Destinations > Ireland > Leinster > County Wexford

County Wexford

This county at the southeastern corner of Ireland is the gateway for many travellers arriving at Rosslare Harbour by ferry from Great Britain and France.

Enniscorthy (Inis Coirthaidth)

This appealing town north of Wexford played an important role in Irish history when it was the scene of fierce resistance during the Rebellion of 1798. It is dominated by a Norman castle that dates from 1205.

Practical Information

Enniscorthy Tourist Information Centre

Castle Hill, Enniscorthy

Tel (054) 34699

Website www.southeastireland.com

Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 2pm-5.30pm

Coming & Going

Enniscorthy lies on the train line between Dublin and Rosslare. Buses to Dublin, Waterford and Wexford stop on Templeshannon Quay.

Accommodation

Enniscorthy Holiday Hostel

Platform 1, Railway Square, Enniscorthy

Tel (054) 37766

Sights

National 1798 Visitor Centre

This centre portrays the events of the 1798 Rebellion using interactive displays and audio-visual presentations.

Millpark Road, Enniscorthy

Tel (054) 37596

Website www.1798centre.com

Admission €6 (€4 students)

Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-6.30pm

Wexford (Lough Garman)

This historic town has a fascinating history dating to the 2nd century. It was settled by the Vikings in the 9th century and conquered by the Normans in 1169. Its growth depended on its role as a port and it still has a maritime feel to it even though its shipping business has been lost to nearby Waterford and Rosslare.

Practical Information

Wexford Tourist Information Centre

Crescent Quay, Wexford

Tel (053) 23111

Website www.southeastireland.com

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm; Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm

Coming & Going

Both buses and trains stop here en route between Dublin and Rosslare and buses also go to Limerick.

Trains and buses stop at the station on Redmond Square.

Accommodation

Kirwan House Tourist Hostel

Friary Church View, 3 Mary Street, Wexford

Tel (053) 21208

Sights

Irish National Heritage Park

This 35-acre open-air museum tries to cover 9000 years of history with displays on the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Celtic and early Christian times and the times of Viking and early Norman settlement. It is 5km north west of the town centre.

N11, Ferrycarrig, Co Wexford

Tel (053) 20733

Website www.inhp.com

Admission €7 (€5.50 students)

Open 9.30am-5pm daily

Selskar Abbey

Selskare Abbey dates to the 13th century, although it replaces an earlier temple dedicated to the Norse god Odin.

West Gate Tower

This 13th century tower comprises part of Wexford's town walls. It is now home to a craft gallery and there is also an audio-visual presentation here about the development of Wexford.

West Gate, Wexford

Tel (053) 46506

Open summer Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm; winter Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-6pm

Rosslare Harbour (Ros Láir)

Rosslare is Ireland's second-largest ferry port with ferries to France and Wales. However there is not much to do in town and travellers only come here to make transport connections.

Coming & Going

Rosslare is an important transport hub with buses and trains meeting ferries from France and Wales.

BUS

Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) has buses to Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford. Buses terminate at the ferry terminal.

TRAIN

There are trains from Rosslare to Dublin and Limerick via Waterford and Wexford. Trains depart from the station at the ferry terminal.

FERRY

Irish Ferries (website www.irishferries.com) sail from Rosslare Harbour to Cherbourg and Roscoff in France and Pembroke in Wales. Stena ferries (website www.stenaline.co.uk) sail between Rosslare and Fishguard in Wales.