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Forest
Park
Avondale forest park extends well beyond the seed café, walled gardens and treetop walk.
Over 500 acres of mature woodland with trees from all over the world are available to explore and enjoy.
Some of Ireland’s most interesting and tallest trees can be found at Avondale. With many footpaths and a variety of marked walking and cycling trails this is a wonderful place for a outing with the family and the dog and information on the various trails can be found on the Trails Page. Avondale has a rich history and is often considered the birthplace of Irish forestry. In the early 20th century Ireland’s first forestry school was located here.
Between 1905 and 1913 a forestry experiment was conducted at Avondale under the guidance of a Scottish forester, A.C. Forbes. 99 different species of trees were planted in experimental plots along the Great Ride to see which would grow best under Irish conditions.
Avondale, Home of tree champion, Samuel Hayes.
The Great Tree Experiment helped develop the science of forestry in Ireland and the knowledge gained is valuable to the modern day foresters who tend Avondale along with Coillte’s other forests.
Avondale was also the home of tree champion, Samuel Hayes, who wrote A Practical Treatise on Planting and Management of Woods and Coppices in 1794 and who pioneered the reforestation of Avondale Estate. Charles Stewart Parnell, Ireland’s great political leader in the latter years of the 19th century was born at Avondale House along with 9 of his 11 brothers and sisters.
This was Parnell’s childhood playground and it is easy to imagine him playing cricket with the local lads, tromping through the forest or playing tin soldiers with his sister Fanny in front of Avondale House. You can read more about the history of Avondale Forest Park here.
