Short Loop (1.2km)
An easy, brown-marked loop starting at the Inny Bridge car park. It stays close to the car park, so you can cut back at any point, while still showing off the woodland flora and fauna.
Newcastle Wood Walk
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About
A 325-hectare Coillte forest on both banks of the River Inny, threaded with waymarked loops through the old King-Harman demesne. Bring sturdy shoes, a picnic and half a day.
Things to Do
Newcastle Wood Loop (3.7km)
The green-marked moderate circuit, about an hour, also leaves from the car park and takes you right around the forest and along the river.
Perimeter Trail (5.6km)
The longest marked route, red markers, begins at the White Bridge and loops around the perimeter of the Center Parcs resort — roughly 1.5 hours of gentle forest road.
Riverside walk on the Inny
The bank path follows the Inny, a Shannon tributary once judged Ireland's cleanest river, with the rear of Newcastle House dominating the far bank.
Cross the White Bridge
Installed in 2019, the new White Bridge replaced the iron bridge dismantled in 1963 and once again lets walkers cross the Inny.
Trees, birds and wildlife
Look for oak, ash, beech and conifers, with swans, mallard, kingfisher and skylark along the water; fallow deer are often seen slipping away through the trees.
Boating and canoeing
The wood is also a put-in point for paddling on the Inny, and the Newcastle Wood Greenway runs through the forest.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Open all year round with seasonal opening and closing times; there is no gate charge.
- Parking: Small free car park and picnic area on the far side of the road at Newcastle Bridge, reached by a narrow lane off Ballymahon's main street (about 2km).
- Food: No cafe or shop on site — the nearest food and drink is in Ballymahon town centre, roughly 2km away.
Getting Around
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