NEW ROSS – KELLY’S WOOD

LIMEKILN TRAIL

Distance:  1.2 km (0.75 miles)
Ascent:  23m
Walking time:  20min
Waymarking:  Blue
Grade: Easy

OAKLANDS TRAIL

Distance : 2.8km (1.75 miles)
Ascent : 23m
Walking time: 45min
Waymarking: Red
Grade: Easy

OSI Discovery Map Series 76

GRID REFERENCE: S 711 256

SAT NAV: 52.378, -6.956

The Oaklands trail is set in a tranquil looped walk around a natural oak-dominated wood, elevated in part and overlooking a fishing pond. There is also a linear spur trail which leads to an old stone limekiln and icehouse. Kelly’s Wood (Oaklands) was the seat of the Tyndall family who descended from John Tyndall of Gloucestershire, who came to Ireland during the Cromwellian campaign and had a grant of land confirmed to him in 1668. His wife was Isabelle de Rinzy from Wexford. The house was destroyed by fire in 1957, but remains of the icehouse and limekiln can be found in the woodlands. The wood is now managed by Coillte and Oaklands is a good example of wet woodlands which are important for the less conspicuous elements of biodiversity, i.e. insects and lichens. In wet areas, depending on factors such as degree of water logging and soil pH, wet-loving trees such as willows, birch and alder thrive.

DON’T MISS

  • During your walk you will notice the downy birch which is often abundant in the canopy with oak. There is often an understorey of holly, with some rowan. The ground flora typically includes species such as woodrush, bilberry and ferns. The ground flora here may include primrose, wood anemone and bluebell.
  • On the blue trail the stone limekiln and icehouse are in good condition and worth checking out

GETTING HERE

Directions:  (directions from main road to parking at walk start)The trail head is located at the carpark for the Oaklands fishing lake. In New Ross take the Campile Road, R733 off the N25 Ring Road. Heading south travel for 1km until you come to the Oaklands Lake, see sign on the left hand side and enter the carpark. It is possible to walk to the trail from New Ross town by using a public footpath along the R733 Road

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