other animal species include pine marten, fox and badger. The red squirrel still has a stronghold in the park and there is also a large inland colony of cormorants nesting in one of the islands.
There are 4 looped trails in the Park. The Forest Friendly Trail is a 1.4km multi-access trail suitable for wheelchairs, buggies or prams, children's bicycles and walkers of all abilities. It has sealed surfaces and wide timber boardwalk sections. It forms the core of the trails in the park.
The Woodland Trail (2km) has wide and reasonable smooth surfaces, along with one section of narrow trail. It is suitable for walkers and cyclists out for a short gentle stroll or cycle.
The Rinnmaher and Bonaveen trails are longer loops (10km), extending to the outer areas of the Park. They have long narrow sections of trail, with variable surfaces and some narrow boardwalks.
Tips: Directions:
Leaving Portumna, on the R352 heading towards Mountshannon, the park entrance is 1km from the town on the left hand side. The trailhead is located in the car-park which is 1km inside the park gates. Picnic facilities are also located in this area.
Watch out for signal signs along the way giving you more information about local fauna and flora and cultural features within the Park.
Bike Hire
All the trails are dual use for both walking and cycling. Bikes are available to hire locally from Murray's Cycle Hire, Portumna, Tel. +353-90-9759596.
The forest has many habitats from lakeshore to turlough. The main conifer tree species include Scots pine, Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and larch. A programme is in place to replace recently felled trees with native oak-ash-hazel woodland under the Native Woodland Scheme. A notable feature of the park is the presence of yew and juniper in open woodland along the lake shore.
The park fauna includes a large population of fallow deer while other animal species include pine marten, fox and badger. The red squirrel still has a stronghold in the park and there is also a large inland colony of cormorants nesting in one of the islands.
There are 4 looped trails in the Park. The Forest Friendly Trail is a 1.4km multi-access trail suitable for wheelchairs, buggies or prams, children's bicycles and walkers of all abilities. It has sealed surfaces and wide timber boardwalk sections. It forms the core of the trails in the park.
The Woodland Trail (2km) has wide and reasonable smooth surfaces, along with one section of narrow trail. It is suitable for walkers and cyclists out for a short gentle stroll or cycle.
The Rinnmaher and Bonaveen trails are longer loops (10km), extending to the outer areas of the Park. They have long narrow sections of trail, with variable surfaces and some narrow boardwalks.
Tips: Directions:
Leaving Portumna, on the R352 heading towards Mountshannon, the park entrance is 1km from the town on the left hand side. The trailhead is located in the car-park which is 1km inside the park gates. Picnic facilities are also located in this area.
Watch out for signal signs along the way giving you more information about local fauna and flora and cultural features within the Park.
Bike Hire
All the trails are dual use for both walking and cycling. Bikes are available to hire locally from Murray's Cycle Hire, Portumna, Tel. +353-90-9759596.