Oulart Hill Heritage Walking Trails

Oulart Hill is one of the most charged pieces of ground in Ireland. On 27 May 1798, a rebel force of around 1,000 men annihilated a detachment of 110 militia here, sparking what became known as the Wexford Republic. The walking hub that now spreads across the hill keeps that story legible in the landscape - and if you want to understand the 1798 Rebellion through your feet rather than through a book, there is no better place to start.

What to expect

Three separate looped routes leave from the hill, each suited to a different level of energy and time.

The Cosán na Glóire (Path of Glory, 0.5km) is the short circuit - a few hundred metres that takes in the Tulach a’ tSolais monument, a stone burial mound built for the bicentenary in 1999 and aligned with sunrise on the 21st of June, the date the rebellion was finally crushed at Vinegar Hill. Even if you’re only passing through, this one repays ten minutes.

The Jean Kennedy Smith Walk (4.8km, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes) loops down from the hill into Oulart village. You pass the Tree of Liberty planted by the former US Ambassador in 1995 and the 98 Chapel in the village - waymarked with blue arrows on a white background, so it’s easy to follow without a guide. The terrain is moderate, with some elevation.

The Unyoke Trail (11.5km) is the serious day out. It crosses undulating farmland and includes a 3km stretch of the old medieval Wexford-Dublin coach road - still intact, still unmetalled, still used. From the high ground, the panoramas across north Wexford are wide enough to make the military logic of the site immediately obvious. Allow 3-4 hours and bring layered clothing; conditions on an exposed hill change.

All three routes are self-guided and free. No booking is needed.

Getting there

Oulart sits roughly 15km north of Wexford town and about 15 minutes from Enniscorthy. Take the N11 and look for signs for the village of Oulart - the hill is signposted from the village. There is a car park beside the hill monument and additional parking in the village itself, which is also the starting point for the Jean Kennedy Smith loop. Public transport to Oulart itself is limited, so a car or bicycle is the practical option for most visitors.

While you’re in Oulart

The village retains the 98 Chapel and a handful of monuments that sit quietly alongside everyday life - a place where history has not been cordoned off. There is more to see in Oulart and across Co. Wexford.

Good to know

• Date: Monday 10 August 2026, from 9:00am (trails open during daylight hours)
• Price: Free - all three routes are open access
• Booking: No booking required; self-guided throughout
• What to bring: Sturdy walking shoes or boots, waterproof layer, water and snacks for the longer routes
• Route distances: Cosán na Glóire 0.5km / Jean Kennedy Smith Walk 4.8km / Unyoke Trail 11.5km