Rathbeggan Lakes: family park & angling centre
Located near Dunshaughlin, County Meath, Rathbeggan Lakes used to be a favourite day-out destination for families and fishing enthusiasts looking for a simple outdoor escape close to Dublin. Set in the scenic valley of the River Tolka, the park combined family play areas, a small petting farm, picnic lawns, and multiple fishing lakes — all within easy reach of the M50.
Rathbeggan Lakes closed permanently on 1 September 2019. Rising operational and insurance costs ended its run after around 21 years, and the site has since been rebranded and partially redeveloped.
Park overview
Rathbeggan Lakes operated seasonally (typically spring to autumn), offering a natural setting for relaxed outdoor recreation. Its location near Dunshaughlin made it especially popular with Dublin families who wanted a quick countryside break without a long drive.
Rathbeggan Lakes really has something for everyone in the family
What you could do there
Rathbeggan Lakes really has something for everyone in the family
Family activities
Rathbeggan Lakes was built for easy, low-stress family days out. Visitors came for:
- adventure play areas with small climbing structures
- zip-wires suitable for children
- a mini petting farm (goats, rabbits, ducks)
- picnic lawns and walking paths around the lakes
- seasonal family events and outdoor play zones
A big part of the appeal was how “simple and outdoorsy” it felt — no complicated planning required.
Fishing at Rathbeggan Lakes
Four lakes for different styles
The fishing setup was one of the park’s signatures: four separate lakes designed for different experience levels and angling preferences, supported by spring-fed water quality in the river valley setting.
- Fly fishing lake — fly-only, stocked with trout; more technical and presentation-focused
- Coarse fishing lake — traditional coarse species such as roach, bream, and tench
- Specimen lake — aimed at trophy fishing; known for larger carp and pike
- Family fishing lake — beginner-friendly mixed species; ideal for children and first-timers
Beginner-friendly setup: on-site gear rental, bait/tackle shop, and staff guidance.
Popular family-run adventure park
Other facilities on site
Beyond the main park and lakes, the site also offered:
- allotments for local gardeners
- dog kennels for short-term care
Rathbeggan Lakes
Heritage area: crannóg replica
One distinctive feature was a small heritage area with a reconstructed crannóg — an ancient Irish dwelling traditionally built on lakes or marshy ground. The replica gave visitors a simple, outdoor introduction to early Irish settlement life, and was especially popular with families and school groups.
Why the park closed
Rathbeggan Lakes Family Adventure Park closed at the end of the 2019 summer season. Owner Dave Robinson confirmed the park would “close for good” on 1 September 2019 after around 21 years in operation.
The key driver was insurance costs:
- annual premium rose from €20,000 to €40,000 in one year
- insurance excess increased from €300 to €10,000
For a small, family-run attraction, the increased cost + risk made operations unsustainable.
On the final day, many regular visitors came to say goodbye — reflecting how embedded the park had become in local family life (picnics, birthdays, children’s activities).
Dave Robinson and his family have operated Rathbeggan Lakes Family Adventure Park for almost 21 years
Current status: what’s there now
Since closing, the former Rathbeggan Lakes grounds have been partially redeveloped and rebranded as Meath Eco Park— a 22-acre private nature reserve and adult-only caravan/motorhome park. It also hosts a fly-only trout fishery under the MeathEcoPark name.
There are currently no public plans to restore Rathbeggan Lakes as a family adventure park in its original form.
The legacy of Rathbeggan Lakes
For many families in Meath and Dublin, Rathbeggan Lakes remains a nostalgic reminder of uncomplicated outdoor fun — play areas, animals, picnics, and beginner-friendly fishing in a peaceful riverside setting. While the original family park is now part of the past, its story also reflects a wider reality for small leisure businesses: rising costs can reshape even the most loved local attractions.
