Tollymore Forest Park County Down Northern Ireland

Tollymore Forest Park

Trails

Four way-marked trails of varying lengths take the visitor on a tour of the parks most beautiful areas. These trails follow a circular route and are sign posted from the information board in the main car park. Strong footware is recommended.

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Arboretum and Forest Plots Trail (1.75 Km / 1 Mile)

This trail passess along the lower edge of the arboretum, gently descends through a stand of semi-mature broadleaved trees before entering the forest plots area. From there it follows a grass path between the plots to give close access to a wide variety of tree species from around the world. Continuing uphill through the plots it winds its way through the arboretum with its variety of rare tree and shrub species to the car park.

Lake and Ponds Trail (2 Kms / 1.25 Miles)

Descending the Azalea Walk to the Shimna River, this trail follows the river bank downstream and across the Old Bridge to the lake. Here the visitor can rest and observe the colourful duck and wildfowl on the water. Leaving the lake the trail continues alongside a small woodland stream and past the old mill ponds, as it winds its way beneth tall Fir trees to cross the river again at Foleys Bridge. From here it turns upstream along the tree shaded bank of the Shimna before ascending the grass covered slope of the Green Rig to the car park.

Rivers Trail (5 Kms / 3 Miles)

Having decended the Azalea Walk to the Shimna River, the trail turns upstream along the attractive tree lined river bank past the Hermitage to cross the river at Parnells Bridge. From here it continues downstream to the Altavaddy Bridge before turning right up the side of the fast tumbling Spinkwee river to the Cascade falls. This 10 metre cascade of water is one of the most spectular features of Tollymore. Continuing across the Spinkwee bridge the trail returns through tall Fir and Larch trees past the Lake and over the Old Bridge to ascend the Green Rig to the car park.

Long Haul Trail (13 Kms / 8 Miles)

This trail while mostly over forest roads requires a degree of stamina. It passess through a great variety of forest scenery and into the more remote areas of the forest. Here the visitor can experience the peace and tranquillity of walking through mature woodland and forest glades. From the marked viewpoints on Drinns and Curraghard there are magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding countryside including the Mourne Mountains with Newcastle at their foot and the Isle of Man in the far distance.

History

The earliest mention of Tollymore was in records dated 1611 when it was stated that the Maginnes family of Upper Iveagh received a grant of 7.5 townlans including the Estate of Tollymore, from James I. This remained in the family until about 1685 when Bryan Maginness died unmarried and his sister Ellen who had married Capt, William Hamiliton of Ayrshire inherited the land.

The Hamilton family remained owners of Tollymore until 1798 when a similar chain of events took place.

The great grandson of William Hamilton, James died in 1798 without children and Tollymore was transferred to his sister Anne, who married Robert Jocelyn, 1st Earl of Roden.

The Roden family continued in possession of Tollymore throughout the 19th Century, when in 1930 the late Earl sold part of the Estate to the Ministry of Agriculture for afforestation purposes. The remainder was sold to the Ministry in 1941.

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