Coillte, Ireland's semi-state forestry company, has welcomed Roscommon County Council's decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of Lough Key Forest and Activity Park.

The company's next step is to identify funding partners to move the project into construction, with engagements to begin shortly. In the meantime, Coillte will review the planning conditions to ensure all requirements can be met.

Lough Key Forest and Activity Park is among Ireland's most-visited recreation sites, recording almost 200,000 visits in 2025. Under the approved plans, Coillte and Roscommon County Council, working with Waterways Ireland, aim to enhance the park's facilities to encourage local, national and international visitors to spend longer in Co Roscommon, boosting economic activity in the county and beyond.

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The goal is to develop a mature, year-round destination while safeguarding the park's natural and cultural character. Key elements would include the creation of Ireland's longest, highest and fastest twin zipline, an expansion of the existing campsite with improved camping amenities, additional Zipit aerial adventure zones, new water activities via a floating aqua park, upgrades to the trail network and an enhanced Rockingham Remembered Tour to celebrate the park's rich history.

Coillte acknowledged funding support from Fáilte Ireland's Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund. This support enabled the development of the strategic plan that has now secured planning approval. The focus now shifts to assembling the investment required to deliver the project.

For more information, including details of the Lough Key Strategic Development Plan, see loughkey.ie/strategic-plan/