A free 320-hectare forest park on a former aristocratic estate, with castle ruins, eight lakes, a giant sculpture trail and a prize-winning redwood tree, just 3.5km south-west of Monaghan town.
Choose from colour-coded trails: the Castle Trail passes the ruins and walled garden, the Lakes Trail links the park's watercourses, and the 3km Priestfield Walk follows a colonnade of yew trees to the Rossmore family crypt. The short Nature Trail follows a tarmacadam path suitable for wheelchairs and leads to a picnic area and viewing point over Barnhill Lake.
Only the grand flight of steps and buttresses survive of the Tudor-Gothic Rossmore Castle (demolished 1974), offering a viewpoint over the countryside. Also hidden in the trees: the walled garden, the 'ice house' (likely a servants' tunnel) and the ornate family mausoleum.
The park's newest draw is a sculpture trail of giants, including the Roddy-Den-Drum Giant, plus an award-winning natural play area for children that was designed with local schoolchildren. The playground is gated and fenced for safety.
Look for the giant redwood planted by the 4th Lord Rossmore in 1862, which won Ireland's Tree of the Year award, plus Sierra redwoods, cedars, a monkey puzzle and a 460m avenue of yews. Rhododendrons and azaleas bloom in early summer; otters, badgers, foxes and five bat species live in the park.
Part of the forest carries a cycle-friendly trail on a long-distance route, and there are eight lakes including Barnhill, Castle and Twin Lakes. Fishing is possible but you must apply to the local anglers' club for permission first.
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