Overview
Kilmore Quay (Irish: Cé na Cille Móire, meaning ‘Quay of the big church’) sits on the eastern edge of Ballyteige Bay in County Wexford. With a permanent population of just over 370, the village expands significantly during the summer months as visitors arrive for its working harbour, sandy beaches and distinctive thatched architecture. Located roughly 25 minutes by car from both Wexford Town and the Rosslare Europort ferry terminal, it functions as a practical base for exploring the south-east coastline while retaining a quiet, maritime rhythm.
History & Village Character
The natural shelter of the harbour has sustained deep-sea and lobster fishing since the early 1800s. Maritime safety has been equally central to local life: the RNLI placed its first lifeboat here in 1847, followed by a permanent station in 1884. Today, a modern Tamar-class lifeboat operates from the marina, continuing nearly two centuries of rescue work on these waters.
The village centre is defined by a row of early-19th-century thatched cottages. Built from mud walls, whitewashed with lime and roofed with wheaten or oaten straw, many remain in private residential use. Just inland stands St Peter’s Church (1875), designed by architect George Ashlin to save parishioners a three-mile walk to the old church in Kilmore. Nearby, the crumbling walls of Ballyteige Castle mark the site of a 15th-century tower house once occupied by the Whitty family. For deeper context on local farming, fishing and community history, the Stella Maris Heritage Centre offers interactive displays and a small café.
Walking, Beaches & Nature Reserves
The area’s coastline is best explored on foot. The Kilmore Quay Walking Trail begins at the harbour car park and loops 4.5 km (roughly one hour) past the Memorial Garden and along the edge of Ballyteigue Burrow. Walkers can extend the route into a full 16 km circuit by following the dune tracks westward.
Key natural features include:
- Ballyteigue Strand – a broad, golden-sand beach popular for long walks and shore angling. Look for nesting little terns and stonechats during spring and summer.
- Ballyteigue Burrow – a 9 km shingle and sand spit that stretches northwest along the bay. Originally an island, it was permanently joined to the mainland during mid-19th-century famine relief works, which reclaimed 660 hectares of farmland behind the dunes. The reserve now hosts mudflats, saltmarshes and wading birds including Brent Geese, shelduck and black-tailed godwits. See the dedicated Ballyteige Burrow nature reserve page for seasonal bird counts and access notes.
- Forlorn Point – an exposed outcrop of Precambrian gneiss dating back over 620 million years. At low tide, the surrounding rock pools reveal anemones, crabs, winkles and limpets.
- Memorial Garden – shaped like a mooring bollard, this sea-facing garden commemorates vessels lost off the coast. A stone ship features a compass fountain built around a propeller blade from the SS Lennox (lost near the Saltee Islands in 1916). A trail leads down to the “Vigil” sculpture, and an annual remembrance service is held each June.
The Saltee Islands Ferry
A daily ferry operates from the harbour to Great Saltee Island between April and September. The crossing takes 20 minutes and costs €40 for adults and €20 for children under 12. Bookings should be made in advance, especially in July and August when the schedule runs three sailings per day.
The islands form Ireland’s largest bird sanctuary, with more than 220 recorded species. Puffins return to breed from April to July, while gannets, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes nest on the sea cliffs. A small grey-seal colony gathers annually, producing around 20 pups. The terrain is uneven and often wet; bring waterproof footwear, a spare pair of shoes and weather-proof layers. There are no shops, toilets or shelters on the islands.
Visitors often look for the ceremonial throne, flag-staff and obelisk on Great Saltee. These were installed by Michael Neale, who purchased the islands in 1943, declared himself Prince of the Saltees and planted over 34,000 trees between 1945 and 1950. The throne bears an inscription honouring his mother, and the Neale family remains the private owners today.
Food, Drink & Local Hospitality
Despite its size, Kilmore Quay offers a range of dining options:
- Cocoa’s Coffee Shop – a harbour-side café with a terrace, serving coffee, breakfast and light lunches. Open daily from 8:00 am (closing at 4:00 pm weekdays, 5:00 pm weekends).
- The Saltee Chipper – located opposite the quay, this award-winning takeaway and casual restaurant is known for beer-battered haddock, alongside pizzas, burgers and vegetarian sides.
- Kehoe’s Pub & Parlour – a central pub offering live music, traditional and contemporary dishes, and a relaxed evening atmosphere.
- Mary Barry’s Bar – combines a seaside pub setting with a dining room and beer garden, specialising in fresh local seafood and classic pub fare.
- Coast Kilmore Quay Boutique Hotel – houses a bistro and bar focusing on regional produce and freshly caught fish, suitable for more formal meals.
Events & Festivals
The village hosts an annual Seafood Festival during the second week of July. The event features daily seafood tastings, live music, family activities and harbour-side races, drawing visitors from across the south-east. For other seasonal gatherings, check the What’s On in Wexford calendar or local community noticeboards.
Practical Information
- Getting there: From Wexford Town, follow the N25 toward Rosslare. Approximately two miles past the Drinagh roundabout, turn right onto the R739 signposted for Kilmore Quay. The drive takes about 25 minutes. From Rosslare, take the N25 toward Wexford, pass Kilrane, Tagoat and Killinick, then turn left onto the R739.
- Public transport: Wexford Bus route 390 runs daily between Wexford and Kilmore Quay via Johnstown Castle and Bridgetown. Services are limited on Sundays; verify current timetables at wexfordbus.ie.
- Parking: Free roadside parking is available near the harbour, with a dedicated free car park behind the pier beside the playground. A separate free lot accommodates boat trailers.
- Tides & safety: Beach access and rock-pool exploration at Forlorn Point are tide-dependent. Check published tide times before heading out. The RNLI lifeboat station is active year-round; swimmers should observe harbour warnings and avoid areas where commercial fishing boats are operating.
- Connectivity: 4G and 5G mobile coverage is available in the village, but signal drops on approach roads and is absent on the Saltee Islands.
Plan your visit around the ferry schedule and low-tide windows to make the most of the coastal walks and island excursion.