Walking:
Bunclody is surrounded by mountains which are easily accessible from the Town. WLD has delivered a series of walking trail training programmes over the last 18 months involving 16 communities around the county including Bunclody. There are a series of well-developed walks near Bunclody including Kilbrannish Loop; Coolmelagh Loop and Mount Leinster.
Bunclody is also situated just 5 km from the end of the Wicklow Way in Clonegal. This is a popular long distance walking trail over 127 km long which continues up to South Dublin. There is also the South Leinster Way that starts near Bunclody and this is a long distance walking route which runs from Kildavin, Co. Carlow to Carrick-on-Suir in Co. Tipperary covering 102 km in length. The predominant features in the landscape are Mount Leinster, Brandon Hill and the river valleys of the Barrow, Nore and Suir.
It was recognised that walking trails are one of the Town’s major tourist assets which are currently under-developed. It was felt there was scope to develop these further through advancing new trails; more promotion of the existing trails and also encouraging guided walking trails. There is a company called Blackstairs Eco Trails, based in Borris which offers Eco Trails, Guided Hikes, Workshops, Foraging, Foraging Hen Events, Teachers Courses, School Visits, Childrens’ Trails and Fun in the Wild. Links could be developed with this company to identify if guided walking tours could be made available to visitors staying in Bunclody. Annual events could also be designed around foraging or other eco themes.
Name of Trail | Kilbrannish South Forest ( White ) |
Trailhead | Corraby Gap |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6558283 -6.7701055 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/zThNJQMAgkG4dema7 |
Distance / Time | 14 km 4hrs |
Grade | Moderate/Challenging |
Ascent | 390m |
Terrain | Road / Forest Trail |
Name of Trail | Kilbrannish South Forest ( Green ) |
Trailhead | Corraby Gap |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6558283 -6.7701055 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/zThNJQMAgkG4dema7 |
Distance / Time | 9.5 km 3hr |
Grade | Moderate (Medium Loop) |
Ascent | 382m |
Terrain | Road / Forest Trail |
This recently launched walk takes you through pine and beech forests up to the summit of Gibbet Hill. A number of places on this hill you’ll notice some fine stone walls made out of flattish pieces of rock. In the eighteenth century there was a slate quarry on the hill. In early May expect to see a carpet of bluebells, thriving quietly away beneath the beech trees.
Name of Trail | Prospect Loop ( Blue ) |
Trailhead | Coolmelagh |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.68636 – 6.57963 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/fPmp6kTXA95JLVPy9 |
Distance / Time | 5.4 km 1hr 30min |
Grade | Easy |
Ascent | 140m |
Terrain | Forest Trail |
Name of Trail | South Leinster Way |
Trailhead | Kildavin/Carlow |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.68360 – 6.68477 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/artip6EhzBfKK87XA |
Distance / Time | 102 km |
Grade | Long distance Linear walk |
Ascent | |
Terrain | Roads/ Forest Trail |
It was acknowledged that the Blackstairs Mountains have huge tourism potential which is currently under-developed and not promoted significantly either within the Town or to the domestic / international visitor. It was felt that there is considerable scope to offer 1 day tours using a mini bus or through a business model like Hook Safari that operates on the Hook Peninsula.
Name of Trail | Mt Leinster ( 9 Stones Car Park ) |
Trailhead | Open Mountain No Trailhead |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.63726927530189, -6.793461471164923 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/RA5vwbfdeGivE8ZH8– |
Distance / Time | |
Grade | – |
Ascent | – |
Terrain | – |
Name of Trail | Craan Lane |
Trailhead | Market Square Bunclody |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6555435 -6.6513263 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/Q2oFK3nYbgfrzzwv9 |
Distance / Time | 15 km 3-4hrs |
Grade | Moderate |
Ascent | 31m |
Terrain | Country Roads |
Name of Trail | Wicklow Way |
Trailhead | Clonegal/Carlow |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.69553104308368, -6.64839482900732 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/aW3fxv7PoW4MYR277 |
Distance / Time | 132 km |
Grade | Long distance Linear walk |
Ascent | 133m |
Terrain | Roads/ Forest Trail |
Name of Trail | John’s Hill – White Loop |
Trailhead | Kilbrannish Car Park |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6564606 -6.7545627 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/1MiuAsTdWoEctWCe6 |
Distance / Time | 11km 3hr |
Grade | Moderate |
Ascent | – |
Terrain | Forest Trail / Track |
Name of Trail | Long Lane |
Trailhead | Market Square Bunclody |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6555435 -6.6513263 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/Q2oFK3nYbgfrzzwv9 |
Distance / Time | 8 km 2hrs |
Grade | Moderate |
Ascent | 31m |
Terrain | Country Roads |
Name of Trail | Coolmelagh (Red) |
Trailhead | Coolmelagh |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.68615 – 6.57963 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/YaQrTMzL8SnWrJpL7 |
Distance / Time | 13.3km 3hrs |
Grade | Moderate |
Ascent | 280m |
Terrain | Forest Trail |
Name of Trail | Columbanus Way |
Trailhead | Tirlan Carrickduff Bunclody |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6569408 -6.6578714 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/QKwgd3UQqj4WdA1YA |
Distance / Time | 13km 3hrs |
Grade | Moderate |
Ascent | 112m |
Terrain | Roads/ Forest Trail |
Bunclody Town has a rich heritage and it was felt that this could be further promoted. It was also recognised that there is a need to provide in-door facilities so that visitors have things to do when the weather is inclement. Some suggestions included a historical Museum. This could possibly be located in one of the vacant buildings in the Town. This could include a photographic exhibition and artefacts representing Bunclody’s history. Reference was made to ‘Enniscorthy Castle’ and how successfully this has promoted Enniscorthy’s heritage. Another excellent example is the ‘St Conall’s Museum and Heritage Centre’ in a small village called Glenties, County Donegal. According to the Rough Guide of Ireland it is one of the best small-Town museums in the country and displays much material of local interest, focusing on wildlife, Donegal’s railways, antiquities, and the effects of the Great Famine. It also holds a Summer School in late July, attracting hundreds of people to its exhibitions, seminars and literary debates.
There are a wealth of historic houses
and gardens within close proximity to Bunclody including:
- Newtownbarry House
- Altamount Gardens
- Huntington Castle
- Borris Castle
- Lucy’s Wood Garden
- Tombrick Gardens
These gardens are members of either the Wexford or Carlow Garden Trails that are widely publicised nationally through websites or in brochures. It was recognised that because Bunclody is located on the border between Co. Carlow and Co. Wexford, visitors are not always aware of the gardens in close proximity to the Town.
It was felt very important that all of these attractions should be jointly publicised to visitors who are staying in Bunclody or the neighboring area.
Name of Trail | Windmill Loop |
Trailhead | Kilbrannish Car Park |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6564606 -6.7545627 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/1MiuAsTdWoEctWCe6 |
Distance / Time | 3 km 1hr |
Grade | Easy |
Ascent | 310m |
Terrain | Forest Trail |
Horse riding:
The opportunity to do pony trekking in the mountains was considered and it was felt that current facilities are not well known. There is the Anvil Lodge Riding School based in Ballindaggan which is 11 km from Bunclody and it offers individual and group packages and it was felt that this could be promoted further.
Name of Trail | Kilbrannish South Forest ( Red ) |
Trailhead | Corraby Gap |
GPS Co-ordinates | 52.6558283 -6.7701055 |
Google Map Link | https://goo.gl/maps/zThNJQMAgkG4dema7 |
Distance / Time | 6.5m 2hr |
Grade | Moderate (Short Loop) |
Ascent | 382m |
Terrain | Road / Forest Trail |