A good walk can be just the ticket to clear your head and de-fuzz your mind a little, when life starts to get too much….Or when your body needs a little TLC. Wexford has some of the most beautiful walking trails in Ireland.

Here we list our favourite trails in the New Ross District from the historical to the nature walking trails. All are filled with vibrant colourful vegetation, wildlife and interesting info.

New Ross Town Trails

The Riverside Walk

One of the latest additions to New Ross beautiful riverfront is The Riverside Walkway. Starting at the New Ross Marina and wrapping around the back of Sweeny’s Garden Centre and Aldi, this is a lovely walkway along the River Barrow. Stunning views of the marina with a backdrop of the river Barrow and O’Hanrahan Bridge. The walkway passes through marshland full of natural beauty and wildlife.

Kelly’s Wood

The Oaklands Trail is set in a tranquil looped walk around a natural oak-dominated wood, elevated in part and overlooking a fishing pond. There is also a linear spur trail which leads to an old stone limekiln and icehouse. Remains of the icehouse and limekiln can be found in the woodlands. The wood is now managed by Coillte and Oaklands is a good example of wet woodlands which are important for the less conspicuous elements of biodiversity, i.e. insects and lichens. In wet areas, depending on factors such as degree of waterlogging and soil pH, wet-loving trees such as willows, birch and alder thrive.

John F Kennedy Arboretum & Slieve Coillte

John F Kennedy Arboretum

John F Kennedy Arboretum dedicated to the memory of U.S President John F. Kennedy, stretches across 623 acres, near New Ross in County Wexford. This tranquil arboretum features over 500 different rhododendron and azaleas and an internationally important collection of over 4,500 different trees and shrubs, some of which are very rare. You could spend the day strolling through the park on the multitude of different walks available here.

Slieve Coillte

Slieve Coillte, a small mountain outside of New Ross is believed to have a significant connection with Irish mythology. The 275-metre ascent is nothing short of spectacular. On a clear day vast tracts of the Sunny South East form a breathtaking vista before you. If you find
that the climb is too steep you can load up the car and drive to the top of Slieve Coillte where there is a trail around the top of the mountain so you can see for miles in any direction.

Lacken Woods Trails

Lacken Woods

Lacken Woods also known as the Dunbrody Forest. 25,000 trees comprising of ash, oak, larch and douglas fir were planted here to replace the trees used in building the ‘Dunbrody Famine Ship’. This ship is now docked on the quay of New Ross and is the major tourist attraction. Lacken Hill was the site of a Rebel Camp in 1798 at the battle of New Ross and now has a commemorative stone to mark the occasion in a peaceful setting at the top of the hill.

Millstream Trail

Millstream Trail is known locally as the Ponds. The stream along the trail used to power 7 mills. Napper’s Mill is now an overgrown ruin that sits beautifully along the stream becoming part of the landscape. Full of wildlife such as kingfishers and otters and the stream brimming with minnow from various fish types and frogspawn. This walk really is something special.

Carrick Byrne Trails

Carrick Byrne Trail

The geology of the hill is Ordovician granite – these rocks were formed during volcanic activity about 400 million years ago. The interesting, dramatic landscape was host to a rebel camp before the Battle of Ross in 1978.

Browne-Clayton Column Trail

Across the N25 you will see the Browne-Clayton Column, a large pillar built in 1839 by General Robert Browne-Clayton of Carrick Byrne in commemoration of Sir Ralph Abercrombie who was his commanding officer and with whom he fought and was victorious in the Egyptian battles in 1801 against Napoleon. It is the only internally accessible Corinthian column in existence. The local name for it is ‘Browne’s Nonsense” as legend has it that Browne originally built it in memory of his son – thought to be killed in battle but who turned up alive and well shortly after completion of the pillar.

Tintern Abbey Trails

Tintern Abbey Trail

The Tintern Abbey Trails are set in the forest that surrounds the abbey. Tintern Abbey was established by William Marshal the founder of the town of New Ross. Adjoining Tintern Abbey is the beautifully restored Georgian walled garden built by the Colclough family over 200 years ago. Stroll the same routes the monks of the abbey took all those years ago along a beautiful river walk surrounded by mixed woodland containing 200-year-old beech trees. A fabulous forest trail that is seasonally carpeted in wild garlic and bluebells.

The Bannow Bay Trail leads to Saltmills.

Pass through the Brickfield where the bricks to construct the walled garden were made. Then pass over the bridge in Saltmills on part of the Coastal Path that leads to more history.  Stroll past an old IRA memorial, a rare double lime kiln, a grounded dredger in an area that is rich in birdlife.

History With Myles – New Ross Town

Rebellion Trail

Walk with us from the Bearna Baoil of the Three Bullet Gate along the route taken by Kelly the Boy from Kilann and his Bantry men as the 20,000 poorly equipped United Irishmen pressed their attack on the defending Crown Forces. We will stand where the attackers faced an artillery barrage armed only with pikes and blind courage.

A tour doesn’t have to be expensive or boring. Tours are suited for all budgets, our walking tours will take you through New Ross Town, keeping you entertained, educated, and excited the entire way.  So come along and discover hidden gems, sample some local cuisine, and learn the incredible stories of the men and women who built the town.

Medieval Trail

We tell the epic story of the Walling of Ross, the Maiden Gate, the medieval market place, William Marshal and Isabel de Clare’s parish church and end with a glimpse of the history of the medieval borough of Rosbercon from atop the High Hill.

We can take your group on a walk you won’t forget covering a wide range of New Ross history. Book your small private group (up to 8) adventure directly on our website. If your group is bigger than that, we invite you to contact us, and we will be able to help you tailor the perfect walk with you. Small Private Groups (1 – 8 people): Large Private Groups (9 – 25 people)

Kennedy Footsteps Trail

JFK’s great grandfather Patrick Kennedy worked as a cooper (barrel maker) in Cherry’s Brewery, New Ross until he emigrated in 1849. We follow the route of his daily commute to and from work along the same streets and past many of the same buildings. We tell the story of those streets, people and buildings spiced up with relevant stories and anecdotes.

We can take your group on a walk you won’t forget covering a wide range of New Ross history. Book your small private group (up to 8) adventure directly on our website. If your group is bigger than that, we invite you to contact us, and we will be able to help you tailor the perfect walk with you. Small Private Groups (1 – 8 people): Large Private Groups (9 – 25 people)