Basic Info.
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County Wexford is in the south-eastern corner of the country, with a long coastline on both the Irish sea and Celtic Sea. On the north it is bounded by the hills of County Wicklow and on the west by the River Barrow and the Blackstairs mountains. The River Slaney waters its fertile central plain.
Wexford's name derives from Waesfjoed, a norse word meaning estuary of mud flats. It thrived as a coastal county centered around Wexford town with lots of sea traffic mostly from England and Wales. The silting of Wexford Port in the Victorian era finished most of traffic which moved to Rosslare further south and still remains the county's main port. Wexford boasts that is the sunniest county in Ireland and has some of the sandiest stretches of beach in the country. The landscape ranges from rolling countryside to mountains and from forests to rugged natural landscape.
Wexford's history goes back to pre-Christian times. The first part of Ireland to be invaded by Anglo-Normans in 1169, Wexford was subjugated by Oliver Cromwell in 1649. Wexford was one of the centres of the Irish rebellion of 1798.
The county provides some of the best leisure facilities available, Blue Flag Beaches, Angling, Water Sports and top class golf courses. It also boasts magnificent hotels and restaurants and some of the best pubs in Ireland. For the holidaymaker in Wexford there are angling and canoeing on the River Slaney, climbing in the Blackstairs mountains, and hunting in several parts of the county. |
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Johnstown Castle
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Johnstown Castle
Once owned by the Grogan family who were the biggest untitled landowners in Ireland. It was donated to the state after the death of the last resident Lady M Fitzgerald in 1942 on condition that it be used for agricultural education and research. The castle itself a gothic revival style masion is not open to the public but the wonderful 50 acre gardens are. |
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The Irish Agricultural Museum
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The Irish Agricultural Museum
This Museum is located in the old farmyard buildings of Johnstown Castle, which were built about 1810. These have been restored and converted to provide facilities for Ireland's largest Agricultural Museum. There is also a new display of lawn and garden equipment. The exhibitions cover farm and rural transport, rural crafts, all the major farming activities as well as the activities on the farmyard and farm dwelling. A large permanent exhibition on the story of the potato and of the Great Famine of 1845-47 has recently opened. |
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National Heritage Park
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National Heritage Park
Located at Ferrycarrig, the National Heritage Park traces the habitation of man in Ireland, from the first settlers to the arrival of the Normans in the twelfth century. It demonstrates this through life size reconstruction of homesteads, burial modes and places of ritual. Your senses are sure to come alive with sites and sounds stretching back almost nine thousand years. Celtic Banquets are held on selected evenings where a lordly Celtic Chief fills vats with liquor, and prepares great quantities of food. Traditional Bards are also provided to entertain. |
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Hook Lighthouse
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Hook Lighthouse
Located opposite Churchtown, Hook Lighthouse was built in the thirteenth century as a navigation aid by William Marshal - Earl of Pembroke, as part of the development of his
Lordship of Leinster. The massive structure has three stone vaulted chambers with a spiral stairway ascending through the thickness of the wall. According to tradition, a warning beacon was established at Hook Head in the sixth century by a Welsh monk named Dubhan, whose church still exists at nearby Churchtown. His successors were appointed custodians of Marshal's Tower and continued to keep the light for several centuries. Visitors to the oldest operational lighthouse in both Ireland and Great Britain will experience a journey through time from the story of the sixth century beacon up to present day light keeping. |
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John F. Kennedy Arboretum
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John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Located at New Ross, the John F Kennedy Arboretum displays extensive collection of trees and shrubs from temperate regions of the world, dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Arranged in botanical sequence, it covers 252 hectares of the Southern slopes and summit of Slieve Coillte. It includes 200 forest plots, rhododendrons, dwarf conifers, hedges, lake and viewing point.
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Yola Farmsted Folk Park
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Yola Farmsted Folk Park
Located at Rosslare Harbour, Yola Folk Park rediscovers the delights of eighteenth century village life in Ireland, taking in a restored farmhouse and dining in the old world surroundings of Granny's Kitchen with its authentic open fire. Watch and listen as the wind drives the sails on one of the country's few working windmills. Call into the schoolhouse, the Kennedy House with its adjoining aviary and visit the lofted Kilmore Cottage. |
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Maritime Museum
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Maritime Museum
Located at Kilmore Quay, The Maritime Museum is housed on board the lightship Guillemot. There are two museums in one, since the lightship is the last Irish Lights vessel, complete with all its cabins (containing the original furniture, generations and fittings). It also houses many original and unusual artifacts. From the bridge desk both the book and the barrels lights can be seen, there are also excellent views of the Saltee Islands. Below deck there are model ships, a very extensive collection of pictures, and many sea antiques. |
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Ballyhack Castle
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Ballyhack Castle
Ballyhack Castle is situated on a steep slope overlooking Waterford estuary. The Castle, a large tower house, is thought to have been built in 1450 by the Knights Hospitallers of Saint John. The Knights were one of the two great military orders founded at the beginning of the twelfth century at the time of the crusades. |
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Berkeley Forest House Museum
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Berkeley Forest House Museum
Located at New Ross, Berkeley Forest Museum houses 18th and 19th Century toys, costumes, toy carriages, embroidered textiles and rare dolls - many of them from Irish families. The property is that of the family of George Berkeley, in whose honour the University of California is named. The fine collection is housed in the main rooms. A small pretty garden is included in the visit. |
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Duncannon Fort
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Duncannon Fort
Duncannon Fort is star shaped and built at a strategically important promontory in Waterford Harbour. It was erected in 1588 in the expectation of an attack by the Spanish Armada. There had previously been a Celtic fort and a Norman castle on the site. The fort is noted for its dry moat, exterior walls and the legend of the croppy boy.
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Heritage Sites
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Tintern Abbey
Located at Saltmills, close to New Ross, Tintern is a Cistercian abbey, founded circa 1200 by William Earl of Marshal, and named after Tintern in Wales. The remains of the Abbey consist of the nave, chancel, tower, chapel and cloister. It was partly converted into living quarters after 1541, and further adapted over the centuries. Guided tours are available on request.
Tintern Abbey Saltmills, New Ross
A Cistercian abbey, founded c. 1200 by William, the Earl Marshall, and named after Tintern in Wales. The remains consist of nave, chancel, tower, chapel and cloister. It was partly converted into living quarters after 1541, and further adapted over the centuries. The Abbey was occupied by the Colclough family from the 16th century until 1960s.
Ballyhack Castle
Ballyhack Castle is located on a steep slope in a commanding position overlooking Waterford estuary. The castle, a large tower house, is thought to have been built c. 1450 by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John, one of the two great military orders founded at the beginning of the 12th century at the time of the Crusades. |
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Reservation: reservation@lmho.net 
