The great man's Avondale Forest Park in Co Wicklow is a wonderful place – accessible, manageable in size and with a good selection of trails, writes FRANCIS BRADLEY
AVONDALE HOUSE and Forest Park brings back fond memories for me. When my eldest son was a toddler we used to picnic in Parnell’s garden, and when the second lad arrived we repeated the exercise, including a bit of frisbee. And the weather always seemed to be just right: not too hot, not too cold, a light breeze – the perfect Irish day. Recently, we revisited Avondale together; in the 10-plus years since we were last there, not a lot has changed, and the impact of the forest park remains the same.
The significance of Avondale in relation to modern Irish history cannot be ignored – Avondale House was the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell, “the blackbird of Avondale”. He was given this name because he practised his oratorical skills from the balcony of Avondale House.
Parnell, regarded by many as the greatest politician in Ireland and by others as the uncrowned king of Ireland, died in 1891, at only 45, and the estate was sold in 1899. Five years later it was purchased by the State, and, again, Avondale became renowned as a birthplace – that of the Irish forestry service.
Experimental silvicultural plots were laid out here in the style of a continental forest garden, and this can be clearly seen along the Great Ride. Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forests in order to meet the diverse needs and values of the many landowners, societies and cultures.
At the starting point, the ample car park and picnic area, there is a noticeboard indicating all walks and trails in the park. The route we selected was a mix of three of these. We set off from the car park and headed up the avenue to Avondale House. This Georgian building, which was designed by James Wyatt and built in 1777, is now a museum, conference centre and coffee shop, and each August the Parnell Summer School takes place here.
Leaving the house behind us, we passed through a stand of tall elms before emerging on to the magnificent Great Ride – a broad, undulating, grassy carpet that runs for 1,500m. This is a location that seduces you into adjusting to its slow, steady yet unrelenting pace. We had been on part of the red or exotic trail, but we now abandoned this to continue on part of the white or river-walk trail. Upon reaching the stone cairn – constructed by early forestry students when they collected stones while clearing boundary walls in the original estate – views of the Vale of Avoca opened before us.
Continuing on from the cairn, we re-entered the forest and joined up with part of the yellow or cairn-walk trail as it led us on a meandering path back towards Avondale House. Soon our course changed again, as we picked up the red trail and took a sharp descent in the direction of Avonmore river. Once at the river we followed the trail alongside it in a northerly direction towards the house, where we finished off our walk with an enjoyable outdoor snack.
Avondale is a wonderful place to enjoy. It is safe – so long as you are not foolish – and it is well laid out and manageable in size. It is accessible to all ages, and it offers a wide choice of trails.
Avondale Forest Park, Co Wicklow
Start and finishAvondale House and Forest Park car park, 2.5km south of Rathdrum, Co Wicklow.
DistanceThree or four kilometres. However, with the choice of trails this distance can be expanded.
TimeA leisurely one and a half hours.
MapsDetailed maps at www.coillte outdoors.ie.
SuitabilityFor all ages. Obey the signs. You don't need a compass here, but you should know how to read a map and use a compass. Dress appropriately and bring along drinks and snacks. Don't litter.
RefreshmentsAvondale House and Rathdrum.