Avondale Forest Park Arboretum

Typically September 25–October 15

Sessile oak and holly climb the lower slopes of Torc and Tomies mountains above Lough Leane, one of the largest native oakwoods left in Ireland. Nearby, Reenadinna Wood on the Muckross Peninsula holds a 5,000-year-old yew stand, and arbutus trees drop red, strawberry-like fruit onto the woodland floor as the oaks turn.

Don’t miss: Sessile oak on Torc and Tomies slopes · Reenadinna Wood, a 5,000-year-old yew stand · Arbutus (strawberry tree) fruiting in autumn

Typically October 6–October 26

Two glacial lakes and the ruins of a sixth-century monastic settlement sit inside a valley of sessile oak, within Wicklow Mountains National Park. A 4.5km valley-floor loop passes the round tower and church walls under turning canopy, and the Spinc boardwalk climbs the ridge above the Upper Lake for a wider view of the color.

Don’t miss: Valley floor loop past monastic ruins, 4.5km · Sessile oak woodland around both lakes · Spinc boardwalk above the Upper Lake

Typically October 6–October 26

A 4km nature trail follows the shore of Lough Veagh through sessile oak, birch and hazel woodland below the quartzite peaks of the Derryveagh Mountains, among the largest stretch of native woodland left in Donegal. At Glenveagh Castle the walled garden, planted with exotics since the 1870s, turns red and gold alongside it, while red deer rut in the glen through October.

Don’t miss: 4km native oak, birch and hazel trail · Walled garden at Glenveagh Castle · Red deer rut in the glen