Information
City: WexfordCountry: Ireland
Continent: Europe
Wexford, Ireland, Europe
Overview
Wexford, a historic town and county in southeast Ireland, sits with the Irish Sea lapping at its eastern shore.Wexford draws both visitors and locals with its deep maritime roots, sweeping coastal views, and centuries-old history you can almost hear in the creak of its harbor docks.It opens the door to Ireland’s picturesque South East, where you can wander windswept cliffs, explore centuries-old castles, and uncover a rich mix of culture and history.First.Wexford sits where the River Slaney meets the sea, its sheltered harbor once crowded with trading ships and fishing boats that kept the town alive for centuries.The town and county offer a striking mix of scenery, from the wide, fertile plains at their heart to green, rolling hills, patchwork farms, and the soft shimmer of golden beaches by the sea.Wexford Harbour sits along the River Slaney, its waters long shaping the town’s trade and way of life, while the county’s coastline draws visitors to golden stretches like Wexford Strand, Curracloe, and Rosslare, where the sand warms underfoot and the sea invites swimmers; through the centuries, Viking raids, Norman rule, and fierce roles in Irish rebellions have etched deep layers into its history.In the Middle Ages, the town held a key strategic position, and its part in battles and alliances still shapes the local culture-you can see it in the stone archway that’s stood for centuries.Wexford’s story begins in the 9th century with Viking settlers, their longships pulling into the sheltered harbor, and centuries later, in the 12th, the Normans built strong walls to guard it.In the 17th century, Wexford Castle stood as a key landmark, its stone walls weathered by salt air.The town itself became the heart of the 1641 Rebellion, a pivotal moment in Ireland’s history.It also saw pivotal moments in the Williamite War of the 1690s, and a century later, Wexford became a fierce stronghold in the 1798 Rebellion, where Irish rebels clashed with British forces in the narrow, cobbled streets.Wexford witnessed fierce, bloody clashes, and the surrounding fields still carry those memories.Today, though English is the main language, Irish culture thrives-fiddles spill quick, bright notes in pub corners, dancers step in time, and old stories still shape the town’s spirit.Wexford has a rich tradition of teaching the Irish language and celebrating its culture, from lively music sessions to storytelling nights by the fire.Wexford is famous for its annual Festival Opera, a celebrated event filling the Opera House with music and drama every year since 1951.The festival offers an array of operatic performances that draw artists and audiences from around the world, while Wexford’s lively traditional music scene fills town squares with fiddles and bodhráns during festivals and ceili dances celebrating Ireland’s heritage; the county also boasts a proud literary history, having produced celebrated writers, poets, and playwrights, and its landscape is dotted with historic castles, centuries-old churches, maritime museums, and peaceful nature reserves.In Wexford Town, the center bursts with Georgian charm-narrow cobbled streets wind past old stone façades, leading to landmarks like the Wexford Opera House, Wexford Castle, and the Irish National Heritage Park.The Kennedy Arboretum, just outside the town of New Ross, honors the life of John F., where quiet paths wind through tall, whispering trees.Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, had family roots that reached back to the area, where old stone walls still line the winding roads.You can follow winding paths with sweeping views of the Slaney River, the breeze carrying the scent of saltwater.Bannow Island, rich in history, holds traces of a Viking settlement and the crumbling walls of a medieval church.The island’s perfect for spotting seabirds and wandering its wild paths.At the harbour’s mouth, Hook Lighthouse-one of the oldest still in use-rises against the sky, its white tower weathered by centuries of salt and wind.You can climb the lighthouse and take in sweeping views of the rugged coastline, where waves crash against the rocks.Just outside Wexford town, the Irish National Heritage Park invites you to wander through life-size reconstructions from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Viking, and Medieval times.In the town itself, the ivy-clad ruins of 12th-century Selskar Abbey mark the spot where the Treaty of Wexford was signed in 1169.All around, Wexford’s shores, sandy beaches, and quiet nature reserves showcase its unspoiled beauty.Famous for its teeming wildlife and varied landscapes, it draws nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike-think bright parrots flashing through the trees and deer grazing in quiet clearings.Curracloe Strand is a long sweep of pale sand and clear, cool water, made famous as the backdrop for the opening scenes of *Saving Private Ryan*.Curracloe sits within the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, where herons glide over saltmarsh and flocks wheel above the dunes near Curracloe Strand, making it a true haven for birdwatchers.The site is a key stop for migrating wildfowl and ranks among Europe’s most important wetlands.The Slaney River winds through Wexford town, where you can cast a line for trout or glide past reeds in a kayak.The river valley is celebrated for its sweeping views and abundant wildlife, while the Saltee Islands brim with life-gannets wheeling overhead, puffins bobbing on the waves, and seals basking on sun-warmed rocks.You can hop on a boat to explore the islands and take in the rugged beauty of the coast, where salt hangs in the air.Wexford’s mix of rolling hills and sweeping shoreline makes it perfect for outdoor adventures, from strolling the sandy stretch at Curracloe Strand to wandering the trails at Ferrycarrig or the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve.You can also take winding trails over the Blackstairs Mountains and Sliabh Bán, then head to the coast where the salty breeze sets the scene for surfing, sailing, windsurfing, or kayaking.Rosslare Strand draws plenty of visitors for activities like fishing, with the River Slaney and nearby coast offering prime spots for both freshwater and sea catches-think the flash of a silver mackerel in the sun.Wexford also bursts to life with festivals that showcase its rich heritage, music, and arts.Wexford’s calendar is packed with highlights: every October, the world-famous Wexford Festival Opera fills the air with soaring arias from both local and international performers; the lively Wexford Spiegeltent Festival brings theatre, music, and laughter to a historic tent glowing with warm light; the Wexford Food Festival tempts visitors with fresh oysters, bustling markets, and dishes crafted by local chefs; and when winter arrives, the Winterland Festival wraps the town in twinkling lights, ice-skating, and the scent of mulled wine.
Landmarks in Wexford
