Major development plan announced for County Roscommon Park

Coillte, in conjunction with Roscommon County Council, has announced plans to develop Lough Key Forest and Activity Park. Currently at the early stages of concept and design, the project has been awarded €1.2m by Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, co-funded by the EU and the Government under the EU Just Transition fund. The funding will be used to help fund the creation of the development plan to enhance the visitor experience at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park.

Among the range of enhancements being considered are: an activity centre for children and adults; new forest experiences to further enhance the existing aerial adventures and tower experiences; an enhanced beach and swimming area at the lake; a meadow/lawn events area; expanded dining and on-site retail facilities offering local artisan foods and crafts; improved parking at the site.

Lough Key Forest and Activity offers 350 hectares of forest, semi-natural woodland and parkland set on Lough Key. It already draws thousands of visitors each year to the aerial forest adventures and electric bike trails, Boda Borg and Adventure Play Kingdom, kayaking and the boat tours on the lake, or simply to experience nature by walking through the woodlands and forest.

Mark Carlin, MD Coillte Forest said: “This project is part of Coillte’s strategy to create more world class visitor destinations and increase recreation spaces nationally. Investment in enhancing the visitor experience at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park will encourage local, national and international visitors to stay longer and spend more in County Roscommon and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, driving economic and employment opportunities for local communities. It is our intention that the same high-quality standard that we applied to the development of Beyond the Trees Avondale will be brought to this project. We envisage that the investment in enhancing the amenities and facilities will create a truly world class visitor destination for County Roscommon. We’re delighted to receive this funding from Fáilte Ireland which will be used to support our vision for Lough Key Forest and Activity Park.

“As we develop the plan for the site, in conjunction with Roscommon County Council, we will seek the views of local stakeholders and communities, and there will be a number of opportunities to take feedback on board before we finalise the plans for the park.” 

Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive, Roscommon County Council said that the park was “an important outdoor recreational facility for Boyle and the wider county, but it is also an important tourist destination which boosts to the local economy. We very much look forward to developing the park further and welcoming more local, national and international visitors as our plans progress.” 

Paddy Mathews, Head of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands at Fáilte Ireland noted that the projects being funded under the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, and which spanned the entire region, would create more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Roscommon and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. “This will generate new opportunities for employment, empower local businesses, and enhance local communities, while strengthening the appeal of the Midlands as a tourist destination for generations to come. We look forward to working with Coillte and Roscommon County Council to deliver this project,” he said.