Walk the woodland paths
Over 12km of paths wind through 60 acres of mature woodland. Most loops take 30 minutes to an hour, but it is easy to spend a few hours exploring.
Derreen Garden(Gairdín Derreen)
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About
A 60-acre 19th-century woodland garden at the head of Kilmackillogue Harbour, where mossy paths wind past towering rhododendrons and eucalyptus to sudden sea views.
Things to Do
Rhododendrons and exotic trees
Derreen is known for its rhododendrons, some planted in the 1870s and now rarely matched in size, set among groves of bamboo, tree ferns, eucalyptus and twisted old oaks.
Sea and mountain views
Paths open onto views over Kilmackillogue Harbour and the Caha Mountains, with the McGillicuddy Reeks in the distance.
Hunt for the Derreeny Houses
Twenty minute 'Derreeny' houses, each about 5cm tall, hide along the Glade Walk and the adjacent Broad Walk. A hit with children.
Wildlife spotting
Watch for Sika deer, red squirrels and Irish hares in the woods, seals and otters in the harbour, and cormorants, oystercatchers and curlews along the shore.
Derreen Café
The garden café serves lunch from the kitchen garden and locally sourced produce, plus coffee and homemade cakes, with seating inside and out. Open 11am to 5pm, March to November.
Picnic or a pub at Kilmakilloge
Finish with a picnic, a cream tea at the cottage near the car park, or a short trip to the nearby pub at Kilmakilloge.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Garden open 10am–6pm all year round. Café open 11am–5pm, March to November.
- Admission: Adults €12, children €6; family ticket €35
- Parking: Car park on site (free), with additional paid and free street parking; wheelchair-accessible parking available.
- Food: Derreen Café serves lunch from the kitchen garden, locally sourced produce, tea, coffee and homemade cakes. Cream tea is available at the cottage near the car park, and there is a pub at nearby Kilmakilloge.
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