Sights in County Wexford
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National 1798 Rebellion Centre
A visit here before climbing Vinegar Hill greatly enhances its impact. The centre's exhibits cover the French and American revolutions that sparked Wexford's abortive uprising against British rule in Ireland, before chronicling what was one of the most bloodthirsty battles of the 1798 Rebellion, and a turning point in the struggle. A month later, English troops attacked and forced the rebels to retreat, massacring hundreds of women and children in the 'follow-up' operation. Interactive displays include a chessboard with pieces representing key figures in the Rising, and a multiscreen recreation of the finale atop a virtual Vinegar Hill. From Abbey Sq walk out of town alon…
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Dunbrody Heritage Ship
Emigrants’ sorrowful yet often-inspiring stories are brought to life by actors during a 30-minute tour of the Dunbrody Heritage Ship, a full-scale replica 1845 Famine ship (also known as a ‘coffin ship’, due to the number of passengers who didn’t survive the journey). Prior to the tour, a 10-minute film gives you background on the original three-masted barque and the construction of the new one. Admission includes access to the onsite database of Irish emigration to America from 1845 to 1875, containing over two million records.
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John F Kennedy Arboretum
Containing 4500 species of trees and shrubs in 252 hectares of woodlands and gardens, the John F Kennedy Arboretum is the promised land for families on a sunny day. The park, 2km southeast of the Kennedy Homestead, has a small visitor centre, tearooms and a picnic area; a miniature train tootles around in the summer months. Slieve Coillte (270m), opposite the park entrance, has a viewing point from where you can see the arboretum and six counties on a clear day.
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Kennedy Homestead
About 7km south of New Ross, the Kennedy Homestead was the birthplace of Patrick Kennedy, great-grandfather of John F Kennedy, who left Ireland for the USA in 1848. When JFK visited the farm in 1963 and hugged the current owner’s grandmother, it was his first public display of affection according to his sister Jean. Jean later unveiled the plaque here. The outbuildings have been turned into a museum that examines the Irish-American dynasty’s history on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Fransiscan Friary
In 1649 Cromwell’s forces made a bonfire of the original 13th-century Fransiscan Friary, so most of the present building is from the 19th century. Only two original walls remain. Some parts, such as the tabernacle, are very modern, creating an appealing architectural incongruity. The friary houses a relic and wax effigy of St Adjutor, a boy martyr slain by his own father in ancient Rome.
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St Iberius' Church
South of the Bull Ring, St Iberius' Church was built in 1760 on the site of several previous churches (including one reputed to have been founded before St Patrick came to Ireland). Oscar Wilde's forebears were rectors here. The Renaissance-style frontage is worth a look, but the real treat is the Georgian interior with its finely crafted altar rails and set of 18th-century monuments in the gallery.
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Franciscan Friary
In 1649 Cromwell's forces made a bonfire of the original 13th-century Franciscan Friary, so most of the present building is from the 19th century. Only two original walls remain. The friary houses a relic and wax effigy of St Adjutor, a boy martyr slain by his own father in ancient Rome.
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Irish National Heritage Park
Over 9000 years of Irish history up to the Normans are squashed together at this recreated open-air museum. Costumed actors guide you past a recreated Neolithic farmstead, stone circle, ring fort, monastery, crannóg (artificial island), Viking shipyard and Norman castle. Your love of the place will likely be in inverse proportion to your age. The park is 3.5km northwest of Wexford town off the N25. A taxi from Wexford town costs about €8.
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Westgate
The only survivor of the six original town gates is the 14th-century Westgate. It was originally a tollgate, and the recesses used by the toll collectors are still intact, as is the lockup used to incarcerate 'runagates' – those who tried to avoid paying. Some stretches of the town wall are also in good nick, including a particularly well-preserved section near Cornmarket.
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Tintern Abbey
In better structural condition than its Welsh counterpart, from where its first monks hailed, Ireland's moody Tintern Abbey is secluded amid 40 hectares of woodland. William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, founded the Cistercian abbey in the early 13th century after he nearly perished at sea and swore to establish a church if he made it ashore.
The abbey sits amid wooded trails, lakes and idyllic streams. The grounds are always open, and a walk here is worth the trip at any time.
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Selskar Abbey
After Henry II murdered his friend Thomas Becket, he did penance at Selskar Abbey, founded by Alexander de la Roche in 1190. Basilia, the sister of Robert FitzGilbert de Clare , is thought to have married one of Henry II's lieutenants in the abbey. Its present ruinous state is a result of Cromwell's visit in 1649.
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Yola Farmstead Folk Park
Farm animals and flapping birds roam the reconstructed 18th-century thatched cottages, working windmill and tiny, four-pew church at Yola Farmstead folk park. The name of this small heritage centre comes from the local dialect, which still survives today. The park is just outside Tagoat, on the N25.
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Ballycross Apple Farm
About 9km north of Kilmore Quay, Ballycross sells its apples, apple juices, chutneys and jams direct to the public.
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Johnstown Castle & Gardens
Parading peacocks guard this splendid 19thcentury castellated house, the former home of the once-mighty Fitzgerald and Esmonde families.The empty castle overlooks a small lake and is surrounded by 20 hectares of wooded gardens.
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Irish Agricultural Museum
The outbuildings of the Johnstown Castle house the Irish Agricultural Museum. It has an interesting collection of farm machinery and Irish country furniture, a horse-drawn caravan and a small Famine exhibition.
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Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
Sitting below sea level and protected by dikes, a la Holland, this vast natural area protects a bird habitat and has an observation tower, assorted hides and a visitor centre with detailed exhibits. The name Slobs may not sound inspiring (the name derives from the Irish slab, meaning 'mud, mire or a soft-fleshed person'), but the reserve inspires awe among birdwatchers. Each winter, it's home to one-third of the world's population of Greenland white-fronted geese – some 10,000 in total. Winter is also a good time to spot the brent goose from Arctic Canada.
From Wexford, head north for 3km on the R741 towards Dublin and take the signposted right-hand turn; the visitor cen…
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Vinegar Hill
To visit the scene of the 1798 events, get a map from the tourist office and look for signs. It's a 2km drive or about a 45-minute walk from Templeshannon on the eastern side of the river. At the summit there's a memorial to the uprising, explanatory signs and views across the county.
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St Mary's Abbey
One of the largest medieval churches in Ireland, St Mary's was founded by Isabella of Leinster and her husband William in the 13th century. Ask at the tourist office for access.
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St Aidan's Cathedral
Restored to its original glory (check out the star-spangled roof), the dazzling Roman Catholic cathedral (1846) was designed by Augustus Pugin, the architect behind the Houses of Parliament in London. It's near the castle.
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Ros Tapestry
The Normans' influence on 13th-century Ireland (up to 400 boats with goods for trade would be in port at New Ross) is recalled via 15 tapestry panels created by volunteer embroiderers. There are audioguides and a shop. It's close to the Famine ship.
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Keyser's Lane
Duck your head and dart down Keyser's Lane, a covered passage off North Main St that dates back to Norse times.
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Enniscorthy Castle
During the 1798 Rising, rebels used this castle as a prison. The stout, four-towered keep was built by the Normans; Queen Elizabeth I awarded its lease to the poet Edmund Spenser for the flattering things he said about her in his epic The Faerie Queene. Rather ungratefully, he sold it to a local landlord. Like everything else in these parts, the castle was attacked by Cromwell in 1649. It now houses a good local museum which includes displays showing how the town grew and a spectacular rooftop deck.
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Dunbrody Famine Ship
Called 'coffin ships' due to the fatality rate of their passengers, the leaky, smelly boats that hauled a generation of Irish to America are recalled at this replica ship on the waterfront. The emigrants' sorrowful yet often-inspiring stories (they paid an average of £7 for the voyage) are brought to life by docents during 30-minute tours. A 10-minute film gives you background on the original three-masted barque and the construction of the new one. Admission includes access to the on-site database of Irish emigration to America from 1845 to 1875, containing over two million records.
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Bull Ring
Originally a beach where provisions were boated into the city, the Bull Ring became a centre for bull baiting in medieval times: the town's butchers gained their guild charter by providing a bull each year for the sport. The Lone Pikeman statue commemorates the participants in the 1798 Rising, who used the place as an open-air armaments factory.
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