Wexford Opera House | Wexford

Information

Landmark: Wexford Opera House
City: Wexford
Country: Ireland
Continent: Europe

Wexford Opera House, Wexford, Ireland, Europe

The National Opera House (formerly Wexford Opera House) is Ireland's first purpose-built opera house, located in Wexford Town. It serves as the primary venue for the internationally recognized Wexford Festival Opera.

Visual Characteristics

The building features a contemporary design integrated into a tight historic urban site.

Exterior: Clad in North American walnut and glass, with a skyline-dominating copper-clad fly tower.

O'Reilly Theatre: The main auditorium is a 769-seat "horseshoe" shaped theater lined with American Black Walnut. It is designed for optimal acoustics for unamplified voice.

Jerome Hynes Theatre: A smaller, flexible studio space with 175 seats for intimate performances and rehearsals.

Views: The top-floor bar provides panoramic views of Wexford Harbour and the Slaney Estuary.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: High St, Townparks, Wexford, Y35 FEP3, Ireland.

Position: Situated on a steep, narrow street in the heart of Wexford's medieval town center.

Transit: Within 10 minutes' walk of Wexford O'Hanrahan Railway and Bus Station.

Parking: No on-site parking. Nearby public car parks include High Street (pay-and-display) and various multi-story facilities in the town center.

Accessibility: Fully accessible with lifts serving all levels and dedicated wheelchair seating in both theaters.

Historical Origin

1951: The Wexford Festival Opera was founded, originally performing in the 1832 Theatre Royal.

2008: The current National Opera House was opened on the site of the old Theatre Royal after a significant multi-million euro development project.

National Status: Formally designated as Ireland's National Opera House by the Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht in 2014.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Facilities: Features three bars and a café.

Operational Hours: Box Office typically open Monday–Saturday, 09:30–17:00. During the festival (October/November), hours extend significantly.

Connectivity: Consistent 5G/4G coverage throughout the facility.

Wexford Festival Opera

The venue is world-famous for its annual autumn festival, which specializes in "forgotten" or rarely performed operas. This event attracts international performers and audiences, significantly impacting the region's economy and cultural status.