A community-built, wheelchair-accessible trail winding 5 km through wetlands and woodland along the River Anne, from Dunhill village to the secluded Annestown Beach — with a ruined 13th-century castle watching over the valley.
A flat, wide gravel path runs 4.5 km (one way) from Ballyphilip Bridge in Dunhill to Annestown village. The linear route passes ponds, wetlands and woodland, with picnic benches and information boards dotted along the way. Allow 1 hour each way, or 2–2.5 hours for the 9 km return trip.
The Anne River valley is rich in birdlife and protected species. Look for herons, kingfishers and swans, and listen for the splash of otters. The constructed wetlands — originally built to treat runoff — now double as a thriving ecosystem. Early mornings give you the best chance of sightings.
About halfway along the trail, the ruins of Dunhill Castle come into view atop a rocky ridge. Built around AD 1200 by the la Poer (Power) family, only a 15th‑century tower and fragments of the bawn wall remain. A short, steep grassy detour takes you up to the castle for panoramic views of the valley.
The trail ends at Annestown, where a quiet sandy beach on the Copper Coast awaits — popular with swimmers and surfers. It's an ideal spot for a post‑walk rest or picnic, with striking sea arches and rocky islands just offshore.
Children love hunting for the tiny fairy doors hidden along the trail. Combined with the easy terrain and abundant wildlife, it makes an engaging, low-effort family day out.
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