Walks: Cabinteely Park, Co Dublin

Near Cornelscourt and Cabinteely village, a park of about 45 hectares is an oasis in suburbia. In 1984, the county council acquired part of estate lands owned by Joe McGrath of Sweepstakes fame and fortune. The parkland around Cabinteely House retains the English-style landscape features of such Georgian properties, including informal groups of trees which create depth and perspective.

There are short strolls through the park but, for a longer walk, follow the boundary walls. Selective tree felling has opened up views over the suburbs, city and bay. In a project inspired by the Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte, trees were recently planted in groves. One of their titles, Every Day – Gach Lá, is apt for walkers. The project's aim is to fund tree-planting through art sales.

Beyond the walled garden, the artistic theme is expressed through workshops in the restored cow byre and grain loft, which has been converted to the Grainstore Youth Arts Centre. The county council is renovating the main house for cultural and community use.

The park has many recreational amenities, including football pitches and a specially-designed adventure playground for children of various age groups. Most paths suit buggies and wheelchairs.

TONY QUINN

∏More www.dlrcoco.ie, www.dlrtourism.com Access from N11 near Dunnes, Cornelscourt and the old Bray road. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County map. Foxrock & Cabinteely Memoirs, compiled by Liam Clare and Padraig Laffan