a 100% community led initiative that op

		Stephenstown Pond encompasses a five-acre site consisting of woodlands, lakeside walk and carp fishing decks. The pond is fully accessible for persons with disabilities and is wheelchair friendly. The beautifully restored 18th century cottage was the home of Agnes Burns (sister of the Scottish bard Robbie Burns). It explores the life and works of the poet. Ecological interpretative boards and Animal Interpretative Centre makes this site a valuable educational a relaxing natural haven. HISTORY OF THE POND  In 1817 William Galt was contracted to build two ponds according to the specification in the hands of Mr. McHugh, the head gardener and to the satisfaction of Matthew Fortescue, the landowner of Stephenstown Estate. The water was needed for the new gardens which were just constructed and to drive the grinding mills in the farmyard. William Galt who was married to Agnes Burns, the sister of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns lived in the house north of the pond which was built for him while the work was in progress. When the ponds were completed he was then retained as confidential manager to Mr. Fortescue. Galt adorned the whole site with a bewildering array of trees and shrubs because those years were part of the golden age of tree planting in Ireland. He stocked this pond with a variety of coarse fish and even today there is good fishing available there. The great diversity of plant life has remained here ever since. There are a number of other tourist attractions in the area. In the immediate area there is the "Cloch on Fearmore", "Loch an Tarbh", the site of St. Oliver Plunkett's churches and the campsite of King James' army.       The animal and bird interactive display proves intriguing for children of all ages to view animals in their natural habitat and learn about their habits and survival methods. The multimedia allows you to experience wildlife in many different areas of County Louth: all the information you need is at a touch of a button.We also have a small reference library where you can get lots of information about all the plants, trees and wildlife at Stephenstown Pond.This can be view in the Animal Interpretive Centre All our facilities at Stephenstown Pond and the Visitor Centre are Disability friendly.   At the Visitor Centre you can also enjoy excellent food supplied by the friendly staff of the Dairy Maid Coffee shop. ides - climbing frames - rocking  horses - all any child needs to enjoy  themselves with safety matting to protect any little tumble .   Note: All cildren must be supervised hby Parents or Guardians at all times while in the playground.

ened  to the public in July 1996.   Since it's opening, Stephenstown Pond Nature Park has become a major tourist attraction  in Co. Louth. It has won many prestigious awards.  In 1998 Stephenstown Pond Carp Fishery & Nature Park won the award as The National Tidy Towns Wildlife  award winning project. Other awards won by the project were AIB Better Ireland Award in the Environmental category (one of over 900 entrants) with a prize tag of  £5,000, FAS North East Regional Award winning Environmental project in The FAS Community Initiative Awards, Highly Commended Tourism Project in The Louth Enterprise Board  Initiative Awards, ENFO award winning Educational project.  The above have all been achieved by the project in the space of the past two and a half years.  In 1999 the project won £5,000 in The  AIB Millennium Awards. In 2000  the project won an award in Millennium Green Towns.
Knockbridge boasts the only lake facilities in County Louth with two of them being  particularly accessible - Cortail and Drumcah. Carp, perch and rudd fishing is available in Stephenstown Pond, with disabled facilities available, while the nearby Fane River is excellent for trout and salmon fishing. A license must be obtained for salmon and white trout fishing, while fishing permits for the Stephenstown Pond are available at the Visitor's Centre or the local village shop Brodigan's Food Store.