About Your Visit

How to get here:

Coole Park Nature Reserve is located in South County Galway just 4km north-west of the town of Gort. We are easily accessible and signposted from Exit 16 on the M18 motorway or by inputting our postcode (H91 HF5X) into your GPS device.

Distances:

  • Gort: 4 km/3 miles
  • Galway: 35 km/22 miles
  • Ennis: 30 km/18 miles
  • Limerick: 65 km/40 miles on M18 at Gort
  • Dublin: 205 km/127 miles

By Train:

The Limerick/Galway train service operates through Gort. You will then need to organise a taxi from Gort to Coole Park – approximately 4 kilometres.

 

Coole Park Nature Reserve Opening Times 2025

  • Coole Park Visitor Centre: open DAILY – 10am – 5pm
  • Coole Park Tearooms: open Wednesday – Sunday from 10am – 4.30pm
  • Toilet facilities: open DAILY from 8am – 5pm
  • Car parks and trails: open DAILY  Summer: 08.00 to 19.30 (during Daylight Savings Time) Winter:  08.00 to 18.00

 

Things to be aware of when visiting…

Planning an event or visit?

All organized events, tour groups, school groups and commercial activities within Coole Park require a Permit or completion of a Booking Form.

At Coole Park Nature Reserve we offer a range of programmes for schools, special public events and guided walks for groups.  

For booking or permit enquiries, please contact us by email at coolepark@npws.gov.ie  

Coole Park Nature Reserve Environmental Policy Statement

Dogs

Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead please in ALL areas of the park. All dog waste should be picked up and removed in accordance with our Leave No Trace policy.

Foraging and Collecting

Foraging or removal of any materials from the park is not permitted without Ministerial consent.

Fires & Barbecues

Fires and barbecues are not permitted.

Lyme Disease

For more information see: Health Protection Surveillance Centre Lyme disease page http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vectorborne/lymedisease/informationforthepublic/

Drone Usage

The NPWS does not allow the usage of drones on their properties unless specific permission has been granted to do so. For further information on the national regulations and guidance pertaining to the operation of Drones (Small Unmanned Aircraft), please refer to the following online resources:

Contact Us

National Parks & Wildlife Service

Coole Park Nature Reserve
Gort
Co. Galway
Ireland

 

Visitor Centre

Open Daily – 10am – 5pm

Phone: 091 631 804

Email: coolepark@npws.gov.ie

Facebook: Check out our Facebook page for regular events and updates

Coole Park Tearooms

Open Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4.30pm

Phone: 091 631 669
Email: cooleparktearooms@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CooleParkTearooms/