Raheenleagh
Overview
Raheenleagh (the small grey rath or fort), has hosted many visitors over the years. In prehistoric times it was a burial site. In 1795, miners panned for gold, and in 1798, the United Irish men, returning from the battle of Vinegar Hill, camped beside the trail entrance. The Forde family were the last residents of Raheenleagh hill. Their hard-won mountain farmland provided shelter for their home, their livelihood and also the route for the eight mile walk to the Saturday night dance at Ballycoog. The hard winters of the early 1940s forced the Fordes off the Mountain to lower ground and Coillte has harvested forestry at Raheenleagh since then.
The site in the mountains is on the Wexford/Wicklow border where the army of the United Irishmen sought refuge from Crown forces in the aftermath of the 1798 rebellion.
Now Coillte, in partnership with the Electricity Supply Board, are also harvesting the power of the wind at Raheenleagh to drive eleven electricity-generating turbines.
Become our most recent Raheenleagh visitor, walk alongside the turbines, see the magnificent sea and land views from our viewing points, sit and rest under a turbine blade and listen. You will hear the swish of the wind past the turbine blade and just maybe the faint echo of a happy miner or the footstep and stories of the Fordes, heading home from the dance.
Take exit 21 from Dublin/ Wexford off the M11, follow towards Inch, at Londis shop take right towards Coolgreany. Straight through village, at Coolgreany Inn take a left, follow through to next village (Ballyfad), take right just before post office/shop. Follow up hill to fork in road, take right at sign for Raheenleagh, straight on to parking/entrance on right.
Things to do
3 walking trails can be enjoyed in Raheenleagh:
CROGHAN TRAIL Distance: 8km (5 miles) Ascent: 160m Walking time: 2hr 20min Waymarking: Blue Grade: Moderate
FORDE’S FARMHOUSE TRAIL Distance : 4.3km (2.7 miles) Ascent : 60m Walking time: 1hr Waymarking: Green Grade: Moderate
BANN RIVER TRAIL Distance: 5.25km (3.3 miles) Ascent: 120m Walking time: 1hr 15min Waymarking: Red Grade: Moderate
Don't miss our hidden gem
The opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the impressive 133m tall wind turbines, each of which is capable of generating enough electricity to power over 2,000 homes.
The chance, on a clear day, to see the highest mountain in Wales, the 1,085m Mount Snowdon, across the Irish Sea.
The view over the Gold Mines River where in 1795, thousands of prospectors gathered to seek their fortune in the great Wicklow Gold Rush.
Visitors Facilities on site
Car park for 10 cars
Nearby pit stops
Arklow town
Gorey town