Some Perfect Strolls to Take at Carton

There are some great spots for a wander in Maynooth, from the college grounds to canal walks and beyond. One place worth a visit for an amble in nature is Carton House. Once the ancestral seat of the Earls of Kildare, it now hosts a luxury hotel on its 1,100 acres and it's a perfect place for springtime strolls along one of its walking trails. You can of course wander the walkways at your pace and direction, but the trails provide you with a variety of sights and surroundings and their distances are measured, so you can choose a short stroll or slightly longer walk through the grounds.

The Red Walk is a 3km wander by some of Carton's distinct buildings looping back to the formal gardens. It takes in the boathouse and lake (a spot loved by photographers) and Tyrconnell Tower, a folly originally built by the 1st Earl of Tyrconnell. This walk has a gentle slope to the tower, so it's not too taxing and perfect for a springtime stroll.

The Yellow Walk takes in 6.5km of pathways and semi-wild walks, so make sure to have good footwear on. You'll pass through wooded areas and by the native tree plantation. The walk brings you along the periphery of the estate and back in along the lake edge.

If you're coming from Maynooth town centre on foot, then go to the end of the main street in the Leixlip/Dublin direction, where you'll see a long avenue. Walk along this avenue and it will lead you directly to a pedestrian entry to Carton, where you can enjoy a stroll. It takes around 20 minutes from Maynooth Main Street to the gates of Carton.

Nature Spotting in Carton

Carton demesne is a haven for all sorts of wildlife, so keep an eye out along your walk. The lake is where you'll see swans, herons, cormorants and even kingfishers. Overhead it's not uncommon to see falcons, hawks and buzzards. Take a stroll down by Tom's Weir and you may even see otters who have made the place home. By the native tree plantation you might also come across deer grazing. There is also a special area of conservation at Carton, where you can see a wide range of exotic plants and trees brought by botanists to the estate over the centuries.

Wherever you walk at Carton House there is the opportunity to spot flora and fauna, giving added interest to your walk. For maps and routes visit the Carton House website.