recommended route
Stage 5
WPPW 5. Our Lady's Island to Rosslare
British Pilgrimage Trust
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Walking to the seaPhoto: British Pilgrimage Trust
The fifth and last stage in Ireland of the Wexford–Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way before crossing the Irish Sea to Wales to continue the journey to St Davids.
Our Lady's Well is the destination of a Pattern pilgrimage event each year on 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption. The well is surrounded by white walls with a gate on the eastern side. Two stone steps take you down to the well. There is a short but quite charming walk down the old pilgrimage track, with its two stone stiles. Find a standing stone in the nearby graveyard.
As you approach Rosslare along the clifftops, there is a panoramic view across Wexford Harbour towards the North Slobs. In the 19th century, a seawall was constructed and a large area of the Harbour was reclaimed from the ocean. This low-lying area is now the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve where over 250 species of bird have been recorded. The reserve was established to provide a winter home for the 8,500 White-Fronted Geese who arrive each year on their own pilgrimage from Greenland. The seawall also meant that the former Beggerin Island became part of the mainland and now forms a portion of the modern Beggerin Estate.
Author’s recommendation
If doing the whole pilgrimage, fill your third small bottle with the water from Our Lady's Holy Well to carry to St Davids.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
[This is a route in development and is currently going through the Sport Ireland accreditation process. Although some sections of the route are on existing accredited Wexford Walking Trails (Ferns Village, Oulart Hill, Three Rocks Trail and Carne to Rosslare), all other parts of Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way route have yet to be accredited. Accordingly, Wexford County Council and its route development partners do not accept responsibility and are not liable for any loss, damage or injury which may arise and all users and participants should take all necessary care to satisfy themselves of the suitability and safety of the route.]
Tips and hints
Highlights of this route include:
- Our Lady’s Holy Well, a very old well which has been a pilgrimage destination for thousands of years
- Magnificent cliff walk, with panoramic views with beach walk at low tide
- Wexford Harbour with 19th Century harbour walls.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
- The best option for the final section of your pilgrim route to Rosslare is to set out near low tide. You can check the tides at https://www.tidesnear.me/tide_stations/3408
- From the Church of the Assumption go left and then right at a T-junction. Then follow the old pilgrim path right to reach Lady’s Holy Well. Fill your third bottle with the water from this well and carry it to St Davids.
- Initially go left up the road to the Shad Cross where secret masses were held in the open air during the Penal times when celebrating mass was forbidden. If the tides are favourable bear right at Shard Crossroads and follow St Margaret’s Lane to the beach. Here, your route is to the left and is possible to walk by beach and clifftop path all the way to Rosslare Europort.
- For two hours on either side of high tide, the beach route is impassable, and it is necessary to take an inland diversion that connects to the Rosslare Harbour Cliff Walk.
- If you are setting out during the impassable period, instead of turning right onto St Margaret’s Lane, go straight through the Cross of the Pump, then straight on at the Millpond crossroads. Again, it is straight on at the Cross of the Barracks to follow the dog-leg bends of Fairy Lane.
- It is left at the T-junction through the golf course, and then it is second right. Take a left and continue along the lane until it joins with the Rosslare Cliff Walk. Then follow the path along the sand dunes and beach all the way to join the access road into Rosslare Harbour.
By road
OUR LADY'S ISLAND
Local Link Bus from Our Lady's Island is not a frequent service.
Buses from Killinick to Wexford/ Rosslare Harbour regularly
Local link bus from Ferns to Gorey one per day in each direction.
Bus Éireann: https://www.buseireann.ie/
Wexford Bus: https://www.wexfordbus.com/
Taxi: JR Taxis 086 210 5800
ROSSLARE
If continuing to Wales:
The Stena Line ferry crosses to Wales twice a day at 7.30 am (arriving at 11am) and 6.15 pm (arriving at 21.45 pm). Details of the route, times and costs are at: https://www.stenaline.co.uk/routes/fishguard-rosslare.
If you are a foot passenger, enter the terminal building and check-in. From here you will be taken by bus to the ferry for your journey to Wales.
If remaining in Ireland:
By Bus
Bus Eireann provide a frequent bus service between Wexford bus station and the port. In Wexford bus station Bus Eireann operate many bus routes connecting Wexford to major towns and cities. See https://www.buseireann.ie/ for more information
Wexford Bus - operate a choice of bus services between Wexford, Waterford, Carlow and Dublin City & Airport. Please see the https://www.wexfordbus.com/ for more information
Local Link - offer a local town and village service in the county of Wexford. Visit https://locallinkwexford.ie/ for more information
Bus facilities can be accessed outside the main terminal building
By Train
Iarnród Éireann operate the Dublin (Connolly) to Rosslare Europort railway line. There are up to 5 services each way daily.
Rosslare Europort train station is located within seven-minute walk from the terminal building, simply follow the designated signs!
For the latest train timetable information and to book tickets go to the https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Fascinating Wexford History, Volume One
Des Kelly ISBN:978-0-9933960-7-6
Fascinating Wexford History, Volume Two
Des Kelly ISBN 978-0-933960-8-3
Author’s map recommendations
Ireland
There are two maps from the OSI numbers 69 and 77.
(69 covers Ferns to Oulart and 77 covers the rest of the route)
You can buy them at https://store.osi.ie/
Wales
Ordnance Survey - OL 35 - North Pembrokeshire - 1:25000
You can buy this at https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/
Equipment
Backpack for carrying waterproofs (whatever the weather forecast says)
Spare clothing including hat / gloves
Water (1 litre)
Food including high energy bars
Phone with spare battery charger
Downloaded online and/or paper map
Suntan lotion
First aid kit
Sturdy boots preferably with ankle support
Layered clothing to adapt to changeable weather
Walking stick or staff (optional).
Statistics
- 3 Waypoints
- 3 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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Photos from others