Jenkinstown: Woodland Trails, Parkland and Cultural History

In Jenkinstown, parkland, woodland trails and cultural history come together. Exploring the area, you can choose between shorter and longer circular trails, discover the remains of a historic country estate complex and get to know the park with its trees and wildlife. The area’s connection with the poet Thomas Moore is also part of its history.

Cultural history around Jenkinstown House

Thomas Moore wrote “The Last Rose of Summer” in 1805 during his stay in Jenkinstown. This literary connection also appears in the name of a newly created trail in Jenkinstown Wood: it is called “The Last Rose of Summer Walk”. Jenkinstown House, in turn, preserves significant remains of a once extensive country estate complex built for Sir Patrick Bellew. The Gothic Hall is a striking example of Gothic architecture. The house also includes an attached private Catholic estate chapel dating from around 1825. In Jenkinstown, literary memories and architectural traces of the former estate thus stand side by side.

Circular trails of different lengths

For a shorter walk, consider the Jenkinstown Wood – Walled Garden Loop: this easy circular trail is 2 km long and starts and ends at the Jenkinstown Wood car park. It follows a woodland trail within the walls of the old estate. If you’re planning a longer route, the Jenkinstown Wood Loop offers another easy circular walk. It is 3.3 km long, with a stated walking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route passes through woodland and parkland on a woodland trail and a sandy path. Along the way, it follows a section of the old stone wall of the former estate and passes a turn-off to St Colman's Well. The stated distances and walking times help you distinguish between the two circular trails according to the distance you want to cover.

Another trail in Jenkinstown Wood is 1.2 km long and was made fully accessible as part of a redevelopment. The redevelopment also included a ramp between the car park and the expanded picnic area. This trail therefore differs from the two circular routes in both length and stated feature; take care not to confuse the three trails when planning.

Parkland nature and seasonal highlights

Jenkinstown Park retains traces of the parkland landscape dating from the 1870s, including rare Chinese parasol trees. The park’s main tree species also include beech, ash, oak and spruce. Bluebells form a carpet of purple blooms among the beeches from mid to late April. If you would like to experience this particular seasonal sight, you can take this period into account when planning your trip.

Wildlife also shapes the park: foxes, badgers, stoats, and red and grey squirrels live there; deer are kept in an enclosure. Jenkinstown Park also has a wildlife park, a craft centre and a picnic area. Together with the variety of trails, these offer several ways to tailor your visit to your interests—whether you prefer a short loop, a longer walk, wildlife watching or exploring the historic traces. The North Kilkenny Cycle Loop runs from The Parade in Kilkenny city centre to Jenkinstown Park, offering an additional option for planning a cycling trip.

Discover more places

You can also include Ballyragget, Castlecomer, Mooncoin, Graiguenamanagh, Callan, Slieveroe, Mullinvat and Bennettsbridge in your wider holiday plans.

For the broader travel overview: County Kilkenny.