Parks & Outdoors · Trails · Newbridge · Walking
Curragh Plains Trail
The Curragh Trail is a 15.1 km loop across the open grasslands of the Curragh Plains, linking historic landmarks, ancient earthworks, memorials and film locations. Highlights include Dan Donnelly’s Monument, McGuire’s Hill Ancient Earthworks, Braveheart Hill, burial mounds and the Gibbet Rath Memorial.
Category: Trails
Location: The Curragh Plains, County Kildare
Route type: Loop trail
Distance: Approximately 15.1 km
Best for: Walking, local history, open grassland views, heritage sites
Start / end point: Curragh Plains area near Newbridge / Curragh Camp
Overview
The Curragh Trail is a scenic walking route across one of Ireland’s most remarkable open landscapes. This loop brings walkers through the wide grasslands of the Curragh Plains, passing historic landmarks, ancient earthworks, film locations and memorial sites connected with the area’s long and varied past.
The route is approximately 15.1 km and is best suited to walkers who are comfortable with a longer outdoor trail. The landscape is open and exposed, with broad views across the plains and several points of interest along the way.
Route highlights
The trail includes a series of heritage and landscape waypoints across the Curragh.
Dan Donnelly’s Monument marks the legacy of the famous Irish bare-knuckle boxer Dan Donnelly, whose story is closely associated with the Curragh.
The Trenches offer a reminder of the Curragh’s military history and the long-standing presence of army training in the area.
McGuire’s Hill Ancient Earthworks is one of the archaeological features that show the Curragh’s importance long before its modern sporting and military associations.
Braveheart Hill Movie Location connects the landscape with the filming of Braveheart, which used the Curragh’s open plains as a dramatic backdrop.
Burial Mound and Memorial Stones highlight the area’s deeper archaeological and commemorative layers.
Gibbet Rath Memorial is one of the Curragh’s most significant historic sites, associated with tragic events during the 1798 Rebellion.
What to expect
This is a long open-country trail rather than a woodland or riverside walk. Expect big skies, exposed grassland, distant views, and a strong sense of space. The Curragh’s landscape can feel peaceful and expansive, but it is also a working and protected area with racehorse training, military activity, archaeology and sensitive grassland habitats.
Some sections may be uneven or exposed to wind and rain. There may be limited shelter along the route, so suitable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Heritage along the route
The Curragh is often described as Ireland’s only surviving ancient lowland unenclosed grassland. Its heritage includes archaeology, folklore, military history, horse racing, film, sport and local memory.
The trail gives visitors a good introduction to this layered landscape, linking natural open space with places such as Gibbet Rath, ancient earthworks, memorial stones and historic routes across the plains.
Visiting information
Allow enough time for a longer walk, especially if stopping at each waypoint. Bring water, check the weather before setting out, and be aware that the Curragh is very open and exposed.
Visitors should respect signs and restrictions, keep dogs under control, avoid racehorse training areas, and take care near roads, military lands and sensitive archaeological features. Do not disturb stones, earthworks, memorials or grassland habitats.