Nestled in Ireland’s sunny south-east corner, County Wexford is a captivating blend of golden coastlines, fertile plains, and a history that stretches from the dawn of the Viking age to the birth of modern Ireland. Known for enjoying more sunshine than almost anywhere else on the island, Wexford offers a bright and welcoming landscape where the echoes of ancient rebellions meet the peaceful rhythm of a thriving maritime culture.
Wexford’s story is told through its extraordinary monuments and historic strongholds. At the tip of the Hook Peninsula, the black-and-white stripes of Hook Lighthouse—the world’s oldest operational lighthouse—have guided mariners since the 5th century. This sense of enduring history continues in the medieval streets of Wexford town, founded by Norse raiders over a millennium ago, and at Enniscorthy Castle, a formidable fortress that stands near the site of the pivotal Battle of Vinegar Hill. Whether you are walking through 9,000 years of Irish history at the Irish National Heritage Park or stepping aboard the poignant Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross, the county’s resilient and rebellious spirit is felt in every stone and timber.
Beyond its ancient walls, Wexford reveals a world of natural beauty and international renown. Its long, sandy beaches, such as the spectacular Curracloe and Morriscastle, are perfect for sun-drenched afternoons and tranquil coastal walks, while the elegant Johnstown Castle Estate offers a more refined landscape of formal gardens and peacock-dotted lakes. The county is also a world-class cultural hub, famous for the Wexford Festival Opera, which draws audiences to its historic opera house from across the globe. From sampling the legendary local strawberries to exploring the scenic tracks of the Norman Way, County Wexford provides a diverse and deeply rewarding escape in the “Sunny South East.”
Ardamine, wexford
Tucked between Riverchapel and Ballygarrett on Wexford’s south-east coast, Ardamine offers a peaceful escape with a long sandy beach and a natural sandbank that creates calm, shallow waters. The village is steeped in history, from an early Christian cross marking St Aidan’s original church to the striking 19th-century ruins of St John’s Church, commissioned by a lottery-winning surgeon.
Hook Peninsula, wexford
Baginbun Beach and Head offer a tranquil crescent of golden sand backed by low cliffs, sweeping views of Bannow Bay and the Keeragh Islands, and a slice of medieval and Napoleonic history. From gentle swims to guided kayak trips and a walk up to a 19th-century Martello tower, the spot is perfect for families, history buffs and outdoor lovers alike.
Ballinruan, wexford
Ballinesker is the Wexford strand where Steven Spielberg filmed the D-Day opening of Saving Private Ryan, standing in for Omaha Beach. It is a Blue Flag beach of soft, wind-blown sand backed by a protected dune system, good for a long walk, a swim with summer lifeguard cover, and birdwatching beside the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve.
Ballyedmond, wexford
Ballyedmond is a quiet village overshadowed by the grandeur of Wells House & Gardens. Spanning 480 acres, the estate features formal terraces, an arboretum, interactive woodland walks and a guided tour of a 17th-century manor redesigned by architect Daniel Robertson.
Ballygarrett, wexford
Step inside St Mary’s Star of the Sea to sit on pews carved from the wrecked sailing ship Pomona. Nearby monuments trace a surprising link to Refugio, Texas, while the village’s central location on the R742 makes it a convenient base for exploring Cahore, Donaghmore and Morriscastle beaches.
Ballyhack, wexford
Perched above the mouth of Waterford Harbour, Ballyhack blends a quiet fishing village with the dramatic five-storey Ballyhack Castle. Explore medieval chambers, walk the original battlements and enjoy panoramic sea views, then set off on coastal paths or a scenic ferry crossing to the Hook Peninsula.
Ballyteige Bay, wexford
Ballyteige Burrow is a protected five-kilometre dune system on the south Wexford coast, west of Kilmore Quay. It draws walkers and anglers rather than swimmers, with strong currents along the strand, an internationally important habitat, and an estuary that holds the Irish flounder record.
Kilmore Quay, wexford
Ballyteige Burrow stretches over five kilometres of sand and shingle north-west of Kilmore Quay, offering a mosaic of dunes, salt-marshes and a sheltered lagoon. Designated a national nature reserve in 1987, it teems with rare plants, thriving rabbit warrens and a chorus of seabirds, making it a photographer’s and birdwatcher’s paradise.
Bannow, wexford
Bannow is where Norman Ireland began, blending 12th-century history with rugged coastal beauty. Visit the solitary ruins of St Mary’s Church, explore expansive sandy bays and rock pools at low tide, and unwind in the quiet village of Carrig-on-Bannow.
Laois, laois
The River Barrow winds 192 km from the Slieve Bloom Mountains to Waterford Harbour, threading historic towns and a 111 km engineered navigation. Its towpath is the Barrow Way, a gentle 117 km trail that lets walkers and cyclists soak up castles, monastic ruins and vibrant riverside life.
Bannow, wexford
Tucked away near Bannow, Blackhall Strand offers a quiet escape with gentle sands, dramatic cliff scenery, and fascinating tide pools. The offshore Keeragh Islands add a layer of maritime history.
Bunclody, wexford
Bunclody's main street is unusually wide because a drinking-water canal runs down the middle of it, under a mall of lime trees. The River Slaney brings salmon anglers and kayakers; Mount Leinster, 11 km off, brings walkers and hang-gliders.
Cahore, wexford
A flat 4.8 km loop from Cahore pier follows a low clifftop past stone lookout towers, a wartime ÉIRE sign and the Tudor-Gothic outline of Cahore Castle before dropping onto golden sand. With only 10 metres of ascent it is an easy, family-friendly walk, and behind the castle hides Gilligan's Cave, a 17th-century smuggler's bolt-hole.
Carne, wexford
Carne Beach is a 1.5km curve of firm golden sand on Wexford's southeast corner, facing the Irish Sea rather than the open Atlantic. The shallow, sheltered water and Blue Flag make it a dependable family swim, with free parking, a working fishing pier and waymarked walks along the coast.
Carnsore Point, wexford
Carnsore Point is the southeastern corner of Ireland and the bottom of the Irish Sea. An easy 8km waymarked loop from Carne Pier rounds the headland past a wind farm and pink-granite reefs, on the ground where 1970s rallies stopped a nuclear power station and where Ptolemy once mapped a 'sacred promontory'.
Castlebridge, wexford
Castlebridge is a rapidly expanding village 5 km north of Wexford town, built around a canal Nicholas Dixon hand-dug in 1810 to dodge his own toll bridge. Treasure Trove fills an old maltings with three floors of antiques, the Slobs nearby draw thousands of wintering geese, and the village trades on its link to the birth of the Guinness Book of Records.
Coolhull, wexford
Rising from the farming fields near Wellingtonbridge, this 16th-century granite tower house blends medieval defences with late-Elizabethan domestic architecture. Free to visit from the outside and easily reached by bike or foot, it offers a quiet stop on the South East Greenway with tales of buried treasure and ghostly coaches.
wexford
Courtown is a north Wexford seaside village that grew up around a harbour Lord Courtown built as Famine relief in the 1840s. It's best known now for Seal Rescue Ireland – the only seal rescue centre in the country – and for the free, way-marked trails of Courtown Woods. The beach has lost ground to erosion in recent years, so come for the village, the woods and the seals as much as the sand.
Courtown, wexford
Courtown's RNLI station has guarded this stretch of the Wexford coast since 1865, and the volunteer crew still launches a D-class inshore lifeboat from the pier. It is a working emergency base rather than a museum, open to visitors by appointment, with a volunteer-run gift shop whose profits go to the service.
Craanford, wexford
Craanford is a small village on the River Lask in north County Wexford, and its reason to stop is Craanford Mills, a watermill dating to 1610 that still works. The Lyons family, who have held it for 200 years, run guided tours past the turning wheel and grinding stones, with tea and homemade apple tart in the Kiln Loft. It opens to walk-ins only on summer weekends.
Cullenstown, wexford
A long stretch of golden sand and clear waters, Cullenstown Strand holds a Green Coast Award for its excellent quality and unspoiled setting. Just inland stands the Shell Cottage, a thatched farmhouse transformed over three decades into a mosaic of scallops and razorfish shells.
Curracloe, wexford
Curracloe is a long Blue Flag strand backed by the pine forest of the Raven reserve, an easy 15-minute drive from Wexford town. It's a fine spot for swimming, beginner surf lessons and forest-and-dune walks, with red squirrels and grey seals about – and it's where Spielberg shot the D-Day landing in Saving Private Ryan.
Dublin Connolly (County Dublin) – Rosslare Europort (County Wexford), dublin
Dating back to 1834, the Dublin-Rosslare line is Ireland’s oldest railway and the world’s first commuter service. Today it carries daily DART and intercity trains past dramatic cliffs, historic market towns, and sunny beaches, while summer heritage steam trips keep its Victorian spirit alive.
New Ross, wexford
Anchored on the River Barrow in New Ross, the Dunbrody Famine Ship offers a moving, full-scale journey through Ireland’s Great Hunger. Guided tours, costumed interpreters, and the permanent Emigrant Flame bring the story of Irish emigration to life, while the Irish America Hall of Fame celebrates the global impact of those who sailed for a new life.
Duncannon, wexford
Duncannon pairs a mile of beach with a star-shaped artillery fort built for Elizabeth I in 1587. The fort reopened in 2026 after a major restoration; the strand below is firm enough to drive onto at low tide and has a beach wheelchair for loan.
New Ross, wexford
Dunganstown is a quiet County Wexford townland best known as the birthplace of Patrick Kennedy, the great-grandfather of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Visitors can tour the Kennedy Homestead, explore exhibitions detailing the family's history, and connect with their Irish-American heritage.
Enniscorthy, wexford
Enniscorthy holds two of Wexford's best history stops a ten-minute walk apart - a four-towered Norman castle with a rooftop tour, and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre. Above the town is Vinegar Hill, where the United Irishmen made their final stand on 21 June 1798.
Ferns, wexford
Ferns blends a millennium of monastic, Norman and Anglican history into a compact, welcoming town on the River Bann. Wander the surviving tower of Ferns Castle, admire the Gothic Revival interior of St Edan Cathedral, and enjoy the lively community spirit beside ancient stone walls.
Fethard-on-Sea, wexford
Fethard-on-Sea is a small fishing and holiday village on the eastern Hook Peninsula, with a ruined castle begun by the Normans, the sheltered Grange Beach, and a harbour remembered for the 1914 Helen Blake lifeboat disaster. It makes a handy base for the Ring of Hook, with Hook Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey and Loftus Hall all a short drive away.
Kilmore Quay, wexford
Forlorn Point anchors the fishing village of Kilmore Quay with its dramatic coastline, historic lifeboat station, and some of Ireland’s oldest exposed rock. It’s the launch point for Saltee Islands boat trips and a rewarding spot for coastal walks.
Gorey, wexford
Historic market-town charm meets modern commuter convenience in Gorey, where the 1709 Market House anchors a bustling main street beside contemporary cafés and a seven-screen cinema. The town’s Norman roots and 1798 rebellion legacy blend with easy rail links to Dublin and quick access to Blue-Flag beaches, lavender farms and restored watermills across the Ancient East.
Hook Peninsula, wexford
At the south-western tip of County Wexford, Hook Lighthouse stands as the world’s oldest intact operational tower. The surrounding peninsula offers dramatic cliffs, medieval heritage sites and sheltered beaches for walkers, cyclists and coastal explorers.
Ferrycarrig, wexford
Set on the banks of the River Slaney, this open-air museum brings Ireland’s past to life through sixteen life-size reconstructions spanning the Mesolithic era to the Norman invasion. Costumed interpreters lead themed tours through thatched huts, a Viking harbour, and an early Christian monastery, while a dedicated falconry centre offers hands-on encounters with birds of prey.
Wexford, wexford
Set on a 120-acre estate near Wexford, Johnstown Castle combines a striking Gothic-revival mansion, restored lakes and walled gardens with the Irish Agricultural Museum. Step inside to trace rural life through historic machinery, craft workshops, and a moving Great Famine gallery.
Fethard-on-Sea, wexford
Rising like up-turned shells from the sea, the Keeragh Islands guard a boulder-strewn reef that has claimed ships for centuries. Today they host a bustling great cormorant colony and bear a solemn memorial to the 1914 Helen Blake lifeboat tragedy, making them a magnet for birdwatchers, photographers and history enthusiasts.
New Ross, wexford
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge runs 887 metres over the River Barrow at New Ross, the longest bridge in Ireland and home to the two longest post-tensioned all-concrete extradosed spans in the world, at 230 metres each. A free path for walkers and cyclists crosses the full deck, 36 metres above the tidal water, as part of the South East Greenway. It is named for the mother of John F. Kennedy, whose family left nearby Dunganstown.
Kilmore Quay, wexford
Perched on the edge of Ballyteige Bay, Kilmore Quay is a vibrant fishing village where white-washed thatched cottages overlook a bustling harbour. From the dramatic cliffs of Forlorn Point to the puffin colonies of the Saltee Islands, the area packs wildlife, maritime history, and coastal charm into a compact, easily explored destination.
Kilmore Quay, wexford
Kilmore Quay is a working fishing village where colourful boats bob in the harbour and early-19th-century thatched cottages line the main street. Step outside the village and you’ll find dramatic dunes, ancient rock pools and a short ferry ride to Ireland’s largest bird sanctuary.
Ballyedmond, wexford
Step beneath a canopy of mature oaks and conifers on this tranquil woodland loop at Wells House & Gardens. Named for a former resident of the estate, the trail winds past a stone wishing well, seasonal fairy displays, and rich native flora, offering a peaceful escape just outside Gorey.
Lady's Island, wexford
Lady’s Island combines a remarkably intact 12th-century tower house with the ruins of a 6th-century monastery founded by St Abban. The site centres on a brackish lagoon that hosts Ireland’s largest mixed tern colony, offering flat, accessible trails for walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers.
Hook Peninsula, wexford
Perched above the Irish Sea, Loftus Hall blends centuries of turbulent history with a chilling supernatural reputation. While the interior remains closed for redevelopment, visitors can still admire its striking façade, explore the restored walled gardens, and trace the footsteps of the Redmonds, Loftuses, and the legendary Anne Tottenham.
Morriscastle, wexford
Stretching along the eastern edge of County Wexford, Morriscastle Beach delivers two kilometres of soft golden sand backed by protected dunes. Lifeguarded waters keep families safe during the summer months, while shore anglers and kite-surfers take advantage of the steady Atlantic breezes. A short walk through the dunes reveals the quiet remnants of a medieval Norman castle and the wide, open skies of Ireland’s Ancient East.
Enniscorthy, wexford
Cross the Bridge of Democracy into a vivid reconstruction of the United Irishmen’s campaign, where life-size models and immersive storytelling bring Wexford’s pivotal role to life. Set on the banks of the River Slaney in Enniscorthy, the centre blends local history with practical visitor facilities, making it a straightforward and compelling stop on any county itinerary.
High Street, wexford
Opened in 2008, the National Opera House transforms Wexford's waterfront with its bold glass and timber design. The 771-seat O’Reilly Theatre hosts the internationally acclaimed Wexford Festival Opera, while the intimate Jerome Hynes stage champions new Irish talent.
New Ross, wexford
Perched on the River Barrow, New Ross blends medieval heritage with vibrant riverside life. Explore the full-scale Dunbrody famine ship replica, wander through the expansive Kennedy Arboretum, and trace centuries of history along the Norman Way.
wexford
The Norman Way winds 65 km along County Wexford’s south coast, connecting medieval castles, church ruins and a historic windmill. Follow the EuroVelo 1 route by bike or on foot through quiet lanes, dramatic sea cliffs and the very landscape where the Normans first landed in 1169.
Wexford Harbour, wexford
North Slob is a reclaimed tidal plain turned world-class bird sanctuary, where wintering geese fill the mud-flats and observation hides reveal rare waders. Walk the boardwalks, track seasonal migrants and discover the quirky origins of the Guinness World Records.
Curracloe, wexford
A tranquil escape where pine-wooded dunes meet the Irish Sea, Raven Nature Reserve offers a gentle, well-marked loop walk through a protected habitat. Spot red squirrels, rare wintergreen, and thousands of migrating geese roosting on the sand bars at the edge of Curracloe Beach.
Southeast Ireland, wicklow
Rising on the slopes of Lugnaquilla, the River Slaney carves a 117-kilometre path through Wicklow, Carlow and Wexford before meeting the Irish Sea. Follow its banks for spring salmon fishing, guided kayak tours, and a trail of Norman castles, Cistercian ruins and 1798 rebellion landmarks.
New Ross, wexford
Salt-sprayed breezes drift over New Ross’s historic waterfront as towering embroidered panels loom like colourful tapestries against the walls. The fifteen 2 m × 1.4 m panels stitch together Celtic law, Norman landings and the rise of Hook Lighthouse, offering a tactile chronicle of the town’s medieval roots.
Rosslare, wexford
Where holiday ease meets international travel, Rosslare splits its time between a peaceful Blue-Flag strand and a bustling Europort. Visitors enjoy sun-kissed sands, coastal boardwalks, championship golf and a lively harbour atmosphere.
Enniscorthy, wexford
Augustus Pugin’s soaring Gothic design dominates the Enniscorthy skyline, while inside, intricate Caen-stone carving and restored stencilled walls reflect 19th-century Catholic revival. Visitors can explore the architecture, hear the historic pipe organ, and trace the origins of Ireland’s most famous Christmas carol.
5 km off the coast of Kilmore Quay, wexford
Norse sailors named these 'salt islands' centuries ago, and they remain a vital seabird breeding ground today. Great Saltee welcomes visitors for guided cliff walks, puffin spotting, and seal watching, all within a protected Atlantic sanctuary.
Wexford Town, wexford
Selskar Abbey sits beside the Westgate Tower in Wexford Town, on a site that has held a Viking settlement, an Augustinian priory founded around 1190 and a Victorian church. Ireland's first Anglo-Norman peace treaty was signed here in 1169, and Norman commander Raymond FitzGerald married within the walls. You can only get inside on a volunteer-led tour in July and August.
New Ross, wexford
A striking blend of roofless medieval ruins and a 19th-century nave, St Mary's Church houses remarkable funerary art, Templar-linked carvings and local legends. Visitors can explore the historic crypt and chancel for free, with keys available from town hall.
Saltmills, wexford
Founded on a storm-born vow by the legendary Earl of Pembroke, Tintern Abbey stands as a striking Cistercian ruin on the Hook Peninsula. Wander through the medieval cloisters, stroll the restored Colclough Walled Garden, and follow free trails along the River Bannow to the coast.
Enniscorthy, wexford
Step back in time at Vinegar Hill, where the thunder of artillery echoed across the slopes on 21 June 1798. Today, the summit offers free, year-round access to the ruins of a 19th-century windmill and sweeping vistas over the River Slaney and Enniscorthy below.
Ballyedmond, wexford
Wander through symmetrical parterres and mature arboretums before following the fairy-filled trails of the Lady Frances Woodland Walk. A guided house tour reveals opulent Victorian interiors, while the on-site animal farm and Mogue’s Enchanted Walk keep younger visitors engaged throughout the day.
Wexford, wexford
Westgate Tower is the last of Wexford's medieval town gates, and its real name is Selskar Gate. It survived because it was the abbey's private, toll-free entrance, with no public road to clear when the other gates were demolished in the 1700s. Today it's a heritage centre, with reconstructed Norman rooms and a battlements walk through to the ruins of Selskar Abbey.
wexford
The Wexford Heritage Trail winds through sun-drenched countryside and rugged coastline, linking castles, lighthouses, and 1798 Rebellion sites. This self-guided driving route offers a structured way to explore the county's layered history and scenic landscapes at your own pace.
Wexford town, wexford
Norse settlers founded Veisafjǫrðr – ‘inlet of the mudflats’ – around 800 AD, and those mudflats now winter up to 12,000 Greenland white-fronted geese, about half the world’s population. In town, climb the c. 1300 Westgate Tower for the view over the quays, and book early for October’s Wexford Festival Opera in the 771-seat National Opera House. Curracloe’s film-famous strand is 10 km up the coast.
North Slob, wexford
Beneath a flat, brackish expanse that lies two metres below sea level, a world-class Ramsar wetland thrives with over 260 bird species. State-of-the-art hides and an 8-metre observation tower make birdwatching comfortably accessible for families and researchers alike.
