Castlecomer Discovery Park
| County: | Co. Kilkenny |
| Tel: | 056 - 4440707 |
| Fax: | 056 - 4440628 |
| Email: | info@discoverypark.ie |
Discover a world where prehistoric amphibians swim and walk through enormous swamp forests, where giant insects fly through the treetops and giant millipedes crawl through ferns and mosses.
Discover the coal formed from those forests and the skeletons of those early amphibians preserved for 300 million years. Discover the men who worked the coal seams and those who brought the fossils to light. Come to Castlecomer Discovery Park to discover all this and more.
Castlecomer Discovery Park is a wonderful forest multi-activity park. It occupies 80 acres of mixed woodland and boasts 6km of walking trails, two Rainbow Trout Angling Lakes, a children's adventure playground, picnic areas and a 'craft yard' but it is the exhibition centre and the 'Footprints in Coal' focuses on two distinct but interlinked eras of Castlecomer's History - the formation of coal during the Carboniferous period about 300 million years ago and the coal mining industry that came much later.
General Information
| Address: | Castlecomer Demesne Copmany Limited, The Estate Yard, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 056 - 4440707 |
| Fax: | 056 - 4440628 |
| Email: | info@discoverypark.ie |
| Website: | http://www.discoverypark.ie |
| Location: | 15kms North of Kilkenny City on the N78 just outside Castlecomer Town |
| Season: | Open all year |
| Open Times: | May-Aug: 09.30-17.30 Sept, Oct, Mar, Apr: 10.00-17.00 Nov-Feb: 10.30-16.30 |
| Booking Contact: | info@discoverypark.ie |
| Manager: | Sandra Mc Grath |
| Average Visit Length: | 2-4 Hours (Including exhibiton visit, woodland walks, angling, schools, science programme) |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult €8.00 OAP/Student €6.00 Child €5.00 Family €20.00 (2A+2C) (Exhibition Only) Additional charges for educational programmes |
| Exhibition: | Interactive Multi-Media display tracing the history of coal formation and mining: models, displays, fossils, artefacts and audio-visual presentations |
| Restaurant: | Yes, Home baked food a speciality |
| Picnic Area: | Yes |
| Shop: | Gift Shop and Craft Yard |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Education
The main attraction at Castlecomer Discovery Park is the ‘Footprints in Coal’ exhibition. ‘Footprints in Coal’ is an interactive multimedia exhibition focusing on the geology of coal formation in Castlecomer 300 million years ago, the fossils that were found in the mines and the history of coal mining in the area. Castlecomer Discovery Park is a designated Primary Science Centre
Our Primary Science Day is suitable for all ages at primary school level and is directly linked to the Primary School Science and Geography curricula. The programme lasts approximately four hours including a break for lunch.Activities can include a visit to the ‘Footprints in Coal’ exhibition, collection and investigation of minibeasts, and a Discovery Trail around the parkland and woodlands with associated games and activities
Conference & Incentive
One of the most picturesque towns in a picturesque county, Castlecomer has taken advantage of a unique piece of woodland to create an exciting new visitor attraction with a difference. This venue may be used for small to medium sized groups and functions. The spectacular interpretative centre entrance is ideal for exhibitions, receptions and product launches while the Jarrow Café is available for corporate lunches and dinners. The education room is ideal for workshops, meetings, poetry readings and visiting lectures. The extensive woodland trails,lakeshore walks, fishing lakes and picnic areas lend themselves to imaginative corporate events and activities. A calender of events is in place throughout the year
Creative Stone Carving Course
Creative Willow Course - Tutor Heike Kahle
Date: 7th August 2010
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Cost: €70 per person
Spend a day learning a traditional skill and bring home a beautiful willow basket. Get to know basic basketry techniques in a small group under the tuition of Heike Kahle, an experienced basket maker and teacher. All materials and tools provided. Classes are suitable for both beginners and those wishing to improve their skills.
Heike trained as a basketmaker 17 years ago. At Baurnafea WillowWorks she creates a large selection of traditional and contemporary willow baskets, produces woven garden structures and reseats chairs with different materials. Living willow structures like woven fences, tunnels and arbours can be commissioned. Heike greatly enjoys teaching basket making skills hosting both day courses and evening classes. The course fee is €70 per participant which is payable in advance. Places are limited so early booking is advised.
For further information on either of the courses above, please contact Castlecomer Discovery Park on 056 444 0707 or by email at info(at)discoverypark.ie
Events
August
Sculpture Festival – Dates to be decided in conjunction with Kilkenny Arts Festival
21st - 29th – Heritage Week 2010
Watch out for a list of Heritage Week Activities taking place in the Demesne during this national heritage event. Deerpark mine tour. Bat Walk with local Wildlife Ranger Lorcan Scott.
October
7th – National Tree Day - Tree trail through the woodlands.
9th & 16th – Pre-Halloween ‘Witch School’
Scarecrows, brooms, bats and cats, potions, and much much more…….Join the pre-Halloween workshops each Saturday morning from 11.00am to 1.00pm. Learn the basics of training to be a witch and earn your beginners certificate at the end of each workshop. Charge applies. All materials included. Book early to avoid disappointment as we only have limited space.
28th-31st – Halloween ‘House of Horrors’ at Castlecomer Discovery Park
Castlecomer Discovery Park invites all ‘ghouls and gremlins, witches and warlocks, demons and scary creatures’ to come to a ‘hair-raising’ Halloween experience in the Visitor Centre from Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st October, 11.00am to 5.00pm daily. Inside this house of horrors, anything can happen. Be prepared for shocks and screams as you negotiate the pitch dark tunnels filled with witches, ghosts and other foul creatures. Hear about Halloween past and join in some Halloween fun and games. Come prepared to join in all the activities no matter how bizarre, but don’t come alone. You’ll need your family or friends for back-up. Among the other spine chilling, fearful features during the Discovery Parks Halloween Events there is an opportunity for young and old to come face to face with snakes and other creatures, as visitors will be offered an opportunity to view these creatures up close and personal! Admission charges apply.
Ghost train through the woodlands on 30th & 31st October at 7.00pm, 8.00pm and 9.00pm each evening. Pre booking essential.
November
7th-14th – Science Week
Display of Science Experiments in the foyer of the Visitor Centre. A Coalminers Christmas Fundraiser – date to be decided
December
The Santa Experience – Each Thursday though to Sunday in December
Visit Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and friends in their indoor grotto in the Visitor Centre at Castlecomer Discovery Park. It’s a magical experience for young and old! Charge applies. Also enjoy our winter wonderland with woodland walks and trails to explore. If you are lucky you may even see Rudolph in the Walled Garden! As an alternative you can explore the woodlands from the Christmas carriage which takes trips around the woodlands. There’s lots happening at Castlecomer Discovery Park this Christmas so book early to avoid disappointment.
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