2022 Walking Festival Schedule
DAY 1 FRIDAY 23rd September
Our Ladys Island
Day 2 Saturday 24th September
Cahore /Old Bawn /Morriscastle
Day 3 Sunday 25th September
Arthurstown/Dunbrody /Duncannon
Registration
Please register online prior to the event at https://Wexford_Walking_Festival_2022.eventbrite.ie
Fees:
Day 1: €5 per person (Family rate €10) 3.4km Walk
Day 2: €10 per person (Family rate €20) 13km Walk
Day 2: €5 per person (Family rate €10) 4.5km Walk
Day 3: €5 per person (Family rate €10) 9.5km Walk
Weekend Rate: €20 per person (Family rate €25) Entry to all weekend walks
We have arranged to visit local community halls, cafés and pubs along the way but please note that food and drinks purchased will be at your own expense.
Day 1: Friday 23rd September Our Lady’s Island
Meeting Point: Our Lady’s Island Community Centre Car Park
Time: 7:15 pm
Registration: Please register online prior to the event at https://Wexford_Walking_Festival_2022.eventbrite.ie
Distance: 3.4km
Grade: Easy
The Walk: Enjoy a walk around Our Lady’s Island including the official pilgrimage trail. Afterwards, gather in the Community Centre for the official launch of the Walking Festival. This will be followed by an opportunity to view ‘Lady’s Island – Keepers of Heritage and Habitat’ exhibition and a short presentation on the locality.
Refreshments: Teas/coffees and refreshments will be available at the Community Coffee Shop. The local pub, the Island Bar, across the road will be open to welcome all walkers.
About the Area: Our Lady’s Island is located in South Wexford 14km from Wexford Town and 7km from Rosslare Harbour. Our Lady’s Island has the oldest Marian Shrine in Ireland (6th century) and is second only to Knock in size. The annual outdoor pilgrimage attracts around 100,000 visitors and this is supported by approximately 200 volunteers locally. Our Lady’s Island has approximately 10 acres of community green space situated in the heart of the village that is accessible to all.
Lady’s Island Lake is a shallow, brackish coastal lagoon separated from the sea by a 200-metre wide sand and shingle barrier and it is situated in the centre of the village. The lake is 3.7 km in length and 1.3 km at its widest southerly point, and covers an area of 466 hectares. The lake and its two islands, Inish and Sgarbheen, are designated Special Protection Areas (SPA), holding 5 Special Conservation Interest Species; Gadwall (Anas strepera), Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis), Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), and Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). (National Parks & Wildlife Service, 2016).
The area around Our Lady’s Island is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and wildlife with much of this land designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Work was undertaken to develop the coastal path along this South Wexford coastline and a comprehensive publication with detailed maps was prepared in 2009. The aim is to build on this work and formerly develop Our Lady’s Island as a walking trail hub which offers a range of walks across this stunning landscape
The community work very closely with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to manage the flora and fauna of this internationally important conservation area. The natural environment is special because on this sedimentary lagoon you can spot breeding terns and black-headed gulls. Winter visitors include whooper swans, light-bellied brent geese, wigeons, gadwall, and more. Rare plants include cottonweed, lesser centaury, foxtail stonewort and ‘lagoon specialist’ invertebrates.
Recently facilities to promote bird watching have been installed at the entrance to the village. In addition, an exciting new heritage exhibition has just been installed in the community centre to raise the awareness of the important ecological sites in this locality
Day 2: Saturday 24th September
Cahore / Morriscastle
Meeting Point: Cahore Pier
Time: 10:30 to 11:00am
Registration: Please register online prior to the event at https://Wexford_Walking_Festival_2022.eventbrite.ie
Distance Option 1: Return walk from Cahore to Morriscastle – 13km
Distance Option 2: Looped walk from Cahore to Old Bawn – 4.5km
Grade: Easy
The Walk: This lovely 13km return walk will take you along the coastal path, down to the beach, across to Morriscastle and back to Cahore. Furthermore, there will be an opportunity on the walk to interact with local Rangers and Environmentalists and learn about the treasures that make up our exciting coastline.
Refreshments: Tea & coffee will be available from The Sea Biscuit in the car park at The Strand Cahore. You can also enjoy tea, coffee & ice-cream when we reach the halfway point at Morriscastle. After the walk, you can drive 1.5km from Cahore, to The Village bistro in Ballygarrett, where soup and sandwiches will be on the menu. The Schooner Pub is next door for those who fancy a pint and where a local art exhibition will be taking place. Parking and toilet facilities are located close-by.
Accessibility: The shorter walk from Cahore to Old Bawn is both wheelchair and buggy friendly. Click here for trail details.
Day 3: Sunday 25th September
Arthurstown / Dunbrody / Duncannon
Meeting Point: The Trailhead Sign/Car Park in the village of Arthurstown
Sat Nav: 52.24283 -6.95387 (Car Park Arthurstown)
Time: 11:00am
Registration: Please register online prior to the event at https://Wexford_Walking_Festival_2022.eventbrite.ie
Distance: 9.5km
Grade: Moderate
The Walk: We will set out from the harbour in Arthurstown and walk along by the coast on the Dunbrody Trail. We will then continue to Duncannon to walk along the beach and return along the coast to Arthurstown. We will be joined by local characters along the way and hope to learn about the wonderful Waterford Estuary.
Refreshments: You can sit and take in the sea views with a tea, coffee & ice-cream at the midway point in Duncannon. After the walk, the Kings Bay Inn in Arthurstown will welcome us all back for a pint and some grub. A nice way to finish off the weekend!
We welcome everybody young and old, to join us for the weekend, or for part of it.
Please be prepared for whatever the weather brings by wearing suitable clothing and footwear.
It is recommended to bring snacks and drinks with you on each walk.