Ballyfad Walk
History
The Ballyfad Walk is set in over 200 acres of mature woodland near Coolgreany, Co. Wexford, which is an example of an old woodland site that is shown in the original 1835 Ordnance Survey map.
Such old woodland sites are relicts of the original vast forests that covered most of the country prior to the 16th century and are rich in biodiversity as they have never been fully clear-felled.The wood contains some of the oldest oak trees in the country, and the trails meander through this stunning old woodland.
At the time Avondale was bought, 300 acres of woods at Ballyfad, Co. Wexford were taken over by the State and run from Avondale. The woods at Ballyfad were acquired by the government from the Brooke Estate in 1904 at a cost of over £3,000.
Trails
Beech Trail follows forest road and path through a peaceful wood of old mature trees including beech planted in 1925, with an abundance of wildlife and wild flowers and fine views of Tara Hill.
Old Mass Path Trail follows forest road and path through a peaceful wood of old mature trees including oak and beech, with an abundance of wildlife and wild flowers and fine views of Croghan Mountain, Tara Hill and the coast.
Bluebell trail follows forest road and path through a peaceful wood of old mature trees including oak dating from 1820, with an abundance of wildlife and wild flowers particularly masses of bluebells, and scenic views of Tara Hill and Croghan Mountain. A rookery of thousands of crows in winter is well worth seeing as they gather in the evening.
Ballyfad trail follows the main road through a peaceful wood and was the first trail before the others were created. It joins with other trails so it can easily be switched creating a different experience each time.