Alymer Walk- Donadea Forest Park

Suits: Buggies, toddlers and multi-access.

Hike: Walkers in this northwest Kildare beauty spot are greeted by the imposing ruins of an ivy-clad castle that will set children’s imaginations racing. Three looped trails include the short, wheelchair-accessible lake walk, wrapping around a serene lake frequented by ducks and waterhens. There’s a nature trail with stops (1.6 km) and the 5.7km Aylmer Walk weaves through the whole park. Once home to the Aylmers, you’ll discover remains of the family’s walled garden, ice house, boathouse and St Peter’s church, as well as a handsome avenue of lime trees. Hidden in the woods is the striking 9/11 Memorial, a scaled limestone replica of New York’s Twin Towers, dedicated to a young firefighter, Sean Tallon, whose family emigrated from Donadea. – JB

Start and Finish at: The forest car park.

Level: Easy.

Length / Time: From 1km to 10km; 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.

Pack: Oats, rice or sweetcorn — not bread! — to feed the birds at the lake.