Annual Walking Festival
27, 28, 29 September 2024
Celebrating 10 Years of Wexford Walking Trails Annual Festival 2014-2024
Wexford Walking Trails is delighted to invite you along to their 2024 Walking Festival. 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. The festival consists of three separate walks at three separate venues. Plenty of choice or why not walk all three!!
Three Great DAys of Walking in WEXFORD
Day 1 – Barntown and Carrigfoyle
After an evening walk to Carrigfoyle, join us for the official launch of the festival at a reception in Barntown Community Centre.
Day 2 – Forth Mountain
Explore the Three Rocks Trail across Forth Mountain from Carrigfoyle to Barntown village to Skeator Rock – two trail routes available.
Day 3 – Carne to Carnsore Point
Savour the south Wexford coastline as we meander under the watchful eye of Tuskar lighthouse – two trail routes available.
Don’t Miss!
Festival Launch and photographic exhibition in Barntown
Festival Dinner at Whitford House Hotel
10th Anniversary Celebrations at The Lighthouse Pub in Carne
FESTIVAL 2024 TICKET INFORMATION
Friday 27th September €10
Saturday, 29th September €25
Sunday 29th September €10
WEEKEND TICKETS €35
Children Under 12 Free
FESTIVAL DINNER 2024
Saturday, 29th September €42.95
BOOK BY Wednesday, 25th September 2024
Friday 27th September - DAy1 | Barntown
Evening Walk to Carrigfoyle Lake
Walk to Carrigfoyle Lake and return to the Community Centre. Take time to make your way along part of the Three Rocks Trail, among landmarks and landscape, from Barntown up to Carrigfoyle Lake to find breath-taking scenery, biodiversity, and stories of bravery. A little adventure goes a long way!
Meeting Point: Barntown Community Centre
Location: Eircode Y35 XO32
Link to Google Map
Time: 6.00pm
Distance: 6km
Official Launch & Reception
Reception and Launch of Festival at 7.30 pm approximately
by Councillor Gary Laffan
Launch of our new Wexford Walking Trails Brochure
by Director of Services at Wexford Country Council, Mr Eamonn Hore
featuring over 80 waymarked walking trails at 38 locations around County Wexford
Country Connects Captures Exhibition
A special Photographic Exhibition ‘Country Connects Captures’ will feature over the weekend at Barntown Community Centre. This exhibition celebrates a collaborative project between Wexford Walking Trails, Wexford County Council, Healthy Wexford, 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.
Saturday 28th September - Day 2 | Forth Mountain
You will not be disappointed as you explore various sites of significant historical importance, particularly those relating to the 1798 Rebellion. Panoramic views of the Wexford coastline take in Rosslare across to the Waterford Estuary. A true gem of a mountain that boasts of 500 to 600 million-year-old rock.
Please bring your lunch today!
Option 1 Three Rocks Trail - Barntown Village | Carrigfoyle | Skeator Rock
The track 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.
Meeting Point: Carrigfoyle Lake Car Park
Location: Sat Nav 52.32451, -6.55474 Link to Google Map
Time: 11.00am
Distance: 13km
Option 2 Three Rocks Trail - Barntown Village | Carrigfoyle | Skeator | Tinacurra
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.
Meeting Point: Carrigfoyle Lake Car Park
Location: Sat Nav 52.32451, -6.55474 Link to Google Map
Time: 11.00am
Distance: 17km
10th Anniversary Festival Dinner
Join us at Whitford House Hotel for a special Festival Dinner as we celebrate our 10th Annual Wexford Walking Trail Festival on Saturday evening at 7.00pm.
Dinner is €42.95 per person for a 4 course menu of starter, main course, dessert and tea or coffee which must be booked online advance by Wednesday 25th September at the link provided here.
FESTIVAL DINNER 2024
Saturday, 29th September
€42.95 per person
BOOK BY
Wednesday, 25th September 2024
sunday 29th September - day 3 | Carne
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, and always under the watchful eye of Tusker Rock Lighthouse.
Option 1 - Carnsore Point Trail
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. On reaching Carnsore point we return back along the path to Carne.
Meeting Point: Trailhead Sign at Carne Holiday Park
Location: Sat Nav 52.198505, -6.352057
Link to Google Maps
Time: 11.00am
Distance: 7km
Option 2 - Walk to the 'Cut in the Lake'
Continuing along the trail brings us to ‘The Cut in the Lake’ where Lady’s Island Lake meets the sea. Shingle provides a barrier separating the lake from the sea. Annually in spring the barrier is ‘cut’ to allow the water levels in the lake drop to an acceptable level.
Read more here: Cutting-the-Lake-at-Ladys-Island-leaflet.pdf (southwexfordcoast.com)
Meeting Point: Trailhead Sign at Carne Holiday Park
Location: Sat Nav 52.198505, -6.352057
Link to Google Maps
Time: 11.00am
Distance: 12km
Wexford Walking Trail Annual Festival 10th Anniversary Celebrations
Following Sunday morning’s walk, at 1.30 pm approximately, a complimentary celebratory function will take place 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 celebrate another wonderful weekend of walking in Wexford.
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 details visit www.visitwexford.ie
WALKING FESTIVAL ARCHIVE
2019 - Four Peaks
This year introduces our walkers to the high points in each area of our county network of walks. Wexford Walking Trails is highlighting some of our higher walks – giving you wonderful views over the entire county on some of our more strenuous, but still very manageable trails
2018 - A step back in time with nature
From Gorey to Tara Hill - this year’s festival will 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.
2017 - Rosslare to New Ross
2016 - 100 years on...
2015 - Historic Hill Trails & Foraging
2014 - Coastal & Woodland Trails
The network's inaugural Walking Festival took place in 2014, featuring coastal and woodland walks across south county Wexford and a trip to the Dunbrody Famine ship.