Recreation Sites

Massy's Estate

Site Name 

Massy's Estate

 

National Grid Reference

O 120 238   Understanding grid references

 

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series:

50

 

Location

The Massy’s Estate is located on the foot of the Dublin Mountains, only a half hour bus or car journey's time from the centre of Dublin.  Download location map

 

How do I get there?

The easiest way is to get to the Hell Fire Club car park, which is on the opposite site of the R115 road to Glencullen, about 6.5km south of Rathfarnham.

 

The Dublin Mountaineer bus serves this forest recreation area (Hell Fire bus stop) on weekends and bank holidays.  Click here to find out more information on the bus.

 

Features:

 

Activities:

  • Walking/Hiking, orienteering

 

Site Description

Massy’s Estate is one of the most popular amenities around Dublin because of its visual and recreational value. It offers a vast ecological resource of flora, wildlife, tree species, estate artefacts and items of geological interest.  The major forest road goes around the wood and it is called the Nature Trail.   There are also many smaller tracks and shortcuts crossing the forest and all these paths lead to the main road.

 

A magnificent mansion once stood on this site and the remains of garden walls are still visible today. In the late 1930s, the Director of Forestry in Ireland, a German forester, Otto Reinard, laid out this area as an urban forest. A variety of European, American and Asian tree species was planted creating a perfect environment for many plants and animals (Sika deer, badger, grouse, red squirrel, fox, birds).

 

The walking paths are easy for walkers with the main forest road easily accessible for children and people with lower level of fitness.

 

Visitors should note that the Hell Fire Car Park has limited opening hours (weekends and Bank holidays only from 11-5pm).  Waterproof clothing, especially boots, may be helpful on a rainy day. 

 

Recreation sites which you can access from here are:
Hell Fire Club
Cruagh Wood

 

Massy's Estate Trail(s)

 

For more information on all Coillte’s recreational sites visit www.coillteoutdoors.ie

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