Thomas Ram came to Ireland as chaplain to Robert Devereux in 1599, and later became Bishop of Ferns at the age of forty. In the early 1600’s, he was granted lands around Gorey under the Plantation of Wexford. This woodland is part of that.

Where you are now was once a fine oak wood. Most of the oak trees were cut down in the 1960’s. If you were here 200 years ago, you would be looking at deer running through the trees, a wonderful sight.

Today there are few oaks left but a lot of Norway Spruce, Sycamore, Holly, Silver Birch and two types of fern. In Autumn there are many wild mushrooms. Birds roust here at night along with the resident buzzard. You will also see squirrels on the ground and in the treetops.

The Ram family allowed the people of Gorey to walk through the woodland on one day a week. The Ram family were good to the people of Gorey during the famine years.

The Rams built a church in Market Square, Gorey in 1610. Bishop Thomas Ram built a large tomb beside this church for himself and his family. He also built 3 palaces in Gorey, one on main street and one on the site of the town park and one close to this wood. The Ram family were responsible for the development of Gorey Town. The family left Gorey in 1870. Just to warn you, the ghost of the Ram family still wanders through the woods and grounds between 10 o’clock and midnight….

From here, above the rooftops, you can also see Tara Hill and Ask Hill.

Enjoy your walk and please leave the wood as you found it. Afterwards why not head down town to our many cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops.

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