Kelly’s Wood Walking Trails

Kelly’s Wood Walking Trail just outside New Ross has two easy short walking trails looping through the wood.

 

A tranquil walk around a natural oak-dominated wood, the Oaklands Trail is elevated in part and overlooks the fishing ponds. The Limekiln Trail is a linear spur trail off the Oaklands Trail which leads to an old stone limekiln and icehouse.

 

Kelly’s Wood or Oaklands was the seat of the Tyndall family who are descendants of John Tyndall of  Gloucestershire. The Tyndall’s came to Ireland during the Cromwellian campaign. John Tyndall had a grant of land confirmed to him in 1668. His wife was Isabelle de Rinzy came from Wexford. A fire in 1957 destroyed the house. The remains of the icehouse and limekiln are worth checking out.

 

Now managed by Coillte, Oaklands is a good example of wet woodlands. Wet woodlands are important for the less conspicuous elements of biodiversity such as 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.

 

Under the canopy of oak, holly and rowan grow. Bluebells, primrose and wood anemone bloom in spring. Typical ground flora includes woodrush, bilberry and ferns

 

The Trailhead is at the car park beside Oaklands Fishing Lake on the Campile road (R733) just off the N25 ring road.

It is possible to walk to Kelly’s Wood from New Ross town via the public footpath along the R733.

 

If you want to explore more Wexford walking trails, don’t miss our blog Best Walking Trails in County Wexford.