Kilranelagh Guided Walking Tour

Step back through thousands of years of Irish history and mythology on a walking tour of Kilranelagh hill in beautiful West Wicklow.

Hear about the history and engaging legends associated with Kilranelagh. Learn about the mysterious and fascinating heroes of old. Get away into nature to explore our forgotten past. This is the real ancient Ireland, where you’ll escape the crowds and find the Ireland you’ve always dreamed of.

The fascinating stories associated with each place will transport you to another time and place.

These sites are not easily accessed without guidance, they are hidden gems, untouched and wild, not to be missed.

There are four tour options to choose from:

Graveyard Tour - a tour of the historic graveyard including Sam MacAllister's monument, the 'Gates of Heaven' and Brigid's Well.

Brigid's tour includes the graveyard, Brigid's Headstone and Chair, and views of Brusslestown Ring - the largest hill fort in Ireland.

Stones tour includes the graveyard, Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle, views of the Keadeen Hill figures and Brusselstown Ring, and Crossoona Ringfort with it's Ogham Stone.

Full tour covers the graveyard and both Brigid's and the Stones routes.

Booking information - Tours must be reserved in advanced as group sizes are small due to the terrain. When booking your ticket you can choose the full tour or scroll down to book tickets for the shorter routes from the Other Routes and Add-ons section.

Tour Routes & Highlights

Starting Point for all routes: Kilranelagh Graveyard at 10.30am

1. Graveyard Tour

We will meet at the historic Kilranelagh graveyard, one of Ireland’s oldest burial sites—possibly second‑oldest in Ireland. Here we will visit the “Gates of Heaven”, the portal‑like orthostats once part of a prehistoric tomb. In the graveyard we will also see the monument to Sam MacAllister, who died protecting rebel hero Michael Dwyer of the 1798 rebellion. We will also visit St Brigid's well and drink of her healing waters.

2. Brigid's Route

We will start off at the graveyard to visit the interesting sites in the graveyard. After this we will take a walk down through the forest on Brigid's Route to find St Brigid's chair and headstone. These are Christian features believed to overlay prehistoric ritual sites, associated with healing pilgrimages. Along the route we will also hear the stories of Buchet's house, Bae Aife and Fingal Ronan.

We will then head back to the historic Kilranelagh Graveyard where you will have time to explore the graveyard on your own or head on your way to explore more of Wonderful West Wicklow.

3. Stones Route

We will meet the historic Kilranelagh Graveyard, where we will visit the “Gates of Heaven”, the monument to Sam MacAllister, and St Brigid's well as outlined above in the Graveyard route.

After that we will jump back in our cars and head over to the other side of the hill for the Stones Route. Here we will follow the forestry road and winding offroad paths to visit Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle, a Bronze Age ritual circle. On this route we will also be able to look out towards the Keadeen Hill cursus and cairn and view the famous Keadeen hill figures. There will also be a wonderful view of Brusslestown Ring, the largest hillfort in Ireland with a little known but fabulous story associated with it.

Finally, we will visit Crossoona Rath, an early medieval ringfort where fairies are said to dance at midnight. Within this earthwork lies an Ogham stone, a rare survival of early Gaelic literacy and territory marking.

4. Full tour

The full tour includes the Graveyard, and both the Brigid and Stones routes. We will start with the Brigid's group to view the graveyard, Brigid's chair and headstone. After this, we will jump into our cars and head to the other side of the hill to continue with the Stones route. This tour encompasses all the magical sites Kilranelagh walking tours has to offer.

What to bring:

Waterproof hiking boots and clothing - Much of the hill walk is on uneven ground and the vegetation may be long and wet, so please wear appropriate waterproof footwear for hiking and bring along warm waterproof clothing in case of bad weather. Trousers are more suitable than shorts thanks to the odd nettle, braken or gorse bush. If you dont have waterproof hiking boots, it is advisable to bring a spare pair of shoes and socks to change into after the walk as the vegetation may be wet.

Water or something hot to drink

Packed lunch or a snack

Hiking poles may also be useful for some of the more uneven areas.

Walking abilities:

Moderate hiking abilities are essential. Some of the route is on forestry roads, but other parts are off path on rough uneven land.

Although the way is rough in some areas, people with limited walking mobility may still be able to do the tour at a slower place. If you have limited walking mobility or feel you may slow the group down, please contact me before booking as a private tour may be more appropriate for you.

Meeting location: Kilranelagh graveyard

Direction and Parking: Kilranelagh is a 10 minute drive from Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. Please note that there is no public transport directly to the graveyard.

Kilranelagh graveyard can be found on Google maps. When you see the signpost with the blue and brown signs for Kilranelagh graveyard and St. Bridget's Well, (see picture included) drive up the lane and go through the gate into the graveyard at the top, there is a small grassy parking area within in the graveyard.

Pleae note that although the graveyard has public access, the rest of the hill is privately owned, and access is only available on guided tours with permission.

Cost:

Graveyard Tour €15

Brigid Tour €30

Stones tour €30

Full Tour €45

Private Tours: Private tours are available:

Full tour: €120 (1 - 10 people) or €160 (11 - 20 people)

Brigid or Stones tours: €100 (1 - 10 people) or €120 (11 - 20 people)

Please contact tirnaglass@gmail.com to arrange a private tour or if you would like to book for just one person.