Lough Boora - a place to go wild

Lough Boora Parklands in Offaly has beaten competition from almost 4,000 entries to make a longlist of 20 in The Irish Times' 'Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland' competition.

The longlist of the best places in the country to experience nature was announced today (Tuesday).

Submitted by Gillian Middleton, Lough Boora Parklands is described as a place 'where art and nature collide to create a unique serenity'.

Lough Boora Parklands boasts a number of outdoor sculptures created by both local and international artists, as well as a host of wildlife.

'The most remarkable thing is the uninterrupted peace,' Gillian says however. 'It's a place that locals gush about and visitors discover.'

A team of researchers are now scheduled to visit all 20 locations on the longlist. The winning destination is expected to be announced early next month.

You can see the full longlist here: http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/the-20-best-places-to-go-wild-in-ireland-1.1797016?page=2