Wexford Hotels & Information

County Wexford is situated in the South-Eastern corner of Ireland, often called the 'secret island', an unspoilt oasis in the sunniest part of the country. Over the years, Celts, Vikings and Normans came and settled here. Wexford was the first place the Normans landed when they invaded Ireland in 1169. The county has a combination of mountains, valleys, flora, fauna and breathtaking beaches spanning 200 km of coastline, dotted by resorts, scenic villages and pretty harbours.

Some of the best pubs, restaurants and hotels, as well as festivals and outdoor activities of all kinds are to be found here. Along with a rich cultural and archaeological heritage, this makes Wexford a very popular tourist destination.

For those interested in watersports, Wexford is a haven. Swimming is a pleasure off the many beautiful sandy beaches throughout the county. The River Barrow is popular for canoeing, while diving centres are located in Hook, Kilmore Quay and Wexford Town. Diving off Wexford is perhaps most noted for its variety of wrecks from 6 to 60 meters. Snorkelling can be enjoyed off most shores, instruction is available from Shielbaggan Outdoor Centre.

Sailing instruction is available at the Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club. Piers at Rosslare, Kilmore Quay, Courtown, Duncannon are also popular. Surfing in Wexford is good for both the experienced and beginner. Courtown and Rosslare are the main centres for water-skiing, but it is possible along much of the coastline. Windsurfing is popular in Rosslare, Courtown and Curracloe.

Golfers are spoiled for choice and the following are just some of the 18 Hole courses available:

Ballymoney Golf Course, Gorey
Courtown Golf Club, Courtown
Enniscorthy Golf Club, Enniscorthy
New Ross Golf Club, New Ross
Rosslare Golf Club, Rosslare
St. Helen's Bay Resort, Wexford
Wexford Golf Club, Wexford

For horse riding enthusiasts

Curracloe House Equestrian Centre, Curracloe
Glenmoor Riding School, Fethard-On-Sea
Horetown Equestrian Centre, Foulksmills
Shelmalier Riding Stables, Wexford
Horse racing takes place on Wexford Race Course.
Greyhound racing can be enjoyed in Enniscorthy on Mondays and Thursdays.

Festivals include:

The Strawberry Fair Festival, Enniscorthy in July
Wexford Hooves & Grooves Festival, Wexford in July
Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival, Kilmore Quay in July
John F. Kennedy Dunbrody Festival, New Ross in July
Fethard's Fishy Festival Weekend, Fethard-On-Sea in August
Duncannon International Sand Sculpting Festival Competion & Exhibition, Duncannon in August
National Heritage Week Wexford in September
Wexford Opera Festival, Wexford in October.

Local attractions include:

1798 Centre Millpark Rd, Enniscorthy. Family friendly center tells tale of 1798 rebellion and its aftermath.

Ballyhack Castle, Ballyhack. Built approx 1450 by Knights Hospitallers of St. John

Ballylane Visitors Farm, New Ross. Working farm plus nature reserve..restaurant home produce

Bellefield Design, Bellefield,Enniscorthy. Community workshop outlet..gifts

Dunbrody Abbey & Visitor Centre, Campile,New Ross. Cistercian abbey founded 1210 AD..one of largest. Also site of ruins of Dunbrody Castle..now houses craft shop. Small museum/tearooms/large doll house replica of castle/pitch & putt/full size hedge maze..one of only 2 in Ireland.

Dunbrody, New Ross. The Dunbrody is a full scale reconstruction of a 19th century Famine ship, an authentic replica of the Three Masted Barque built in Quebec in 1845 for the Graves family of New Ross.

Duncannon Fort, Duncannon,Co.Wexford. Star shaped military fort built in 1588 in expectation of an attack on the area by the Spanish Armada. The fort was a military barracks until 1987 and is now a visitor centre.

Hook Lighthouse, Hook Head, Churchtown,Fethard-On-Sea. 13th Century oldest working lighthouse in Northern Europe.

Irish Agricultural Museum & Famine Exhibition, Johnstown Castle Old Farmyard.

The National Museum of agriculture and Rural Life is located in historic farm buildings (1810) within the extensive ornamental grounds of Johnstown Castle. A major famine exhibition covers history of potato and great disaster of 1840?s.

Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, Co.Wexford. Stroll through the park with its homesteads, places of ritual and burial modes..sights & sounds stretching back almost 9000 years.

Ferns Castle, Ferns Built 13th century, possibly by William, the Earl Marshall.

Kennedy Homestead, Dunganstown, New Ross. Birthplace of the Great Grandfather of President John F.Kennedy. the Kennedy Homestead visitor centre traces family history of those who stayed behind and those who left on an immigrant ship to the slums of Boston.

John F. Kennedy Arboretum is a plant collection of international standing dedicated to the memory of President John F.Kennedy.

Tintern Abbey, Saltmills, New Ross. Cistercian abbey founded circa 1200 by William, the Earl Marshall.

The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob, Wexford. As many as 1/3 of the world total population of Greenland,White Fronted Geese winter here. Well equipped visitor center, hides and other developed facilities for bird watching.

Yola Farmstead Folk Park, Tagoat, Rosslare Harbour. 5 acre complex of farm buildings, cottages, church, forge, working windmill, rare birds poultry and animals.

County genealogy centre, located in Yola Farmstead Folk Park is an excellent starting point for those seeking records of their family roots.

The Berkeley Costume & Toy Museum, Berkeley Forest House, New Ross. Private collection of 18th and 19th century toys, dolls and costumes.

Wexford County Museum, Enniscorthy. Located in the old Norman Castle, built in the first half of the 13th century by the Prendergast family. Contains fine collections commemorating the risings of 1798 and 1916.

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