Wexford Walking Trails is delighted to invite you along to their 2024 Walking Festival taking place from Friday 27th September to Sunday 29th September. Enjoy rambling along some of the most iconic trails in Wexford at landmark locations on Forth Mountain and at Carne with local guides and members of the Wexford Walking Trails community. The chosen trails are suitable for all grades of walkers. Be prepared for whatever the weather brings and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Snacks and drinks are also recommended.
Opening Night
On Friday evening our first evenrt is a walk to Carrigfoyle Lake from Barntown Community Centre, then back for the official launch of the festival. Following along part of the Three Rocks Trail, this walk leads through country roads to a summit of breath-taking scenery across Wexford interwoven with stories of battle and bravery from times gone by.
Returning to Barntown Community Centtre, there will be a reception and the official launch of the 2024 Festival by Councillor Gary Laffan. We are also looking forward to launching the latest edition of our popular brochure by Director of Services at Wexford Country Council, Mr Eamonn Hore. The brochure has almost doubled in trails with over 80 waymarked trails at 38 locations around County Wexford now listed.
A special Photographic Exhibition titled ‘Country Connects Captures’ will feature over the weekend in Barntown Community Centre celebrating a collaborative project between Wexford Walking Trails, Wexford County Council, Healthy Wexford and the Irish Farmers Association and Creative Ireland Wexford. A professional photographer accompanied us on our Country Connects Walks during the year and a selection of beautiful ‘captures’ will be on show as part of our Festival.
DAY 2 – Forth Mountain
With a choice of two routes to follow today, you will not be disappointed as you explore various sites of significant historical importance, particularly those relating to the 1798 Rebellion on the Three Rocks Trail across Forth Mountian. Panoramic views of the Wexford coastline take in Rosslare across to the Waterford Estuary. A true gem of a mountain that boasts of 500 – 600 million-year-old rock. The trail will take you out to Skeator Rock where panoramic views of the Wexford coastline include Rosslare, Our Lady’s Island, Saltee Islands, Hook Head lighthouse and across into Dunmore East and the Waterford estuary. In Pennylands, delightful viewing points include the Grotto and another near Clourane. The Tincurra trails are a gentler gradient and you can enjoy the picturesque views of Barntown, the Blackstairs Mountains and the west of the county as you follow the trail downhill.
10th Anniversary Festival Dinner
Be part of the celebrations!! Join us for a special celebratory Festival Dinner at Whitford House Hotel on Saturday evening at 7 pm.
The four course set menu costs €42.95 per person and must be booked in advance.
DAY 3 – Coastal Walk at Carnsore
Meeting at Carne Holiday Park, there are agian two options available to walkers on Sunday’s walk. The shorter walk to Carnsore Point and back (7km ) or longer walk to the Cut in the Lake and return (12 km) A delightful Sunday morning walk which takes you down to a wonderful coastal path leading onto Nethertown beach. The coastal path shows off the vast granite rock formation, best seen at low tide. Black back gulls and terns can be seen perched on the rocks looking for their next meal. Great cormorants can also be seeing drying their wings on the massive granite boulders. At Nethertown beach the trail divides. Continue south along the coast (red waymarker discs) towards the wind farm to remain on the Carnsore Point trail, always under the watchful eye of Tusker Rock Lighthouse. Carnsore Point is the most south-easterly point in Ireland. Look out for the ruin of St Vogue’s church dating back to the early Christian period.
Following Sunday morning’s walk, a complimentary celebratory function will take place at 1.30 pm approximately in the Lighthouse Bar, Carne, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Wexford Walking Trail Annual Festival. The bar will be open and entertainment will be on hand. A time to relax and enjoy another successful weekend of walking.
Weekend Ticket Information
Friday 27th September: Adults €10, Children U12 free
Saturday, 29th September: Adults €25, Children U12 free
Sunday 29th September: Adults €10, Children U12 free
WEEKEND TICKETS :Adults €35 , Children U12 free
Full details on meeting times, locations and to book your ticket please visit our Wexford Walking Trail Annual Festival page at this link.
Make a weekend of it…
Spend the weekend with us and feel the spirit of County Wexford. Immerse yourself in all that the southeast of Ireland has to offer. From family and friend groups, to couples and solo travellers, Wexford has it all when it comes to accommodation. For more information on accommodation options on offer please see www.visitwexford.ie
Don’t take our word for how good these trails are, see how Pól O’Conghaile enjoyed the trails at Forth Mountain in this episode of Tracks & Trails
