In this At a Glance with Glenveagh we take a look at some things to do in Maynooth this weekend, from meeting meerkats to enjoying a free music session in the town.
Weekend Stroll in Donadea Forest Park
A short drive from Maynooth will bring you to Donadea Forest Park, a wonderful Coillte site covering over 600 acres of trees and parkland. There are lots of different walks to take within the park, including the Alymer loop, named after the family who owned the estate in the early part of the 20th century. The lake walk is great for kids where they can spot ducks and other birds along the way; the lake itself is over five and half acres in size and it's picture perfect. This walk is fully accessible and takes about 30 minutes to complete. You can also choose Slí na Sláinte which has short, medium and long routes, the longest being jsut over 4.6km long. The forest park is a great spot for a weekend stroll.
Donadea Forest Park has a number of points of interest along the way, from the castle ruin to the lime tree avenue and St. Peter's Church to the 9/11 Memorial. The park also has a café serving teas, coffee and snacks. Entrance to the car park is €5 (card only) or you can buy an annual Coillte pass for €50, which gives you entry to all of their car parks where charges apply. For more information check out the Coillte website.
Acoustic Session at The Roost
This Friday night the Celtic All Stars play in the front bar of the Roost, Maynooth. The duo, Ross and David, bring a modern twist to some folk and trad classics, while also adding in contemporary tunes along the way. Seasoned musicians and multi-instrumentalists, they are well worth a look.
The Celtic All Stars play the Roost this Friday 28th February from 9:00 p.m. and admission is free.
Family Day Out at Clonfert Pet Farm
Just over a ten-minute drive from the Main Street in Maynooth is Clonfert Pet Farm. It's definitely a lot more than your ordinary pet zoo as there are over 60 types of animals to see there, from meerkats to wallabies and even some monkeys. The farm is a perfect for a day out this weekend; family tickets for four people are €22.50 online so it's good value too.
If the wonderful group of animals from all over the world isn't enough, there is also an outdoor play area and indoor soft play area along walkways and even some mini golf. There is also a picnic area for the sunnier days. The Birdhouse Café also serves up breakfast, lunch and pizzas and you can pick up local produce in Barn Farm Shop.
For opening times, booking and information on events, check out
Just a few of the fun things you can do in and near Maynooth this weekend.