Black Rock Mountain is in the northwest corner of County Wexford at the northern end of the Blackstairs Mountains. On a clear day, there are stunning views over counties Wexford and Carlow. Black Rock reaches a height of almost 600 metres and sits alongside Mount Leinster, the highest peak in the Blackstairs Range at 794 metres. Black Rock contains many interesting geological features and is home to unique habitats, plants, and animals.
Like much of Ireland, the landscape has been shaped by the last ice age, but you can also see uncovered examples of granite, the main bedrock of the Blackstairs Mountains. Black Rock is dotted with blockfields of loose rocks and large rocky outcrops called tors, known locally as Brans. The mountain is within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It contains dry heath, wet heath, and some of the best examples of blanket bog in the Blackstairs.
Evidence of human activities can also be seen. Booley huts were used as shelters when people brought cattle to the upper slopes of the mountain during the summer. The turf cutters hut was built during World War II when turf production was increased to provide fuel.
Black Rock can be accessed from Ballycrystal Forest where a forest path takes you along the lower slopes. Access to the upper slopes is only by tracks. This walk can be extended towards Mount Leinster. Please be a responsible visitor, ensure your own safety by planning your routes and obeying the countryside code.