TARA

HILL

TARA HILL

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Rising from the flat coastal plains of northeast Wexford, Tara Hill (Torrchoill) offers a dramatic and windswept escape just minutes from the Irish Sea. Not to be confused with “The Hill of Tara” in County Meath, this isolated 253-meter hill commands the skyline near Gorey.

JUMP TO THE PHOTOS

Features

The hill’s primary draw is its walking trails that blend natural beauty with local history.

At the very top sits a prehistoric stone cairn. While ancient, it was also used more recently as a strategic lookout during military surveys. On a clear day, the panorama is unmatched: you can see the curve of the Wexford coastline, the Wicklow Mountains to the north, and occasionally even the silhouette of Mount Snowdon in Wales is apparently visible across the Irish Sea.

The slopes are also dotted with remnants of the past. As you hike, you may encounter the haunting ruins of a famine-era village and "Soldier’s Hollow," a site connected to the 1798 Rebellion.

Flora and Fauna

The distinct mix of furze (gorse) and pine forest creates a rich habitat. Keep an eye out for kestrels and sparrowhawks hunting above the tree line.

Choose Your Trail

There are two main waymarked loops. The Red Trail (Slí an tSuaimhnais) starts near the cemetery and is a moderate, meditative loop passing a historic 1798 graveyard. The Blue Trail (Slí na n-Óg) is slightly more demanding, starting from the "Crab Tree" parking area, and takes you higher toward the summit and the famine ruins.