WALKING HOLIDAYS IN THE CARRIGBYRNE AREA Cedar Lodge Hotel is the ideal location for walkers of all levels of experience and fitness. Wexford is known as the model county. It enjoys the highest level of sunshine and the lowest rainfall in Ireland. It also produces 95% of all fresh fruit and honey produced in Ireland. Cedar Lodge Hotel is surrounded by some of the most historic and scenic spots in Ireland - this is a walkers dream.  Indeed, some of our visitors who might not see themselves as walkers at all may well find they would enjoy one of the easy country strolls near the Hotel. The owners of the Cedar Lodge Hotel, the Martin family, have put together a carefully thought-out selection of walks which offers something for everyone. You're sure to find one or more suited to your particular need. You may even prefer to stroll around our beautifully landscaped gardens, the pictures below provide you with an example of what lies in store. For guests with a interest in history, behind the hotel is called Camp Field were the insurgence camped before The Battle of New Ross 1798
Below is an example of some of the walks available. THE PINNACLE Distance : 3 miles (5km) Time : 1˝ hours Terrain : Quiet side roads - one short main road section The Pinnacle, as it is known locally, is an unusual column set on its own lonely rock in the countryside close to Carrigbyrne, with an interesting story. A Lieut. Col. Robert Browne Clayton built the pillar on his estate near here 150 years ago, to commemorate a former superior officer under whom he served in Egypt almost two hundred years ago. The design of the monument is based on Pompey's Pillar at Alexandria, and also commemorates the British victory in capturing Alexandria at that time.
CARRIGBYRNE WOOD Short Distance : 2 miles (3km) Time : 1 hour Long Distance : 3 miles (5km) Time 1˝ hours Terrain : Quiet lanes, forest paths, forest tracks Carrigbyrne Wood can be seen from the Bar or breakfast room of the Hotel, covering a double hill which forms a lovely backdrop to the Hotel. This is an easy walk on quiet leafy and wooded paths; there is an option to take a short, step detour on a trail up through the trees to viewing points at the top, but the walk is very scenic even without this detour.
NEWBAWN Distance : 5˝ miles (9km) Time : 2 hours Terrain : Quiet narrow country roads, mostly level. This is an easy walk near the Hotel, taking full advantage of the beautiful County Wexford Countryside. TINNACARRICK WOOD Distance : 3 to 4 miles Time : 1 to 1˝ hours Terrain : Forest paths, rougher ground on the optional part This is a very simple, easy walk, included to give you the opportunity of a short stroll in the peace of an unspoilt wood. It is an out-and-back walk within the wood, though you can complete a "loop" in there with just a bit harder effort. CARRIGBYRNE HILL Distance : 5˝ Miles (9km) Time : 2 hours Terrain : Quiet, narrow, leafy country roads Around Carrigbyrne Hill - This is a likeable walk along country lanes and roads, with an opportunity to admire the hedgerows, listen to the birds, and observe some of the ways of agriculture in these parts, while completing a loop of narrow roads that encircle the double hill on which Carrigbyrne Wood is planted. JOHN F. KENNEDY ARBORETUM A : Distance : 2 miles (3km) to 3 miles (5km) Time : 1 to 2 hours B : Distance : 4 miles (6km) Time : 2 hours Terrain : A : Easy and Level B : Roads, steady ascent President John F. Kennedy had ancestral roots in Dunganstown in this area and members of the Kennedy family still live near the hotel. A few years after his visit here in 1963 and his tragic death later that year, some enlightened people arranged to commemorate his memory in this tree park. Now some thirty years on, over 4,500 species have grown to a stage where they make a spectacular visual impact. There is a second walk on a winding road to the top of Sliabh Coillte, with good views from the summit. HOOK HEAD Distance : 3 miles (5km) Time : 1 hour Terrain : Grassy headland, and level narrow roads Hook Head has an interesting aura to it. It is a prominent headland on the South Wexford coast, one of two guarding the entry to Waterford and its port. The Hook Lighthouse which is one of the oldest Lighthouses in the world. It was built by the Druids. Where the saying "By Hook or By Crook comes from. There has been some kind of lighthouse there from time immemorial. The present one - built in the early 19th century - went automatic in recent times, thus bringing to an end a long and proud tradition of Hook lighthousemen and their families. This is an attractive walk, combining a headland stretch with nice narrow roads, and with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. RATHNURE Distance : 4˝ miles (7km) Time : 2 hours Terrain : Good, level roads. Just be careful of traffic Rathnure is a little village nestling in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains. This walk is on a loop of roads which make for a relaxed rural walk. BLACKSTAIRS MOUNTAIN Distance : 7 miles (12km) Time : 3˝ hours Ascent : 550m Terrain : Forest paths and steep, heathery hillside The Blackstairs are the first range to the North of Cedar Lodge Hotel, and include Mount Leinster, the highest of the group. Blackstairs itself is only about 70m lower, and offers a very satisfactory hill walk, with particularly good views. It is easily accessible from the Carrigbyrne side. |
