Explore The

Rich Heritage of Wexford

From lying on beaches to more active past times, there are lots of things to see and do here.

Wexford Craft Trail

Across historic County Wexford in towns, villages and down country lanes you will find the studios of a wide variety of traditional crafts, from pottery to millinery to sculpture and jewellery, where you can talk to the artists and craftsmen and women about their work.

Click Here For More Information

Wexford Walking Trails

In County Wexford we have a diversity of walking trails to accommodate a range of abilities, ages and interests, including mountain and hill walking, coastal walks, riverside and woodland walks, historic and scenic walks. Visit Wexford Walking Trails for maps and more information.

Click Here For More Information

Wexford Heritage Trail

An age-old gateway into Ireland, County Wexford is steeped in history dating back to the Stone age, over 6,000 years ago. Our Heritage Trail leads you to castles, churches and abbeys, battlefields, historic towns and villages, great houses and gardens, windmills, wild bird reserves and forts.

Click here For More Information


Our Guide To

The Most Popular Activities

Follow a trail through Wexford's history, culture and natural beauty to discover oustanding attractions and hidden gems.

Dunbrody Ship New Ross

Heritage

Dunbrody Famine Ship
New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 051 425239.
www.dunbrody.com

The Dunbrody is a full-scale reproduction of a 19th Century famine ship (three masted Barque built in Quebec in 1845) which brought many emigrants from Ireland to America during and after the Great Famine.  Board the Dunbrody and walk in the footsteps of famine emigrants on their journey of hope across the Atlantic Ocean.   There is also a popular cafe and tourist office here.

Ros Tapestry
The Quay, New Ross, County Wexford.
Tel: 051-445396
www.rostapestry.com

The Ros Tapestry features 15 large panels which depict the events around the Anglo-Norman arrival in the South East of Ireland, specifically the founding of the town of New Ross and the combined effects on the shaping of Leinster and Ireland by William Marshal and his wife, Isabel de Clare, daughter of Strongbow.

John F Kennedy Arboretum
New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 051 388171
www.heritageireland.ie

The arboretum is dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world. There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent.   It covers 252 hectares with panoramic views, picnic areas, maze, play area, lake, tearoom/shop (seasonal), miniature railway (seasonal) and visitor centre with audio-visual.  There is a separate entrance and roadway to the viewing point at the top of Sliabh Coillte with rough pathways giving visitors panoramic views of the area and the surrounding five counties.

Kennedy Homestead
Dunganstown, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 051 388264
www.kennedyhomestead.com

Visit the birthplace of the late President John F Kennedy’s great grandfather where you can enjoy an audio-visual presentation and guided tour, which takes visitors through the family history and historical setting of the Kennedy legacy.

Dunbrody Abbey & Visitor Centre
Campile, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 051 388933

Dunbrody Abbey is a 12th Century Cistercian Monastery and a visit is a must.  It includes a full-sized hedge maze, pitch and putt course, craft shop and tea rooms.

Tintern Abbey
Tintern, Saltmills, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 051 562650

Cistercian Abbey founded c1200 by William, Earl of Marshall and later became the home of the Colclough Family.  Tours of the Abbey are available. The Abbey’s walled gardens have recently been restored to their former glory and Colclough Walled Gardens are open to the public to enjoy.  There are lovely signed walks through the woodlands and along the river to nearby Saltmills village.

Hook Light House and Heritage Centre
Hook Head, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 051 397055
www.hookheritage.ie

The Hook Light House is about 800 years old and is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world.  Guided tours of the lighthouse tower are available all year round and are one of the top things to do in Wexford and Waterford.  Visitors can climb the 115 steps to the spectacular view from the balcony.   The Hook Light House is listed as the no. 1 flashiest lighthouse in the world by the Lonely Planet Guide.

Duncannon Fort
Duncannon Fort is a star-shaped fortress built to repel the Spanish Armada and to stop the pirates plundering the merchant ships on their way up to Waterford Harbour. Built in 1588, the Fort boasts many attractions including a Military and Maritime Museum.  However the Fort and surrounding buildings are currently closed for renovations.

Irish National Heritage Park
Ferrycarrig, Wexford.
Tel: 053 9120733.
www.inhp.com

In just one visit, you can experience 9,000 years of Irish history in a fascinating setting of woodland, riverbank and native Irish dwellings.  Discover how the Celtic, Norman and Viking settlers left their mark on the countryside.

Johnstown Castle and Irish Agricultural Museum
Murntown, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 053 9171247
www.irishagrimuseum.ie

Johnstown Castle is a 19th Century turreted castle whose gardens contain a wide variety of trees and shrubs, exotic examples blend with native species in a stunning setting that represents the best aspects of both a formal and a wild garden.  A man-made lake with its own particular flora and fauna adds to the appeal of this wonderful Wexford landmark. The Country Life/Agricultural Museum makes a worthwhile visit, and the interior of the castle has recently been beautifully restored to its former glory and is well worth a visit too.  There is a good shop and cafe for lunch and refreshments.

Kilmore Quay and the Saltee Islands
Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford
www.kilmorequayweb.com

Kilmore Quay is a scenic fishing village renowned for its thatched cottages and for producing some of the best seafood in Ireland.  Boat trips to the nearby Saltee Islands are highly recommended to see the gannets, puffins and seals.

Wexford Walking Tours
Wexford.
Tel:  087 9175171
www.wexfordwalkingtours.net

This 90 minute walking tour of Wexford’s historical sights departs from Wexford Tourism Office on Crescent Quay at 11 am every day (except Sunday) from 1 March to 31 October.



Outdoor Activities

Oaklands Lake
Marshmeadows, New Ross, Co. Wexford
Tel: 051 445348
www.oaklandslake.com

Oaklands Lake is a 4.5 acre man-made lake stocked with carp, 14lb plus, tench, rudd and bream.  It has 60 stands, all wheelchair friendly, toilets, tea/coffee and cold drinks.  There is also a fully stocked tackle shop on site.

Abbey Par 3 and Crazy Golf
Winningtown, Fethard-On-Sea, New Ross, County Wexford.
Tel: +353 (0)86 6084257
e: frankcbrowne@msn.com;

Abbey Par 3 Golf near Fethard-on-Sea in County Wexford is 40 acres of parkland. 18 holes with sand bunkers, water hazzards and challenging greens maintained to the highest standard will test your skills. The course is open from dawn to dusk all year.

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
North Slob, Ardcavan Lane, Wexford.
Tel: 053 9123406
www.wexfordwildfowlreserve.ie

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is a site of international importance as it is the nearest point for birds migrating in or out of Ireland.  The North and South Slobs and Wexford Harbour are home to thousands of ducks, geese, swans and waders from October to April.  Large numbers of migratory birds are to be observed stopping to feed during spring and autumn.

Watersports

Freedom Surf School & Adventure
Carnivan Beach, Fethard-On-Sea, County Wexford.
Tel: 051 386773 / Billy Butler 086 3914908
www.freedomsurfschool.com

Freedom Surf School & Adventure Activities include surfing, land yachting / blokarting, team building / beach challenges, Nordic walking, body boarding, ecology walks and hikes. Their Irish language programme provides all their activities through the Irish language and is supported by Foras na Gaeilge.

Shielbagan Outdoor Education Centre
Shielbaggan OEC, Ramsgrange, New Ross, County Wexford.
Tel: 051 389550
www.shielbagganoec.com

Shielbaggan Outdoor Education Centre is located at the top of the Hook Peninsula in the South West Wexford village of Ramsgrange.  The Centre offers dingy and board sailing, sea and river kayaking, surfing, snorkelling, sand yachting, rock climbing, hill walking, orienteering and archery.

Saltee Cruises
Kilmore Quay Marina, Kilmore, Co. Wexford.
Tel: 053 9129684/087 2529736

Daily cruises around the Saltee Islands offering spectacular views of the cliffs and marina wildlife. Puffins, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shearwaters and Seals are all to be observed.

 

Family Activities

Leisuremax
Sinnotstown Lane, Wexford.
Tel: 053 9122900
www.leisuremax.ie

Leisure Max offers bowling with a play centre and lots of other activities such as sumo wrestling, Gladiator, Zorbs, Climbing wall and Pillow Basher.

Play Barn
The Bosheen, Ring Road, Irishtown, New Ross, County Wexford.
Tel: 051 426647
www.rossadventureplaybarn.ie

Catering for under three year olds to up to ten year olds, it also features facilities for parents and minders such as a coffee shop, ample seating, baby changing area and wheelchair accessible toilets.

Quad Attack Adventure Centre
Clonroche, Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
Tel: 053 9244660
www.quadattack.ie

Quad Attack Adventure Centre offers an all-weather cross-country driving thrill for all ages from 6 years upwards.  An all indoor Crazy Corral includes sumo wrestling, bungee burst and rodeo bull with a bouncy castle for smaller children.

R-One Karting
Unit 7, Strandfield Business Park, Kerlogue, County Wexford.
Tel: 087 166705
ronekarting.ie

23000sq ft of go-karting fun, adrenaline, excitiment and most of all relaxation.

Shelmalier Riding Stables
Trinity, Taghmon, County Wexford.
Tel: 053 9139251

Horse and pony riding at Shelmalier Stables, Wexford. Friendly, qualified staff and well-trained horses and ponies welcome riders of all levels including beginners to Wexford’s longest established riding centre.

Wexford Swimming Pool & Gym
Ferrybank, Wexford, County Wexford.
Tel: 053 9185256
wexfordswimmingpool.ie

Located on the idylic banks of Wexford harbour and coastline Wexford Swimming Pool & Gym boasts a 25m swimming pool- 1.8m deep, a learner pool, sauna & steam room and family changing village.

Wexford Kayak Safari
Wexford Town, Wexford, County Wexford.
Tel: 087 6739357
wexfordkayaksafari.com

Wexford Kayaking Safari is a company based just outside Wexford Town Ireland. They do safari trips up the River Slaney and other rivers on request. All their Kayaks are “SIT ON”, which makes them very easy to paddle and very stable and safe in the water even for beginners.