Courtown Woodland Guided Tour: A Unique Walk with a Pagan Storyteller
5.0
16 Ratings
Forest Park
Join a unique guided tour of Courtown Woodland with a lifelong pagan and trained storyteller. Discover ancient traditions, foraging tips, and more. Dog-friendly and includes a refreshing Sparkling Nettle Drink!
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
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Forest Park - This is a walk like no other! During the 2.5 hour gentle and low impact walk, you’ll uncover an incredible amount of information. From light foraging to fun bushskills, folklore & ancient Celtic history, The Wood Wide Web; how trees communicate, nurture families and communities, see, taste & even count! You’ll also learn a little about Celtic Paganism, how our ancestors worshipped the Sun and the Earth and how Ireland is home to some of the oldest agricultural festivals in the world!
This is no boring lecture, from the moment you step inside the forest with me, your eyes will be opened to a new and magical world! Which tree was known as the witches tree, and what is the real reason we fill our homes with holly at Christmas? Which trees leave turn to soap when you add water and which humble weed was known to our ancestors as the “goodbye plant” for its cure-all reputation?
Courtown woods is a very special woodlands, only 0.02% of Irish woods are as old as it. Filled with links to our past from a 5th century High Cross, an Iron Age Road and a stunning Chestnut Walk haunted by the Ghost of a young girl.
Come Gallivanting with Lorraine and discover the secret life of trees!
What's Included
- Carbonated beverages
Additional Information
In the extended periods of lockdown during 2020/21, numerous individuals found a renewed interest in outdoor activities. Imagine being able to explore a forest accompanied by a person who has spent their entire life dedicated to paganism, skillful in traditional storytelling (Seanachaí), and is a certified Guide!
The experience this walk offers is entirely up to you — an intriguing stroll providing a range of novel perspectives and useful outdoor tips for future expeditions. It could be a chance to delve into the historical Pagan Ireland and learn how to incorporate ancient customs and rituals into your daily life. Or maybe, you’re just keen on finding out what’s safe to consume if you get peckish during a Sunday hike at your local park!
From supernatural tales to food foraging, wilderness survival skills to pagan beliefs, this unique outdoor adventure caters to all interests. I can assure you, there’s no other tour that compares!
Even your pet dog is welcome to join, and every tour concludes with a crisp bottle of Sparkling Nettle Beverage, courtesy of the highly acclaimed WILDAbout brand. This drink is produced 100% organically from nettles and manufactured just a short 20-minute journey from here!
- Flat terrain, low levels of fitness needed
- opportunities to sit and rest along the way
- Wheelchair accesable but in heavy rain the paths get mucky and ground is bumpy at times
Location
Forest Park
As you enter Courtown Village, you will come to a staggered crossroads, bear left and the car park is situated on the corner on the left hand side
You will see the meeting point, a green sign saying Gallivanting.ie at the entrance to the woods
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(16 Ratings)
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510rytisn
Apr 5, 2024
Best 2 hours in nature. And with the nature. - What a pleasure was to meet this wonderful woman. Extremely knowledgeable whose not only loves nature but has strong connection with it. Thank you 🙏
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880krisnab
Aug 8, 2023
A master naturalist - wonderful experience! - Lorraine is a master naturalist and a wonderful person - so giving of her time and knowledge. It was a wonderful, real way to be introduced to Ireland -- throughout our trip, we found ourselves eating nettle seeds whenever we could, or sharing one of her stories about the plants with family we were visiting. Thank you!
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Pooka3us
Feb 25, 2023
Fabulous family holiday - Beautiful area , loved the beaches . Relaxing and friendly . A great place for all ages and near to all amenities.
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Per31
Jul 15, 2022
Excellent - Excellent, we both really enjoyed the tour. Lorraine is very knowledgeable and passionate about nature and history. We would definitely recommend this tour. It is something different and suitable for everyone.
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Hawthornsoul
Apr 11, 2022
A magical and nourishing woodland tour - Lorraine is welcoming, friendly, knowledgable, and highly skilled. She has a gift for storytelling combined with deep respect for the woods. On our tour I learned about local history and folklore, about the woodwide web, foraging and plant medicine, and the need for us all to be stewards of the woods. I came away with greater knowledge, deeper respect for nature, and with a lightness of spirit. Definitely recommend! Take warm clothing and enjoy☺️!
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Alexjconway
Mar 17, 2022
Great woodland tour - Courtown woods is beautiful and Lorraine was knowledgeable and engaging. I would definitely do it again.
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Solesole3
Jan 22, 2022
I absolutely recommend Lorraine - I had occasion to meet Lorraine and his daughter. They are very positive, kindly and friendly. Also l appreciate the ironic interesting since of humor of Lorraine. I had a very good time, and i felt the good energy of this persons. She explained me interest things about nature and gave a precious advice how the nature can help me a manage personal doubt. I recommend absolutely! Hope to see you again, thank you Lorraine.
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O0caoimhe0o
Aug 20, 2021
Hidden Gem, would recommend to anyone - Went on a walk with Lorraine a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. She was full of knowledge and fun stories, and was outgoing and charming. I learnt so much and also just had a great time and a laugh. Would recommend to anyone in Wexford, such a hidden gem
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B_ibh_nn0
Jul 31, 2021
Interesting and engaging tour - Fantastic and informative tour ! Really enjoyed the whole experience and would completely recommend!
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Loralove182
Jul 7, 2021
unforgettable - gallivanting is a very apt name for this experience. it's chill and was a lovely stroll but I also find it hard to put into words how truly amazing it was (you MUST go to see for yourself!). Lorraine was an absolute dream. she made us feel so welcome into the woods that she knew all too well, and also explained and taught us everything with such excitement as if we were all experiencing it for the first time together. she made what others may see as a generic walk through the woods into an unforgettable experience. I'd recommend this to anyone who is going to courtown or gorey or surrounding areas. I believe people of all ages will find this experience enjoyable and definitely one to remember.
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