Lismore in Co Waterford is a wonderful step back in time. A heritage town, you’ll find many of the shop fronts just as they were for decades. Overlooking the River Blackwater and backgrounded by the Knockmealdown Mountains, it’s a delight to wander around. It's also home to Lismore Castle ... There has [...]
Dunmore East Coastal Walk is a pretty special addition to Waterford’s seaside town. Now, as well as walking round this scenic little town, you get to explore the dramatic headlands as well. We visited in June when the weather was, well, misty. Outdoor dining was allowed, indoor dining was not! So, Dunmore [...]
The Saltee Islands in Co. Wexford are a haven of calm and birds, including the island's famed puffin residents! They're a treasure hiding in plain sight, just 5km off the coast of Kilmore Quay. The bird sanctuary - home to the aforementioned puffins, along with gannets and gulls - are a magnet [...]
Kiltealy Walking Trails open up a vista across Co. Wexford, across fields, past wind turbines, across to the coast. The 7.6km Cullentra trail, which takes about two hours, takes you through fields, lanes, forest pathways and is a riot of birdsong and butterflies. You'll walk up towards and around the Blackstairs [...]
Clara Vale loop walks are a hidden gem in Co Wicklow, nestled between Rathdrum and Laragh. We stumbled across it in October (before the lockdown, thankfully), after going across the narrowest bridge I’ve ever seen! The River Avonmore flow along on the eastern boundary of Clara Vale Nature Reserve. From the trail [...]
Ireland's greenways were a haven of sanity for many in the past year. The Covid-19 lockdown had many people discovering hiking and walking trails in their locality. Of course, we’re not the only ones to love our countryside. In 2018, three million tourists to Ireland engaged in hiking/cross country walking and cycling. [...]
Kilmore Quay and its iconic thatched cottages in south Wexford was the venue for a recent overnight staycation. A view of the sea, a walk on the beach and I’m a happy woman. And Kilmore Quay, nearby Ballyteige Burrow, and Ballyhealy Beach deliver all that. Kilmore Quay Kilmore Quay by night, with [...]
Raven Nature Reserve at Curracloe in Co Wexford combines my twin loves in a walk – woodland and sea views! Essentially, the Nature Reserve at Raven Wood has the magnificent Curracloe Beach to the east. And, on the west, sheltered by the Corsican pines of the Wood, lie the North Slobs. The [...]
You’ll find the Coolmelagh looped walks between Bunclody in north Wexford and Carnew in south Wicklow. You’ll also find stunning views of the Wicklow hills, which makes these Coillte and Wexford Walking Trail routes so worthwhile. From various vantage points, you can see the surrounding countryside of Wexford, Carlow, and on up [...]
If you love woodland walks, Ballyfad Wood in north Wexford is definitely one to check out. Ireland being Ireland, we need options on rainy days, and Ballyfad Wood, with its sheltered walks, ticks that box. As does Tomnafinnoge Woods in south Wicklow incidentally. Rich history Anyways, four trails loop through Ballyfad Wood, [...]
