County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie
County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie
County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie
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<strong>County</strong> <strong>Kildare</strong> <strong>Walking</strong> <strong>Routes</strong> <strong>Project</strong><br />
Comments<br />
1. The route passes through one landscape character area defined in the <strong>County</strong><br />
Development Plans as the Northern Lowlands. However Donadea Forest is<br />
recognized in the <strong>County</strong> Development Plan as an area of mixed woodland including<br />
individual trees, groups of trees and avenues worthy of preservation. Some scrubland<br />
with natural vegetation has been set aside. A new oak wood has been planted beside<br />
the 9/11 memorial. There are some interesting excavations associated with bridge<br />
building on the estate that reveals the underlying marly clay full of freshwater mollusc<br />
shells that could be preserved as a stopping point of geological interest along the<br />
nature trail.<br />
2. In addition to the nature trail in the forest with its mixture of broadleaf, conifer and<br />
some exotic spec<strong>ie</strong>s there is a magnificent grove of beech, approximately 150 years<br />
old, which covers an area of 1 hectare. Other broadleaved spec<strong>ie</strong>s include young oak ,<br />
planted in 1938 and common ash. Sitka spruce, grand fir and Norway spruce are also<br />
present. The Shrubbery Trail has holm oak, horse chestnut, copper beech, silver birch,<br />
larch, hazel, yew, Lawson cypress and monkey puzzle. Along the walls, the ivy-leaved<br />
toadflax, maidenhair spleenworth and hart's tongue fern can be observed. The muddy<br />
bottom of the shallow lake provides an ideal habitat for aquatic plants. Pond weed is<br />
abundant while reed mace is prominent in the shallow waters. The large-leaved yellow<br />
water lily can also be seen. There is a lake walk with abundant coot, moorhen and<br />
mallard. The mute swan is an occasional visitor. The lake is also stocked with coarse<br />
fish. Rabbits and squirrels are a common sight in the forest.<br />
3. From a practical point of v<strong>ie</strong>w the route is only accessible by car. Ample car parking is<br />
provided. It is only 20 miles from the centre of Dublin. In terms of its link to the towns of<br />
<strong>Kildare</strong> people interv<strong>ie</strong>wed had traveled from Newbridge and Leixlip and did so on a<br />
regular basis. The Park is perceived by many in urban <strong>Kildare</strong> as a place to introduce<br />
their children to the wonders of nature and the countryside.<br />
4. The Forest Park contains the remnants of Donadea Castle, home of the Aylemer<br />
family from 1550 to 1935. The original building was burnt in the 1641 rebellion and was<br />
rebuilt. The adjacent tower was built in 1836. There is a 17 th century walled garden<br />
(unfortunately not open to the public) and nearby St. Peter’s Churh of Ireland<br />
graveyard with many interesting gravestones dating back to the 1700s. A neglected,<br />
but well preserved ice house is worthy of restoration. The ice house was the 18 th<br />
century equivalent of the fridge where meat, game and dairy products were stored.<br />
The walled streams are a fascinating example of water engineering in the 18 th century<br />
that was designed to drain the estate lands and controls the level of the lake using<br />
sluice gates. There is a memorial dedicated to the memory of the firemen and<br />
policemen of New York who gave their lives in the 9/11 tragedy. The family of Sean<br />
Tallon, one of those who d<strong>ie</strong>d, lives in Donadea. All of the sites are located on the<br />
actual route and most are accessible to the public.<br />
5. Donadea Forest Park is owned and managed by Coillte. Coillte promotes recreational<br />
walking at Donadea and have an open access policy. Coillte developed an<br />
Environmental Management Plan for the Park and involves the local community group<br />
in the process. Where on going development work is in progress the hazards are well<br />
signposted. A low hanging cable close to the ruin of Donadea Castle is a potential<br />
hazard that is not properly signposted. Given the large number of visitors a limited<br />
amount of littering does occur. There is an element of private sector involvement<br />
through the franchise for the coffee shop which is privately owned.<br />
6. Donadea is designated as a proposed Natural Heritage Area in the Draft <strong>County</strong><br />
Development Plan for <strong>Kildare</strong>.