Kingscourt

Fort of the King

Main Street

Kingscourt, historically known as Dunaree (Irish: Dún na Rí, meaning “fort of the king”), is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is located near the Cavan-Meath border and has a population of over 3,000, making it the fourth largest town in County Cavan (click here for directions). The town was founded near the site of the old village of Cabra, by Mervyn Pratt, towards the end of the 18th century, and was completed by his brother, The Rev. Joseph Pratt

Church on the Hill

Cabra Castle, an early 19th-century ‘Gothick-style’ castle, is located very near the town, being on the R179 (known locally as the Carrickmacross Road). The castle was originally called Cormey Castle and was built on the site of an earlier Cormey Castle which had been destroyed during the Cromwellian War. The castle has, in recent years, been restored and expanded and is now a five star hotel which is popular for weddings.

Dún na Rí Forest Park is located a couple of kilometers from Kingscourt. Situated in a valley, and formerly part of the Pratt family‘s Cabra Estate (which was centered on nearby Cabra Castle), Dún na Rí is home to stoat, hare, mink, rabbit and otter, as well as red and grey squirrel along the banks of the River Cabra.

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Dun an Rí Forest Park

Dun an Rí Forest Park is located 1.5km north of Kingscourt on the R179 to Carrickmacross.

Park

The Forest Park embraces part of the Cabra Estate, which was formerly owned by the Pratt family. It is situated in the parish of Enniskeen, which includes a portion of the Barony of Clonee, Co. Cavan and a smaller part of the Barony of Kells, Co. Meath. The O’Reilly family ruled the area until the end of the 16th century when they were succeed by the Flemings who built Felming’s Castle at Cabra in 1605. In 1666, Col. Thomas Cooch, a forebear of the Pratt family, came into possession of the estate. The ‘Romantic Glen’ of the Cabra River, stretching the full length of the park is an area steeped in history and legend. It is said that Cuchulain camped here at night while conducting his single-handed defense of Ulster against the armies of Queen Maeve by day. Eilis Boland who wrote the famous ballad “Doonaree” wrote about “the wishing well, beyond the chestnut tree in a shady nook, by a winding brook…” The chestnut tree still stands and is a feature of the parkland.

Chestnut Tree

The park is located in an area noted for the diversity of its geological formations. The forest itself lies in a tranquil glen. Lady’s lake is an artificial lake, which was fed from water passing through the old flax mill at Cabra. The Cabra River runs through the park.

Lady’s Lake

Walking Paths

There are a number of different walking paths in Dun an Rí. There are four walks of approximately 1.5-2km in length all with points of interest.

The forest of Dun an Rí is 229 hectares of which 146 hectares comprises of commercial forest. Norway spruce and oak are two important species in these commercial stands. The oak trees are managed to produce a valuable veneer crop.

There are various features identified by sign posts in the course of the several planned walks These include the wishing well, (a Holy Well called Tobar na Splinne), Cromwell’s Bridge, Cabra Cottage – originally the residence of the Pratt family before they moved to Cabra Castle – the flax mill, the Lady’s Lake and an old ice house. The ruins of Fleming’s Castle can still be seen as well as Sarah’s Well. Sarah’s Bridge, built in 1801, is the starting point of many of the walks in the park. Car parking is also available. (source: http://www.coillte.ie)

Frog

Entrance fee per car is €4. But be aware that you can pay only in coins (€1 or €2) and there is nothing nearby to get a change.

Dun an Rí Photo Gallery

Dun an Rí Directions