Recreation Sites

Massy's Estate

Stay Safe in the Outdoors - Guidelines for Exercising in the Outdoors Level 5

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Site Name

Massy's Estate

National Grid Reference

O 120 238 Understanding grid references

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series:

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.

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.

Car-Parking is located at the adjacent Hell Fire Club.

Features:

Picnic Site
Walking Trails
Waymarked Trails
Arboreta/Gardens
Special Trees
Permanent Orienteering
Nature Trail

Toilets: none on the site.

Activities:

Walking/Hiking, orienteering, nature trail

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 use the Hell Fire Car Park and note its opening hours and check notice of closing time before leaving the car park for Massy's.(please refrain from parking on the road). 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)