Visitor Attraction

Things to do Kildare – Visit the Bog of Allen Nature Centre  

At the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, one of the top natural tourist attractions in Co. Kildare the IPCC celebrate the wonder and the beauty of Irish peatlands and their wildlife. There are plenty of things to do and activities for all ages and interests at the visitor centre and at nearby Lodge Bog.

Plan Your Visit – Take a Virtual Tour

Watch our short virtual tour video on the left which will give you a good idea of things to do, what we have on offer for families, children and other guests coming to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.  Activities include pond dipping, nature crafts, frog hunt, bog walk, insect eating plants, creepy crawly search, museum, garden tour. A visit to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre is one of the top things to do in Kildare.

Opening Times

  • Lodge Bog: is open at all times
  • The Bog of Allen Nature Centre: Monday to Friday, daily 9am to 5pm (last visit 4pm).
  • Closed: Christmas, Bank Holidays.
  • Weekend Openings: By Appointment
  • Special weekend opening to the public during May for Biodiversity Week, July for International Bog Day, August for Heritage Week and September for Culture Night (see events).

Entrance Charges

A €5 donation to help IPCC’s work is requested from adults. Family Admission (two adults, two children) €15. Admission is free for IPCC’s Friends of the Bog.

Book Admission Ticket(s) in Advance

Where we Are

  • GPS Co-Ordinates: N 53° 16′ 42.392″ E -6° 56′ 34.125″”
  • Nearest Town: Allenwood (5km)
  • County: Kildare
  • Country: Ireland

Map


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Directions: Travelling to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre

Car: The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is located on the R414 between the towns of Rathangan and Allenwood in Co. Kildare. It can be approached from the M7/N7 or from the N4/M4 roads.

Public Transport: The Nature Centre cannot be directly reached using public transport. The nearest location for public bus is in Allenwood which is 5km from the Nature Centre.

Contact Us

Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353-45-860133; Email: bogs@ipcc.ie

Information for Families

A nature centre guide is available during visits to undertake a selection of activities with children. There is a quiz to fill, a scavanger hunt, colour dabs activity and free nets and basins for children to fish for mini-beasts in the ponds at the nature centre. Please follow this link for more ideas for family visits.  There is a boardwalk trail on Lodge Bog and families regularly attend special event tours organised at weekends. Adults can enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or coffee at the picnic tables provided in the wildlife gardens while the kids are happily occupied.

Visitor Maps, Guides, Trails and Things to Do

Use the links to get more information about:

Facilities at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre

  • Visitor Guidance
  • Activities for Children
  • Picnic Area
  • Free Parking
  • Toilets
  • Refreshments
  • Wheel Chair Access (ground floor only and gardens)
  • Average Visit Time 60-90 minutes
  • Educational packs to take away
  • Nature Shop of field studies equipment, resources & wildlife charts
  • Professional Educational Staff
  • Curriculum-inked field courses
  • Audio-visual materials to view
  • Field Studies equipment and resources
  • Permanent Exhibitions to View
  • Wildlife Gardens
  • Greenhouse of carnivorous plants
  • Open all year
  • Nearby Lodge Bog Nature Reserve with Visitor Boardwalk

Child Safety

The IPCC promotes the safety and well-being of all children with whom we are in contact. Please refer to our IPCC Child Protection Statement and Policy.

Covid-19 – Your Visitor Experience Update

Screen Shot 2020-03-12 at 16.27.11Following the Irish Government Covid-19 restrictions the Bog of Allen Nature Centre is open to visitors.

 

 

  1. On arrival all visitors will be asked to sanitise their hands with gel provided.
  2. We will ask all visitors to complete a visitor declaration form that will be held for 30 days at the centre.  This form will allow for contact tracing but also is a self declaration that visitors have not been asked to self isolate and are not within a 14 day quarantine period for travel.
  3. Your guide will be wearing a face shield – this is for the protection of everyone.
  4. We will offer you a short guided tour of the wildlife gardens and you can explore the indoor exhibition at your leisure following a designated route.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
  5. We are asking all our visitors to observe social distancing of 2 metres with staff and other visitors to the centre.
  6. We will no longer offer light refreshments of tea and coffee, however visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the wildlife gardens.
  7. You may pay for your visit using cash or card, however if paying by cash the staff member on duty will wear gloves and again this is for all our safety.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council Staff and Volunteers are looking forward to welcoming you to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in the near future.