Foreword

The following guide provides visitors with some interesting information about Wexford Town and County. Below that, there's a link guide to tourism websites in the area.

Below the links guide you can find maps of Wexford town and county.

 About Wexford (Population approx. 104,000)

With such a diversity of tourist attractions, splendid facilities for the holidaymaker and because of the fact that the County enjoys the warmest, and sunniest, climate in Ireland, it is little wonder that thousands of visitors flock to County Wexford for holidays each year. With car ferries berthing daily at Rosslare to British and Continental ports, many more thousands of overseas visitors join the happy crowds of Irish holidaymakers, on the safe, sandy beaches of Wexford or visit the many visitor attractions in the area.

A County noted for its friendliness, its honest earthy flavour and its changing scenery which varies from wide expanses of beaches and coastline to lush green pastures, blue mountains and rolling hills, Wexford is an ideal place to relax and renew the flagging spirit on yearly holiday or a weekend break.

The County can be divided into six holiday locations, each with different attractions for the visitor. To the north of the County lies Gorey, close to the very popular seaside resort of Courtown with its magnificent beaches. Rolling countryside from Tara Hill to Croghan mountain beckons for forest walks, with changing scenery and a gentle ambiance that is sure to soothe the fevered brow.

To the north-west, Bunclody nestles under the Blackstairs mountains in beautiful countryside on the River Slaney with river, mountain and forest walks and road access to the top of Mount Leinster from which there are spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

In the centre of the County, Enniscorthy stands under historic Vinegar Hill in the heart of the Slaney Valley, with the beautiful gothic designed Cathedral a dominant feature along with the 12th century Norman Castle which houses the County Museum containing unique exhibits from Wexford's turbulent past, including the 1798 Insurrection which ended in bloody battle on Vinegar Hill. Located 500 metres from the centre of Enniscorthy is the National 1798 Visitor Centre. Enniscorthy is the centre of the popular County Wexford Strawberry Fair which is held in July each year. The Boolavogue Fr. Murphy Centre near Ferns is well worth a visit.

To the south-east lies Wexford the capital town of Viking and Norman origins with its quaint narrow streets and striking waterfront. Major attractions in this area include the Irish National Heritage Park, the Wildfowl Reserve on the North Slobs, Johnsown Castle with its Irish Agricultural Museum, Selskar Abbey and the restoration of the Westgate Tower and town wall, which, when completed, will represent one of the largest intact sections of mediaeval town wall in Ireland. Along this part of the coastline are the seaside resorts of Curracloe with its miles of safe sandy beach, Rosslare and Kilmore Quay with the Saltee Islands lying offshore. Wexford Town has won international renown with its Opera Festival in October each year.

To the west of the County, New Ross stands on the River Barrow, a boating paradise featuring the unique Galley cruising waterfront. The nearby John F. Kennedy Park and Arboretum with its 600 acres of forest gardens, woodlands and lake waterfront, Ireland's unique Emigrant Ship The Dunbrody which is a full-scale reproduction of a 19th century Famine Ship, Ballylane Farm and the Kennedy Homestead at Dunganstown are a must for the visitor.

The extreme south of the County is an area rich in heritage and history embracing Dunbrody Abbey, Tintern Abbey, Hook Lighthouse, one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world, and Hook Head at the tip of the rugged splendour of the Hook Peninsula. Lovely fishing villages such as Duncannon, Ballyhack, Fethard-on-Sea, and Slade dot the coastline. A veritable paradise for sea anglers. Reminders of the Norman invasion can still be seen at Baginbun.

For the active visitor, County Wexford has much to offer - fine golf courses, a good choice of horse riding facilities, river and sea angling and a variety of water and adventure sports. For the lazy visitor, County Wexford is a place to relax. Excellent hotels, guesthouses, restuarants and pubs are spread throughout the County. Many of the hotels have excellent indoor leisure facilities such as indoor heated swimming pools, jacuzzi, tennis, sauna and other activity or relaxation facilities. The area boasts no less than four Blue Flag Beaches.

It all adds up to a good place to visit and stay for a memorable holiday!

 Maps of Wexford

Click here to view a map of Wexford County.

Click here to view a map of Wexford Town.