Recently we explored the lovely Ballincollig Regional Park, just a few minutes drive from our house. It has marked running routes in a forested area, next to the Lee with views of the farms and fields on the north bank. Part of the route is tarred and part of it gets very muddy and boggy with lots of rain, but if it’s not flooded it’s very run-able. On this particular day, it was quite flooded and the sports fields were temporary dams!
Apart from the lovely paths and bridges that make for a fine outdoor excursion, there are also many sports fields, picnic spots, an amazing playground and the historical ruins of the old gunpowder mills. The entrance to the park is on the south side of the Inniscarra Bridge. The park is open from 9:00 throughout the year. The closing times are dependant on the month of the year; take note of the sign in the parking lot.
My camera and I were a bit obsessed with the quiet water and reflecting bare tree branches… and the good weather 
