Attractions and Places To See around Curragh - Top 19
Best attractions and places to see around Curragh include its expansive plains, significant historical sites, and rich equestrian heritage. The Curragh is a unique 5,000-acre lowland grassland, known for its natural beauty and as a key area for Ireland's horse racing. This region offers a blend of natural features, ancient monuments, and cultural sites, providing diverse opportunities for exploration. It is a destination where 19 hidden gems await discovery.
Best attractions and places to see around Curragh
- The most popular attractions is Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to Heaven), a trail that leads across impressive moorland to a summit with wide views. This trail is approximately 7.5 kilometers long and culminates at 665 meters above sea level.
- Another must-see spot is Cuilcagh Mountain Summit, a summit offering extensive views. Visitors can expect a challenging yet rewarding hike, including a steep ascent of 450 wooden steps to a viewing platform.
- Visitors also love Giant's Grave & Giant's Cave, a historical site featuring megalithic tombs. These ancient structures offer insights into early human activity and local legends.
- Curragh is known for its natural features, historical sites, and equestrian landmarks. The area provides a variety of attractions to see and explore, from vast grasslands to ancient monuments and military history.
- The attractions around Curragh are appreciated by the komoot community, with 29 upvotes and 51 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to Heaven)
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Follow a wooden walkway that leads across the impressive moorland and up to the summit plateau. From the end of the boardwalk, it's about two kilometers to the tomb.
From the summit you either hike on the Ulster Way towards Gortalughany or turn around.
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Cuilcagh Mountain Summit Cairn
Highlight • Summit
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Giant's Grave & Giant's Cave
Highlight • Historical Site
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Cuilcagh Mountain Park Car Park
Highlight • Parking
Parking fee of 5 GBP or 6 Euros must be paid in cash to the steward.
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Florence Court
Highlight • Forest
The house is now owned by the National Trust and is open to explore daily. For more information regarding opening times and ticket prices visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/florence-court
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Tips from the Community
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, affectionately known as the "Stairway to Heaven," offers a challenging yet rewarding hike through one of Northern Ireland's most stunning landscapes. Spanning approximately 11 km round-trip, the trail meanders through expansive blanket bogs before culminating in a steep ascent of 450 wooden steps to a viewing platform atop Cuilcagh Mountain. Hikers are treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lowlands, including glimpses of counties Cavan, Leitrim, and Donegal on clear days. While the boardwalk was constructed to protect the delicate bog ecosystem, it has also made the trail more accessible, attracting over 60,000 visitors annually.
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Great walk, very touristy but it's worth the detour! Be careful of the crowds (on weekends and in summer I dare not imagine!). However, BE CAREFUL, the summit is not accessible, you have to pass the protective barriers which allow the wild nature to be preserved from our steps and from this crowd of people. If we, the Komoot community, start to do this all the tourists will allow themselves and the landscape will never be so beautiful again! (Ps: no need to climb to the top to already see enough in the eyes!)
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Ideal starting point for the hike to the Stairway to Heaven, there are a total of 3 parking spaces available. Some spaces are reserved for larger vehicles/motorhomes; the steward will direct you when reversing. Parking fee of 5 GBP or 6 Euros must be paid in cash to the steward.
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Florence Court House is a magnificent 18th-century country estate situated in the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain. The house is amongst a medley of lush green parkland and thick woodland with sights of the wonderful Benaughlin Mountain in the distance. The house is now owned by the National Trust and is open to explore daily. For more information regarding opening times and ticket prices visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/florence-court
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Cuilcagh Mountain sits right on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. From the top, you can enjoy magnificent views across the rolling hills of Ireland in all directions.
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Florence Court House is a magnificent 18th-century country estate situated in the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain. The house is amongst a medley of lush green parkland and thick woodland with sights of the wonderful Benaughlin Mountain in the distance. The house is now owned by the National Trust and is open to explore daily. For more information regarding opening times and ticket prices visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/florence-court
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Strenuous but rewarding path on footbridges over the high moor. Pretty well known through insta, so sm best come first thing in the morning
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Many of Ireland’s megalithic monuments—portal tombs, court cairns, or wedge tombs such as this one—are known locally as “the giant’s grave.” But this one, on a hilltop in Co. Cavan’s Burren Forest Park, has a giant story to go along with its name. According to Harold Johnson, from the nearby town of Blacklion, the giant, attempting to impress a lady, failed in his final attempt to jump the nearby chasm, which is, of course, called “The Giant’s Leap.” Harold Johnson relates this story in some detail, while seated on the Giant’s Grave, in the video, below right. Mr. Johnson also was our guide, and provided the narration, for our feature on the Killinagh Cursing Stones, located on the opposite side of the town of Blacklion. (https://voicesfromthedawn.com/burren-giants-grave/)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural features can I explore around Curragh?
The Curragh Plains themselves are a vast 5,000-acre lowland grassland, ideal for walking, cycling, and birdwatching, offering stunning views. Nearby, you can visit Pollardstown Fen, Ireland's largest fen and a wetland site of international significance, known for its unique alkaline peatland ecosystem. For a more challenging natural experience, the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to Heaven) leads across impressive moorland to a summit with wide views, while the Cuilcagh Mountain Summit offers a rewarding hike with panoramic vistas.
Are there any historical sites or ancient monuments to visit in the Curragh area?
Yes, the Curragh is rich in history. You can explore numerous ancient monuments, including complex megalithic structures, barrows, and raths scattered across the plains. Gibbet Rath is a significant circular earthwork with a solemn history related to the 1798 Irish Rebellion. The Giant's Grave & Giant's Cave features intriguing megalithic tombs with local legends. Additionally, the Curragh Camp has been a military training ground since the 19th century, and its Military Museum details the area's military past.
What outdoor activities are popular around Curragh?
The expansive Curragh Plains are perfect for walking, cycling, and running. For more structured routes, you can find various options. For example, there are several road cycling routes, including a moderate 39 km loop around Florence Court. If you prefer running, the running trails include the moderate Florence Court Red Trail (8.5 km) and the challenging Cuilcagh Mountain Park running loop (21 km). For general cycling, explore cycling routes like the Kingfisher Cycle Trail - Northern Loop.
Are there family-friendly attractions near Curragh?
Yes, families can enjoy several attractions. Florence Court, an 18th-century country estate, offers over 10 miles of hiking and bike trails to explore its grounds, making it suitable for family outings. The Karibu Pet Farm is also mentioned as a place for animal lovers. The vast open spaces of the Curragh Plains are also great for family walks and picnics.
Where can I experience the equestrian heritage of the Curragh?
The Curragh is synonymous with horse racing. The Curragh Racecourse is a premier venue in Ireland, hosting all five classic races, including the prestigious Irish Derby. Nearby, the Irish National Stud, located adjacent to the Japanese Gardens, is a renowned center for horse breeding and training, offering insights into Ireland's equine culture.
What are some unique viewpoints in the Curragh area?
For panoramic views, the Cuilcagh Mountain Summit offers extensive vistas after a challenging hike. The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail also provides stunning views across the moorland. The Hill of Allen (Almhain), located north of the Curragh, is fabled as a mythical meeting place and likely offers good vantage points over the surrounding landscape.
What is the best time of year to visit Curragh for outdoor activities?
While the Curragh Plains are accessible year-round, the best time for outdoor activities like walking and cycling is generally during the drier and milder months, typically from late spring to early autumn (May to September). This period offers more pleasant weather for exploring the vast grasslands and trails. Always check local weather forecasts before your visit.
Is there parking available for trails and attractions?
Yes, for specific trails like the Stairway to Heaven, the Cuilcagh Mountain Park Car Park is an ideal starting point. It has spaces for various vehicles, including motorhomes, and a cash parking fee applies. For other areas of the Curragh Plains, parking availability may vary, so it's advisable to check specific access points.
Are there any accessible attractions around Curragh?
The Cuilcagh Mountain Park Car Park is noted as wheelchair accessible, serving as a starting point for the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail. While the boardwalk itself involves steps, the initial sections and the car park offer accessibility. The vast, flat nature of parts of the Curragh Plains may also offer accessible areas for gentle strolls.
What can I expect from the Curragh Military Museum?
Located within the historic Curragh Camp, the Military Museum provides a detailed look at the area's military history. It covers everything from prehistoric times and the British presence to the modern Irish Defence Forces. You'll find exhibits on archaeology, local flora and fauna, and a collection of military artifacts.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Curragh?
Visitors particularly appreciate the natural beauty and the sense of openness offered by the Curragh Plains. The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail is highly praised for its 'strenuous but rewarding path on footbridges over the high moor' and the 'wonderful moor landscape'. The historical sites, like the Giant's Grave & Giant's Cave, are valued for their ancient structures and intriguing legends.
Can I find places to eat or stay near the Curragh?
The Curragh is easily accessible from nearby towns like Kildare Town and Newbridge. Both towns offer a range of amenities, including various cafes, pubs, and accommodation options. These towns provide convenient bases for exploring the Curragh and its surrounding attractions.
Most popular attractions around Curragh
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