Dun na Ri Forest Park

Located a mile north of Kingscourt in County Cavan, Dun na Ri Forest Park, and south of Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan – all of which are linked by the R179 route.

Situated on the banks of the River Cabra, the 565 acre Park embraces part of the Cabra Estate, which was formerly owned by the Pratt family.
The area is steeped in history and legend. One ancient tale mentions that the Irish “superman” Cuchulain camped here at night, while battling single-handedly against the Connaght army of Queen Medbh by day, in his defence of the province of Ulster.

One of Ireland’s Government-protected Forest Parks, Dun an Ri lies in a tranquil glen, and boasts many pleasant and diverse geological formations. An artificial lake in the park, called Lady's Lake, once took the water that passed through the old flax mill at Cabra.

The main tree species in the forest are Norway spruce and oak, which are managed commercially by Coillte, the state’s forestry agency. Hazel, holly and elderberry are also strongly developed, while herb-robert, foxglove, ferns, bluebells and snowdrops are also found in the undergrowth.

Among the animals that inhabit the woods are squirrels (both red and grey), stoats, rabbits, Irish hares and pigmy shrews. Mink are plentiful along the Cabra’s banks, where otters too can sometimes be seen.

The Park offers four planned walks, ranging from about 1.5-2km in length, each with its own points of interest, identified by signposts.

Some of these are the old Ice House; the wishing well (or Holy Well, called Tobar na Splinne), Cromwell’s Bridge, the remains of Fleming's Castle; Cabra Cottage (the Pratt residence); Cabra Cottage (the Pratts’ earlier residence); the flax mill, the Lady's Lake; and Sarah's Well.

Each of the walks begins at Sarah's Bridge, which was built in 1801.