Oulart: 1798 remembrance and walking trails
Accommodation in Oulart
Oulart brings the memory of the 1798 Rebellion together with the architectural history of the Catholic Saint Patrick’s Chapel. The walking trails also vary in length and difficulty, ranging from a short stroll to a longer hike.
Memorial sites to the 1798 Rebellion
Oulart Hill was the site of one of the most important battles of the 1798 Rebellion. The 1798 Monument in Oulart commemorates Reverend Father John Murphy and the men from North Wexford who fought and won the Battle of Oulart Hill. The Mise-Éire Monument stands in the heart of the village.
Saint Patrick’s Chapel: history of construction and use
The Catholic Saint Patrick’s Chapel is an important part of Oulart’s 18th-century architectural heritage. It was built in 1753, burned down in 1798 and rebuilt in 1801. It closed in 1909 and was put to another use in 1924. It was restored in 1998 to allow occasional use.
Walking trails with different profiles
The Jean Kennedy Smith Walk is a moderate 4.5 km circular route. Its start and finish point is outside the GAA grounds in Oulart Village. The route passes Mochua’s Chapel and several other 1798 sites and monuments, and offers panoramic views across most of County Wexford. The Jean Kennedy Smith Trail includes the Tree of Liberty and Tulach a’tSolais.
Near Oulart, the Oulart Hill 1798 Battlefield Walking Hub has three walking trails. Cosán na Glóire is an easy 0.5 km stroll, taking about 15 minutes to walk. The Unyoke Trail is moderate, 11.5 km long, has an elevation gain of 179 m and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Unyoke Trail also includes 3 km of the still unspoilt medieval coach road between Wexford and Dublin. The time required therefore ranges from a short stroll to a considerably longer hike; check local conditions before setting out.
Nearby, Tulach a’tSolais was built to commemorate the bicentenary of the Rebellion. Its alignment captures the sunset at the spring and autumn equinoxes.
More places to explore in County Wexford
Other places in County Wexford offer their own highlights of history and landscape. The Irish National Heritage Park is a 35-acre open-air museum with 16 reconstructed sites; its visitor activities include workshops and courses for people of all ages. At the tip of the Hook Peninsula stands Hook Lighthouse; guided tours tell 800 years of lighthouse history. If you plan to take a tour, check booking arrangements in advance. Tintern Cistercian Abbey was founded around 1200 by William, Earl Marshal. It is set in a special area of conservation and surrounded by woodland with walking trails.
The Ferns Village Heritage Trail is another walking option in County Wexford and is just under 2.5 km long. In length, it falls between the 0.5 km Cosán na Glóire and the 4.5 km Jean Kennedy Smith Walk. The county-wide Wexford Walking Trails network includes more than 80 waymarked routes at 39 locations.
Discover more destinations: Cam Eolaing, Ballygillane Little, Ferns, Kilmuckridge, Arthurstown, Raheen, New Ross, Wexford.
For the broader travel overview: County Wexford.
