National park · Ireland
Lough Key
Visit Lough Key for a short walk: pay the free entry, follow the 3 km (1.9 mi) loop trail to the island viewpoint (≈45 min), or take the longer 7 km (4.3 mi) lakeside hike (≈2 h) in May–Sep; avoid peak weekends in July‑August.Visit Lough Key for a short walk: pay the free entry, follow the 1.9 mi (3 km) loop trail to the island viewpoint (≈45 min), or take the longer 4.3 mi (7 km) lakeside hike (≈2 h) in May–Sep; avoid peak weekends in July‑August.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
- West Ireland ↗Drive on the left; minor roads are narrow and slow — plan 50 km/h average, not 80.
- West Ireland ↗Fill up in towns; outside Galway city, fuel and charging points are sparse.
- County Roscommon ↗A car is the practical way to reach Rathcroghan, Lough Key and the rural pubs; trains and Local Link buses cover the towns only.
- County Roscommon ↗Drive on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedgerows and few footpaths.
At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Area
- 3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
- The park covers about 800 acres (≈3.2 km²) around the lake, including the island, visitor centre and surrounding woodlands (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Boyle
Lough Key Park offers short, well‑marked lakeside walks with historic ring forts, a footbridge to an island viewpoint, and easy bird‑watching, all with free entry and basic facilities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²) · national park since 2020
The park covers about 800 acres (≈3.2 km²) around the lake, including the island, visitor centre and surrounding woodlands (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Boyle.
Why go
- Short, well‑marked lakeside walks with historic ring forts.
- Scenic island viewpoint reachable by footbridge.
- Bird‑watching and gentle wildlife spotting.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, quiet
- FebCool, few visitors
- MarEarly spring, blossoms
- AprMild, longer daylight
- MayWarm, dry, best for walking
- JunWarm, low rain
- JulCrowds, occasional rain
- AugCrowds, heat spikes
- SepCooler, fewer tourists
- OctCool, leaf colour
- NovCool, quiet
- DecCold, quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl (swans, ducks)Mar–Oct · Often seen on the lake shore. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| KingfisherMay–Sep · Look near reeds. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main car park | Visitor information board, toilets, short loop trail to island. | Open year‑round. |
| Island trail | Footbridge to island with viewpoint and historic ring fort. | Open; trail maintained. |
| Lakeside long walk | 7 km (4.3 mi) path around the lake, passes several ring forts.4.3 mi (7 km) path around the lake, passes several ring forts. | Open; may be muddy after rain. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the main visitor car park; island and forts are nearby.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free access to trails and visitor centre (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash in the car park and on trails.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; use designated campsites nearby.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided bins for waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Boyle town
B&Bs, guesthouses and a few hotels within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the park.B&Bs, guesthouses and a few hotels within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the park.
Near the park
Lough Key Lakeside campsite
Pitch‑and‑post site 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the main car park (check).Pitch‑and‑post site 1.2 mi (2 km) south of the main car park (check).
Safety
Muddy paths after rain low
Cold water low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main car park and short loop are wheelchair‑friendly with firm surfaces.
- Island footbridge has steps; not fully accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all litter; use recycling bins at the car park.
- Support local B&Bs in Boyle rather than large chains.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lough Key?
Entry is free; no ticket is required for the trails or visitor centre.
What are the best hikes in Lough Key?
The 3 km island loop (≈45 min) is ideal for families; the 7 km lakeside circuit (≈2 h) offers historic ring forts and birdwatching.
When is the best time to visit Lough Key?
May to September gives the warmest, driest weather and the longest daylight for walking.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Yes, on a leash on all marked trails and in the car park.
Can I camp inside Lough Key?
Camping is not permitted within the park; use nearby campsites such as the Lough Key Lakeside site.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Sources
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