Recreation in the Valley:

The Liffey Valley offers a great variety of recreational facilities and resources to suit all tastes, ages, energy levels and seasons. Click here to read about some of the great houses open to the public and archaelogical remains and sites situated in the valley.

Walking is the most popular activity along the river valley. The public parks and canal towpaths offer a variety of walking routes.

The LVPA organises a series of walks each summer through the valley, providing access to the valley off the beaten track. However througout the year one can independently wander casually or more energetically through the many public parklands along the Liffey, for example Lucan Demense, The Memorial Park, Castletown House, or the Phoenix Park, ( Europe's largest urban park).

We would also encourage you to explore some of the walks proposed in the recently published book "Treasures of Lucan"

Canoeing and Boating:

The river is used for both canoeing and rowing with canoe clubs at Leixlip and Lucan and the Irish Canoeing Centre on the Strawberry Beds. The fine series of weirs together with Leixlip Resevoir provides a world class course for the annual Liffey Descent, an annual 17km canoe race down the liffey from Straffan to Islandbridge. Check out our Gallery for photos of the 2008 race.  At Islandbridge seven boat clubs regularly organise regattas.

Angling and The Natural Environment:

Angling for trout and salmon is a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike. The local angling clubs and societies organise events which attract widespread support. A commercial angling facility has been recently established at Carton, Maynooth.The abundance of wildlife in the valley provides naturalists ( amateur and professional alike ) with an excellent opportunity to view a variety of animal, bird and reptile species at close quarters in their natural environments.Check out our Gallery for photos of the valley's natural treasures, and read about some of the rare species of flora and fauna by clicking here.

Tourism

The Strawberry Beds have attracted tourists for centuries. In the 19th century a steam tram brought Dubliners to Lucan to drink the waters of its spa and to walk in Lucan Demesne to the great waterfall at Leixlip.                           Pictured below: The Spa Hotel, Lucan as it was:

The LVPA believe the creation of a protected Liffey Valley Park would be an invaluable tourist attraction, situated right on the doorstep or our capital city, not to mention an invaluable resource for residents in the adjacent counties.

                     

Today a range of fine hotels, restaurants and bars from Islandbridge to Straffan welcome the visitor to the Liffey Valley, offering accommodation, food, drink and entertainment. Lucan partly owes its development to the sulphur spring discovered near the Liffey. The County Bar building was the first hotel. The arrival of a steam tram, and the pumping of the spring water up from the well, allowed the Spa Hotel to develop in the late 19th century. Picture of the hotel as it was, pictured above.

Hotels:                                                                                            

Golf Clubs:

Hermitage

Luttrellstown

Westmanstown

Luan

Liffey Valley Par 3, Lucan

Elm Hall Celbridge

Carton

K Club

Pictured Opposite:

Aerial View of the K Club, courtesy of Aishling Conway

Adventure Sports, Team Building Exercises and Family Fun Days Out:

Adventure sports activities in Carton House, provide for an exciting if exhausting day out for the more intrepid, see pictures below.

Fort Lucan also providing a natural fun fair for families and individuals of all ages and energy levels.

There are clubs catering for Gaelic Games, soccer, rugby, golf, pitch and putt, par 3 golf and a driving range.At Straffan there is a Steam Museum, Butterfly Farm and Open farm for all the family.

Celbridge Mill houses a community centre and a variety of craft activities while the Anna Liffey Mills (formerly known as Shackleton's Mill ) in the Strawberry Beds are to be developed by Fingal County Council as a heritage Centre.

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