Wexford Walking Trail Festival 2018: Friday Sept 21st-Sunday Sept 23rd
Wexford Walking Trail welcome you to our fifth annual festival, giving you a flavour of Wexford’s historic sites and stunning countryside with panoramic views. Wexford Walking Trail is a County Wexford based network showcasing a range of trails throughout the county – from mountain, coastal and forest to heritage walks reflecting the rich tapestry of our natural and built heritage.
In organising this year’s festival Wexford Walking Trails would like to highlight our link with history whether in town, village or countryside, and our continuing reminder that there are walks within Co. Wexford to appeal to everyone’s quest for the natural world with our hills, woods, mountains and seaward-looking trails. The richness and diversity of Wexford’s heritage will be vividly conveyed through our series of guided walks which will take place over this festival weekend. We hope you enjoy what we have planned for this weekend and remember, this is just a flavour of Wexford and its trails.
There is no charge for any of these walks. There will be a donation box on each registration table to help defray costs.
Friday Sept 21st
5.30pm – Ramsfort Woods Trail in Gorey
Led by Willie Willoughby, local historian, join fellow walkers to hear the story of the Ram family and their role in the establishment of Gorey town in the early 17th century. This is a short easy walk on this newly developed trail.
Registration at 5.30pm – Meet and park at the Teagasc Office, Y25 H603 – short walk to beginning of trail.
7.15pm – Reception and festival launch in Gorey
Join us for refreshments in Gorey town following this evening’s walk and talk.
Venue: Teagasc Office as for registration.
Saturday Sept 22nd
9.15 – 9.30am – Croghan
Another new trail just added to WWT’s network of trails in north Co. Wexford. Raheenleagh on the slopes of Croghan Kinsellagh shows how breathtaking scenery, local history and the latest in renewable technology have combined to provide a series of walks to suit all ages and abilities. Choice of a moderately challenging morning walk (6.6 km) to the 606m high summit or a circuit on the lower slopes (4.2km).
Registration at 9.15am – Meet at the Gap Pub Ballythomas, Y25VA43, to be brought to trailhead for a 9.45am start of the choice of walks (10 minute drive to trailhead). Lunch available in the Gap on return – soup, sandwiches, tea / coffee for €5, with a showing of a short film on Titania’s Palace, a marvel of miniature craftsmanship.
3.00 pm – Oulart Jean Kennedy Smith Walk
A 4km easy guided walk around Oulart begins at the trailhead opposite Oulart Church. “Best for history” says the Irish Independent – with guided walk and talk on 1798 and 1916 influences on this historic village. Refreshments will be kindly served in the local 18th century Story House en route. Traditional concert in the acoustic heaven of Tulach a’ tSolais until Equinox sunset at 6.45 pm.
Registration at 3.00pm at the Church car park in Oulart 52.505422. -6.388408
8.15pm – Festival Dinner – Upton Court Hotel, Kilmuckridge
Special rate of €25 for 3-course meal with tea/coffee. Please confirm your attendance by 15th Sept – email: wexfordwalking@gmail.com
Sunday Sept 23rd
11.00am – Tara Hill
A 7km walk will combine the best of the two trails on Tara Hill and will head to the summit so see, weather permitting, Croghan Kinsella, site of Saturday’s walk, Sliabh Bhuí, Mount Leinster and possibly the outline of Snowdonia in Wales. Tara Hill’s many stories, both man-made and natural history will be unfolded along the route.
Registration at 11.00am at Tara Hill Church
After the walk enjoy lunch and music in the Tara Vale pub
For details of accommodation in the area contact Visit Wexford