Tara Hill 
Good to Know
Sat Nav:
Ballinacarrig/Crab Tree (Blue Trailhead): 52.694573, -6.227941
Kilcavan (Red Trailhead): 52.707342, -6.216730
OSI Discovery Map Series 62
Grid Reference: T 207 619
Parking: Y
- In the Church carpark is a board outlining the geological and historical background of this fascinating area.
- Watch out for the evidence on the Blue trail of the famine village and other buildings on the hill which gave shelter and sustenance to its people during Ireland’s troubled times.
At 252 metres, this heather-sloped rocky outcrop gives panoramic views upand down the Wexford / Wicklow coastline. Two trails, starting from two different trailheads (Crab Tree – Blue and Cemetery – Red) give you different flavours of Tara Hill and its surroundings. The Red Slí an tSuaimhnais trail begins from Tara Hill cemetery just beyond the village itself and there is ample car-parking space. This trail brings you along atmospheric laneways which now and again open out to reveal the wonderful views of the coast. Look out for a 1798 graveyard and on the final sections of this walk you will notice the Stations of the Cross attached to the trees, where locals used to come and pray in remembrance of times past.
The more demanding Blue Slí na n-Óg trail, beginning from the Ballinacarrig parking place (known locally as the Crab Tree) brings you on a walk which encompasses not just the higher slopes of Tara Hill itself, but its fascinating historical past. Along the way you will encounter the remains of a famine village, Soldier’s Hollow, Table Rock and on the summit, the cairn. This cairn has the crow’s-foot mark showing it was part of a military survey, using its height to provide possible defence in times of invasion. From this position can be seen Mount Snowdon in Wales, Croghan Kinsella in Co. Wicklow and Oulart Hill further south in Co. Wexford. On both walks, flora and fauna are in abundance, and the keen-eyed walker will sometimes spot the sparrowhawk and kestrel.

Trail
Distance
Ascent
Walking time
Waymarking
Grade
Blue Trail
5.4 km (3.4 miles)
201m
1hr 15 min
Blue
Moderate
Red Trail
5km (3.1 miles)
110m
1 hour
Red
Moderate
Distance:5.4 km (3.4 miles)
Ascent: 201m
Walking Time: 1hr 15 min
Waymarking: Blue
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)
Ascent: 110m
Walking Time: 1 hour
Waymarking: Red
Grade: Moderate
Getting Here
Directions to the Red Trailhead:
From Gorey, take R772 (old Dublin Rd) North from Gorey. After Café/Car sales take the right to Ballymoney. Take first left at crossroads (the Cuckoo’s Nest) followed by first right. Stay on this road until you come to starting point of red trail on the left opposite Kilcavan Graveyard.
From the M11 take exit 22 for Gorey. Take first left for Ballymoney and continue as above.
Suitable for bus parking.
Directions to the Blue Trailhead:
From Gorey, take R772 (old Dublin Rd) North from Gorey. After Café/Car sales take the right to Ballymoney. Go straight through crossroads (the Cuckoo’s Nest) and stay on road until you come to V in the road and keep left for Tara Hill. Take the first left 0.5km and the Crab Tree parking is at top of road.
From the M11 take exit 22 for Gorey. Take first left for Ballymoney and continue as above.
No bus parking and limited space for up to 4 cars.