Location: Ards Forest Park is located 5km north of Creeslough on the N56 to Dunfanaghy. Map Grid reference C 06 45.
Facilities: At Ards Forest Park you can enjoy many forest walks, a car park and a children's play area. It also has many features of historical and archaeological interest. The remains of four ringforts are to be seen in the park as well as a number of megalithic tombs - legend has it that these were the beds of Diarmuid and Grainne in their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill. A Holy Well - the Ague Well - which is reputed to have curative powers, can be seen on Bealach na hArdaigh Walk. On the same walk there is a Mass Rock where Mass was celebrated in defiance of the Penal Laws. There are numerous viewing points on the walks and trails with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Forest Walks: There are a number of signposted walks incorporating the main features of the park. These include the Ards Heritage Trail which is 3.5km long, the Nature Trail and the Green trail which are both 3km long and the Red Trail which is 13km long. This walk does incorporate some provision for shortcuts back to the starting point should the weather turn. A booklet on all of these walks is available at Coillte offices in Donegal, just email Michéal McFadden to request a copy.
Habitat: The park is situated on the shores of Sheephaven Bay on the rugged Donegal coastline. Uniquely amongst Coillte's parks it incorporates a sandy beach, rocky shoreline and a diversity of habitats. Natural and Heritage Areas and a Special Area of Conservation enhance its special ecological and wildlife value.
Tree Species: The broadleaved woodlands although small in area are important if only because of their location as some of the northerly semi-natural woodland in the country. The main broadleaf block consists of sessile oak, ash, birch and rowan with occasional yew, hawthorn and elm - all native trees. Spanish chestnut, sycamore and beech are common introductions. Conifers in the park include Sitka spruce, noble fir, lodgepole pine, Western hemlock, silver fir, Scots pine, European larch (the remnants of old plantings) and Corsican pine.
Biodiversity: Flora - Hazel, rhododendron, holly, blackberry and bramble are common at the shrub layer, while the herb layer is rich in many species, flowering plants and especially ferns. Lough Lilly is an area of interest to the naturalist. A small fen has developed at the western end of the lake where approximately half the surface area is covered with white and yellow water lilies. Near the shore the fen is in a transitional stage of development into raised bog. The main lakeshore species include various grasses, sedges and ferns.
Fauna: The red squirrel, field mouse, rabbit, hare and hedgehog can all be found in Ards Forest Park. Among the carnivores the fox, badger, stoat and otter can be spotted. The Park also provides a unique opportunity for observing many of Ireland's birds within the confines of a relatively small area and in such diverse habitats as broadleaf and conifer woodland, saltmarsh, sand dunes, seashore, river and estuary.
History: In the Plantation of Ulster, which followed the flight of the Earls in 1607, the lands of Ards and the surrounding territory were granted by the British Crown to Turlough Ó O Boyle on the condition of his continuing loyalty. Following that family's part on the Irish side in the 1641 Insurrection, the O Boyles lost their lands, which by 1700 had passed to the Wray family. The latter remained in possession until 1782 when the lands were sold to Alexander Stewart, brother of the then Marquis of Londonderry. The Stewart family held Ards until 1926, and the Irish Land Commission finally broke the great estate up following its acquisition of the land.