Donard Forest
{{Short description|Forest in Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox forest
| name =Donard Forest
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| photo =A path in Donard Forest, Newcastle (2) - geograph.org.uk - 467058.jpg
| photo_caption =A path within Donard Forest
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| map =Northern Ireland
|relief=yes
| map_caption = Location of Donard Forest
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| coords = {{coord|54.203|N|5.902|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| county = Down
| region = Northern Ireland
| country =United Kingdom
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| area = {{convert|296.82|ha}}
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| authority = Forest Service Northern Ireland
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Donard Forest is located near Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland. It borders Donard Park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. The Glen River flows through the forest where it is crossed by three stone bridges. The north east section of the forest contains a Heritage Stand of Scots and Corsican pine planted in 1927. A south east section, beside the Glen River, was the former site of Donard Lodge, built in the 1830s and later demolished. There are a number of exotic trees in the area surrounding the site of the house, including Giant Redwoods and Monkey Puzzles.
Location
The forest borders Donard Park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. The Glen River flows through the forest where it is crossed by three stone bridges. The north east section of the forest contains a Heritage Stand of Scots and Corsican pine planted in 1927.{{cite web |title=Donard Forest |url=http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/donard-forest |accessdate=17 December 2014 |publisher=NI Direct}}{{Cite web |last=Trust |first=Woodland |title=Donard Forest |url=https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/donard-forest/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Woodland Trust |language=en-GB}} There are a number of waterfalls and cascades on the river. Access to the park is from the Donard car park in Newcastle. There are no recreational facilities in the park, and no cycling.
History
A south east section, beside the Glen River, was the former site of Donard Lodge. The lodge was built in the 1830s by the Annesley family and demolished in 1966 after falling into ruin.{{cite book |author=Carson, Charles J. T. |title=Technology and the Big House in Ireland, C. 1800-c. 1930 |publisher=Cambria Press |year=2009 |isbn=9781604976359 |pages=123–124}} A small brick and stone ice house near the river remains, having been used to store fish and ice for the lodge.{{Cite web |last=Hackett |first=Horticulture with |date=2017-02-03 |title=Donard Forest. |url=https://medium.com/@hortwithhackett/donard-forest-72fc91c9242b |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Medium |language=en}} The Annesleys planted a number of exotic trees in the area surrounding the house, including Giant Redwoods and Monkey Puzzles.
Wildlife
A wide range of birds are found in the forest, and it is also home to the Holly Blue butterfly.
File:Donard Forest, Newcastle (4) - geograph.org.uk - 640714.jpg|Stone Shelter within Donard Forest
File:Newcastle and the Mournes - geograph.org.uk - 562181.jpg|Donard Forest as seen from Newcastle Promenade
References
{{reflist}}
{{Forests and woodlands of Northern Ireland}}