Welcome to Carrigfoyle Quarry Lake

Although it looks natural, the scene you are looking out on is almost entirely man-made.  The lake, the cliffs, the island, the beaches – these are all the remains of industrial-scale quarrying on this site which ended in the 1980s. However, once the humans were gone, nature gradually took back control: the huge quarry pit filled with clear water, trees spread in from forests nearby, and the animals returned. Today this special place is one of the most unusual and beautiful landscapes in Wexford.

Known generally today as ‘Carrigfoyle’, which is the name of the massive rock-outcrop at the main entrance to the site, the area was originally known as ‘Windgap’, after the Windgap Rocks which once topped the hill here.  Part of those rocks still survive intact on the north side of the lake and you can climb to the top of these for stunning views over both the lake and the landscape stretching to the north.  The highest point was used as a lookout post during the 1798 Rebellion and it was from the rebel camp nearby that the famous attack known as ‘The Battle of Three Rocks’ was launched on 30 May 1798.  A contingent of British Government troops, making their way to reinforce Wexford town, was wiped out and the town itself was captured by the rebels a few hours later.

Today a much more peaceful scene greets visitors to this spot!  If you come here in early morning when the woodland trails are quiet you can hope to see red squirrels, finches and other tiny forest birds. In the evening, the cliffs on your left turn deep, deep shades of pink as the last rays of the setting sun wash across them.  This is a special place and we hope you enjoy it.​