The Forest Park, embracing part of the Cabra Estate formerly owned by the Pratt family is situated in the Parish of Enniskeen which includes a portion of the Barony of Clankee, Co. Cavan and a smaller part of the Barony of Kells, Co Meath. From the third to the sixth century this territory was occupied by the Gailenga, a warlike people who were established here to guard the frontiers of the Kingdom of Tara.
From the sixth century onwards, following the disintegration of Tara, the power of the Gailenga gradually declined, although the Annals of Ulster provide evidence that as late as the eleventh century they still wielded considerable power in the district.