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County Wexford
County Wexford's navigable rivers and fertile farmland have long lured invaders and privateers. The Vikings founded Ireland's first major town on the wide, easy-flowing River Slaney, which cuts through the middle of the county. Today the Viking city of Wexford is a centre for opera and art, complementing a beach-fringed coastline and a rural hinterland dotted with cute villages and thatched cottages.
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout County Wexford.
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Hook Lighthouse
On its southern tip, Hook Head is capped by the world's oldest working lighthouse, with a modern light flashing atop a 13th-century tower. Access is by half-hour guided tour, which includes a climb up the 115 steps for great views. The visitors centre has a good cafe, while the grassy grounds and surrounding shore are ideal for picnics and walks. It's said that monks first lit a beacon on the head in the 5th century, and that the first Viking invaders were so happy to have a guiding light that they left them alone. In the early 13th century William Marshal erected a more permanent structure, which is still standing today beneath the lighthouse's neat, black-and-white-striped exterior.
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Irish National Heritage Park
Over 9000 years of Irish history are squeezed together at this open-air museum 5.5km west of the town centre. After a short audiovisual presentation, take a guided tour (included in admission, but book ahead) or audio self-guided tour (€2), encompassing a Neolithic farmstead, stone circle, ring fort, monastery, crannóg (artificial island), Viking shipyard and Norman castle (on the site of original Norman fort remains). Family-friendly activities include archery, an adventure playground, and workshops such as blacksmithing, flint knapping and foraging.
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Loftus Hall
Situated 3.5km northeast of Hook Head, this crumbling manor house gazes across Waterford Harbour to Dunmore East. Dating from the 1600s and rebuilt in the 1870s, Loftus Hall is reputed to be one of Ireland's most haunted houses. Its 45-minute historical daytime tours (ages five and above) depart up to six times a day, while monthly 'paranormal lockdown' evening tours (over-18s only) run from 8.30pm to 2.30am. Its 2-hectare walled gardens shelter box hedges, bulbs and a fairy trail. Check the website for special events such as Halloween.
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Selskar Abbey
After Henry II murdered his former ally Thomas Becket, he did penance at Selskar Abbey, founded in 1190. Basilia, the sister of Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare (better known as Strongbow), 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. Admission is only by guided tour, run by Wexford Walking Tours – gather at the Westgate, off Spawell Rd.
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Creative Hub
An abandoned 20th-century shopping mall was transformed in 2018 into this innovative arts centre. Its former shops are now home to more than 25 artists, craftspeople and local musicians who create and promote their work here. The Maker's House is a one-stop shop showcasing and selling sculptures, furniture, mirrors, stained glass, paintings, fashion, jewellery, music recordings and more. Concerts, exhibitions and one-off events often take place in the interconnecting passageways.
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St Iberius' Church
St Iberius' Church was built in 1660. The Renaissance-style frontage is worth a look, but the real treat is the Georgian interior with its finely crafted altar rails and 18th-century monuments in the gallery. Oscar Wilde's forebears were rectors here. The church is also famed for its superb acoustics, and is an occasional venue for concerts.
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Dunbrody Abbey
Beside the R733, 9km north of Duncannon, ruined Dunbrody Abbey is a remarkably intact Cistercian abbey founded by Strongbow in 1170 and completed in 1220. Across the road from the ruins is a museum with a huge doll's house, minigolf and an entertaining yew-hedge maze made up of over 1500 trees. There are also tearooms and a craft shop.
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Duncannon Fort
Star-shaped Duncannon Fort, just west of Duncannon village, was built in 1588 to stave off a feared attack by the Spanish Armada, and was later used by the Irish army as a WWI training base (most buildings here date from this period). There are four guided tours a day, each lasting around 45 minutes.
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Bull Ring
The Bull Ring is a small, open square in the city centre that gets its name from having been used as a venue for bull baiting in medieval times. These days the Bull Ring is the site of the city's twice-weekly market. The Lone Pikeman statue commemorates the rebels of the 1798 Rising, who used the place as an open-air armaments factory.