Extend your Center Parcs Holiday
Center Parcs Longford Forest is located in the idyllic Newcastle Woods, just outside Ballymahon in County Longford. The first and only Center Parcs in Ireland, the resort boasts the country's largest water park, and has 470 lodges and 30 apartments on over 400 acres of countryside woodland.
Before or after you visit Center Parcs, you can extend your holiday and get the most out of the local area. Take a look at what you might get up to!
Where to stay
Stay in the centre of Ballymahon at Skelly's Bar, Restaurant and Guesthouse, with its traditional charm.
If you want the privacy of having the entire place to yourself, families and smaller groups should look at The Loft or the the Self catering two bedroom house in Foygh, Kenagh. Larger groups should consider The Stables.
Looking for a heritage stay, take a look at Newcastle House and Castlecor House, both in Ballymahon.
Where to eat
Ballymahon has some great places for the foodies! Start your day or grab lunch with excellent coffee, parties and more in the trendy Wilder & Gold. Enjoy good food, good service and good times at Jolly Boys Pizza and Grill.
If you fancy traditional Irish home cooking, visit Cooney's Bar and Restaurant. You can also enjoy the food, drinks and craic at Skelly's Bar and Restaurant.
See and Do
Ballymahon is perfect for an active stay. Enjoy the trails of Newcastle Woods, a mixed woodland of 325 hectares with 14km of walkways and plenty of wildlife to explore.
You can kayak on the River Inny, where you can expect to see wildlife and great scenery on one of Ireland's cleanest rivers. You can also take a supervised and leisurely kayaking trip on the Royal Canal with Alan's Yippee Kayaking.
There are so many options for both the keen and casual cyclists among us. Voted the best greenway in Europe, the Royal Canal Greenway is easily accessible from Ballymahon.
Hire a bike from Ballymahon Greenway Cycles - their location makes them a great place from which to start your journey on the Royal Canal Greenway.
South Longford Cycling Route A3. This loop starts and ends in Ballymahon and takes in Barry, Colehill, Carrick and Abbeyshrule. You will be cycling along the Royal Canal for most of the way and see Newcastle Woods on the banks of the River Inny. You can also make your way to Pallas, the birthplace of poet Oliver Goldsmith.