2011 Family Day (2 May, 10am to 6pm) in Ardgillan Castle, Skerries North Dublin

THIS year’s Family Day on 2 May 2011 (10am to 6pm, free entrance) will be many ways different but in some ways the same as we are going to Skerries Co. Dublin for the first time and experience the country with a grandview of the beach. We are still going to the North of Dublin and we are still doing a lot of BBQs and outdoor games. The kids (and adults alike) will certainly enjoy the grand playground and our youth would love the parks, gardens and walk paths. The adults will surely like to have a tour of the castle and its grounds. Watch out for bigfoot!
Ardgillan Castle and Demesne is situated in North County Dublin on an elevated coastline between Balbriggan and Skerries, 20 miles north of Dublin City. The demesne is well signposted off the M1.

Let’s have a fun Family Day on 2 May. Don’t forget those BBQ grills!

The park consists of 194 acres of rolling open grassland, mixed woodland and gardens, overlooking the Irish Sea with views of Mourne Mountains to the north and Lambay to the south-east. Ardgillan is a sanctuary for many species of animals, mammals and birds for which the wooded areas provide a safe retreat from surrounding agricultural land.

Ardgillan Demesne Regional Park
* The park covers an area of 81 ha. (200 acres).
* The parkland is a mixture of wild woodland walks, sheltered picnic areas, and rolling lawns and meadows.
* There are dramatic panoramic views towards the Mourne mountains and the north Dublin coastline.
* The park is dominated by Ardgillan Castle which includes a coffee shop and exhibitions.
* The restored Walled garden includes a formal herb garden, formal vegetable potager, extensive ornamental plant collection and a small museum of gardening located in the rebuilt potting sheds.
* Other important attractions include the formal Rose Garden, The National Plant Collection of Shrubby Potentillas with 200 varieties, A large restored Victorian Conservatory and an Herbaceous Border.
* An Ardgillan Gardens brochure with details of the park is available from Fingal County Council Parks Division, County Hall Swords, Co. Dublin. Tel (01) 890 5630.

Getting There:
* The Park is located between Skerries and Balbriggan
* By Car. Signposted from the M1/N1 Dublin-Belfast road to Balbriggan. L Drivers take R132 from the Dublin Airport (take right on the roundabout via Swords, then Balbriggan), then R127 going to Skerries
* By Bus: Bus 33 from Eden Quay in Dublin city centre. The bus passes under Ladies Stairs footbridge entrance to the Park.

Opening Hours:

The park is open all year round during the following hours:

November to January: 10.00am – 5.00pm
February to March 10.00am – 6.00pm
April 10.00am – 7.00pm
May 10.00am – 8.00pm
June to August 10.00am – 9.00pm
September 10.00am – 8.00pm
October 10.00am – 7.00pm