Killykeen Forest Park, Cavan - Trails, Wildlife and Lough Oughter
Killykeen Forest Park sits on the shores of Lough Oughter, about 12 kilometres north-west of Cavan Town. It covers 240 hectares of mixed woodland, and the lake wraps around it on three sides - the water here is part of a complex of interconnected loughs that make up one of the largest freshwater systems in Ireland.
Entry is free and the park is open all year. An electric gate closes at 9pm and opens at 9am, which sets a natural rhythm for visits. There are two car parks - one approached from the Cavan Town side and one from the Killeshandra side - connected by a footbridge over a narrow inlet.
The park draws walkers, cyclists, anglers and kayakers. In summer there is a small coffee kiosk and seasonal hire of bikes and canoes. Outside summer, the park is quieter, and the trails through oak and conifer woodland are often empty on weekday mornings.
If you are travelling through the Irish Midlands and want a straightforward half-day outdoors - away from roads and with some decent views across open water - Killykeen is a reliable option. It does not always feel well-maintained, but the setting is genuinely good.
What to Expect
There are five waymarked trails. The Nature Trail is 3 kilometres and takes around 60 minutes at a steady pace. It is white-waymarked and loops through mixed woodland before opening out to views across Lough Oughter towards Cloughoughter Castle - the ruined 13th-century tower house that sits on a small island in the lake. You cannot reach the castle on foot from the park, but you can see it clearly from a couple of points on this trail.
The Access for All trail is the shortest at 0.5 kilometres and is surfaced for wheelchair and buggy access. The Gartanoul Shore Trail runs for 2 kilometres along the lakeshore and connects to the Gartanoul Loop, which extends to 4.5 kilometres. The Family Cycle Trail covers 3 kilometres and is suited to young children on bikes. The terrain is generally flat with some undulating sections.
Lough Oughter is well known for coarse fishing. Pike, bream and perch are the main catches. You will need a valid Inland Fisheries Ireland licence and a permit, available online or from local tackle shops. The lake can be fished from the shore in places or from a boat - hire is available seasonally near the park.
Kayaking is a good way to explore the lake system. The water is calm and the channels between the loughs are sheltered. Canoe hire is available in summer from within the park. Cavan Adventure Centre also runs guided kayak sessions on Lough Oughter.
The woodland supports red squirrels and pine marten, both of which have recovered well across Cavan in recent years. Mallard and tufted duck are common on the water. The forest is a mix of conifer plantation and older broadleaf sections - the broadleaf areas near the lakeshore are the best for wildlife.
There are a few things worth knowing before you visit. There are no bins anywhere in the park, and litter and dog waste are a recurring problem on the trails - bring a bag and take everything out with you. The toilet block near the bridge car park is not always open, so plan accordingly. The area around the planned visitor centre has been boarded up for some time and gives the park an unfinished feel in places. Trails can be muddy after wet weather, particularly the forest sections away from the lakeshore.
How to Get There
Killykeen Forest Park is roughly 12 kilometres north-west of Cavan Town in the direction of Killeshandra. There are two separate entrances. If you are coming from Cavan Town, follow signs for Killeshandra and look for the park entrance on the right after about 10 minutes of driving. If you are coming from Killeshandra, the entrance is on the left as you approach Cavan.
There is no public transport to the park. You will need a car. From Dublin, Cavan Town is approximately 120 kilometres via the N3/M3, around 90 minutes in normal traffic. The park is well signed from the town centre.
If you are coming from Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, the drive south takes around 45 minutes via the A509 and N87. Belturbet is the nearest town on that route and is about 20 minutes from the park.
The gate closes at 9pm - make sure you are back at your car before then. If you are arriving late in the afternoon in summer, check sunset time against the gate closing time.
Where to Stay Nearby
There is no accommodation inside Killykeen itself apart from self-catering lodges at CABU by the Lakes. For a wider choice, Cavan Town is the most practical base - it is 12 kilometres away and has hotels, guesthouses and restaurants. Killeshandra village is closer at around 4 kilometres but has limited options.
A restored Georgian estate on the edge of Cavan Town with a spa, woodland walks and 1,300 acres of grounds. The best hotel base for this part of Cavan.
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