5 stars on TripAdvisor
Visit the Fairy Bridge in the park
Spot the island from the boat
Lough Key Forest Park
The magic begins before you even set foot on the boat. Lough Key Forest Park is home to the legendary Fairy Bridge — and a story that unfolds across the whole day, with a wonderful finale out on the water.
The island is a protected National Monument — closed to the public and visible only from the lake — which makes spotting it feel all the more like a secret discovered.
The story starts in the park — walk to the Fairy Bridge, discover where the magic begins, and let the children’s imaginations start running. Then take to the water, and watch their faces as Teddy Bear Island slowly comes into view.
That moment of pure wonder — pointing, squealing, completely captivated — is something parents talk about long after the trip is over. No screens. No queues. Just the open water, a story worth believing in, and a memory that stays with children for years.
What makes Teddy Bear Island truly extraordinary is that it sits on one of the most historically significant islands in Lough Key — a place with centuries of real stories to tell.
This island is a protected National Monument, home to the ruins of Inchmacnerin Abbey — an Augustinian priory founded between 1140 and 1170 AD. Known in Irish as Mainistir Inis Mac nÉirín, it contains medieval church remains, a saint’s shrine, and human burials dating back to 1021 AD.
The island is closed to the public, which means seeing it from the water on a boat tour is the only way to experience it.
To the thousands of families who visit Lough Key, this ancient island has taken on a second life — as the home of every lost teddy bear, guided here by the fairies of the Fairy Bridge and living happily among the trees.
Same island. Eight centuries between stories. Both completely worth telling.
Walk to the Fairy Bridge in the park, then take to the water to see where the story ends. Teddy Bear Island is a highlight of both ways to explore Lough Key with us — choose the experience that suits your family best.
Join our guided tour and experience the full story of Lough Key — from the Fairy Bridge to Teddy Bear Island and beyond. Our knowledgeable crew bring the magic and the history to life for children and adults alike.
Have the whole boat to yourselves. Tell the story in your own way, at your own pace — perfect for families who want a more personal experience, or couples discovering the beauty of Lough Key together.
Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Seasonal — check website for current schedule
Lough Key Forest Park charges for parking. Free passes are available if you spend with the Lough Key Activity Centre directly — but please note this does not apply when booking with us. We'd rather you know before you arrive.
Just off the N4 between Dublin and Sligo. Boyle town is minutes away.
Just 10–15 minutes on foot from the boats — a lovely walk through the park before or after your trip.
A jacket — it can be breezy on the water. And keep an eye out for fairies!
Please contact us before booking to discuss your requirements
Everything families want to know before booking their Lough Key adventure.
Teddy Bear Island is a magical story woven into every Lough Key boat tour. As you travel the lake, you’ll pass the Fairy Bridge — where the fairies of Lough Key collect every lost teddy bear in the world, sprinkle them with fairy dust, and guide them to their new home on the island. There, the bears live happily together and hold their very own teddy bears’ picnic. It’s a story created to spark the imagination of young children, and it never fails to delight them.
No — and that’s part of what makes it so magical. Teddy Bear Island is also Church Island, a protected National Monument that is closed to the public. You see the island from the boat as you cruise past. Spotting the bears from the water, with the whole story building as you approach, creates a genuine sense of wonder for children — far more exciting than simply walking up to them.
The Fairy Bridge is a magical spot within Lough Key Forest Park — well worth a visit before or after your boat trip. According to the story, the fairies who live at the Fairy Bridge collect every lost teddy bear, sprinkle them with fairy dust, and guide them across the water to their new home on Teddy Bear Island. It’s a lovely walk through the park and a wonderful way to set the scene for children before they board the boat and see the island for themselves.
Our boat tours are suitable for all ages and are especially popular with families with young children. Little ones are captivated by the story of the Fairy Bridge and the bears, while older children and adults enjoy the history and scenery of Lough Key. It’s genuinely an experience the whole family can share and enjoy together.
The scheduled tour boat runs at set times and is a shared, guided experience — our expert crew tell the story of the Fairy Bridge, Teddy Bear Island, and the wider history of Lough Key as you go. A private boat trip means the boat is entirely yours — perfect for families who want a more personal, flexible experience, or for couples and groups who prefer privacy on the lake. Both trips include the Fairy Bridge and Teddy Bear Island.
Yes — Teddy Bear Island is Church Island, one of the historic islands of Lough Key. Church Island is home to the ruins of Inchmacnerin Abbey, an Augustinian priory founded in the 12th century and designated a protected National Monument. The island’s ancient woodland and mysterious ruins make it the perfect setting for the magical story of the bears — history and imagination side by side on the same island.
Yes — we strongly recommend booking ahead, especially during summer and school holidays when tours fill up quickly. You can book securely online through our booking pages. Walk-ins are welcome when spaces allow, but we can’t guarantee availability without a reservation.
Absolutely. Lough Key is one of the finest lake settings in Ireland, sitting in the heart of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. We regularly welcome families from the UK, Europe, the US, and further afield. The combination of original storytelling for children, stunning scenery, and genuine medieval history makes a Lough Key boat tour unlike anything else in Ireland.
The bears you’ll see on Teddy Bear Island are sourced from a local hospice charity shop — giving each one a second life in one of the most magical settings in Ireland.
During your trip, you’ll also have the chance to bring a little bear home with you. We sell smaller teddy bears on board, with all proceeds going directly to Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation — a charity that provides in-home nursing care for children with severe conditions across Ireland.
Walk to the Fairy Bridge in the park, then take to the water and spot Teddy Bear Island for yourself. A full day of magic for the whole family — book your boat trip today.
