Knockranny Woods, Roscommon

Hike: Knockranny Woods, Roscommon. A stretch of mixed woodland on the shore of Lough Meelagh, Knockranny is a favourite recreation spot for locals. There’s a short loop walk through the trees, and the forest is intersected by the 118km-long Miner’s Way and Historical Trail. The best option is to follow the purple loop to the shore, then join the Miner’s Way and continue west along the water’s edge. After 2km or so, turn around and retrace your steps back to the purple loop, and complete the southern half of this back to the car park. Lough Meelagh is famous for its crannógs, which date from early Christian times, and St Ronan and St Lasair are said to be buried on Orchard Island. Add a Neolithic court tomb, a floating jetty and picnic benches, and the attractions for walkers and families are clear.

Start and Finish at: Car park at Knockranny Woods.

Get there: From Carrick-on-Shannon, follow the R280 and R284 north to Keadew. The forest is signed to the left just past the village.

Length / Time: 5km /1½-2 hours.

Pack: A forest map from coillte.ie/site/knockranny, and a tree-spotter’s instinct to identify the varied species in the woods.

Refuel at: Jinny’s Bakery and Tearooms in Drumshanbo (jinnys.ie) for brunch or lunch; Kilronan Castle (kilronancastle.ie) at Castletenison Demesne for the full spread.