A 35-hectare remnant of ancient broadleaf woodland on the western edge of Galway city, laced with easy trails, a holy well and newly carved tree sculptures.
In the shadow of the old oaks lies Saint Enda's Well, a monument of cultural heritage dating back to the 5th/6th century that is still used for prayer and contemplation. The wood also contains a mass rock and old field boundaries.
The 1.6 km Galway Green Leaf biodiversity trail (Pink Route) starts and finishes at the car park, running through the centre of the woodland and out along the playing pitches. It is rated easy, mostly on paved or gravel paths with relatively even ground, and is family friendly.
Trees felled by Storm Éowyn in January 2025 were carved by chainsaw artist Will Fogarty into a fairy house, an owl, an eagle, an otter chasing a fish and a wizened tree spirit. They line the main path through the woodlands, reachable from the Barna Road entrance or by walking through Cappagh Park.
Barna Woods holds some of the oldest oak trees in all of the west of Ireland, growing among beech, ash, birch, holly, hazel and willow. The main section of woodland is open with little understory and scattered with large moss-covered boulders.
The track follows Barna stream for most of the route, crossing several footbridges that double as viewing points for Dipper and Grey Wagtail, and Otter use the stream too. In the woods look and listen for Jay, Treecreeper and Great Tit; elsewhere there are red squirrel, fox, badger and wood mouse, with Brimstone and Speckled Wood butterflies in spring and summer.
There is a picnic area within the woods, and a very short detour leads to Cappagh Park's playground and playing pitches, which makes a handy add-on for families. Entering through Cappagh Park also gives an alternative approach with more parking.
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