Top Attractions

The Hook Lighthouse and Peninsula 

The Visitor Centre at Hook Lighthouse is at the tip of the Hook Peninsula, Lonely Planet describes it as one of the top 14 attractions in Ireland. The centre offers guided tours of the lighthouse tower, one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world.

The lighthouse is a 13th Century Norman structure, built by the Earl of Pembroke as part of the development of his Lordship of Leinster, culminating with the spectacular view from the balcony.

Relax by the sea and keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and even whales - check out this youtube video of humpbacks off the hook! In clear weather, you can see for miles, and in a storm the spray often reaches the top of the lighthouse!

Irish National Heritage Park

A visit to the Irish National Heritage Park is like no other you can imagine. Surprises await around every turn as you explore 35 acres of this remarkable heritage trail. From campsite to Ringfort, from mill to Fulacht Fiadh, from Crannog to Viking house, every activity is an unexpected adventure into 9,000 years.

The world you enter is an authentic recreation of Ireland’s heritage. Homesteads, places of ritual, burial modes and long forgotten remains will enlighten the casual visitor and interest the scholar.YouTube Video of the Heritage Park

Johnstown Castle and Irish Agricultural Museum

The harmony between great Victorian revival castles and their surrounding ornamental grounds is rarely seen to such perfection as at Johnstown Castle. The whole site is a jewel in the crown of Wexford Tourism.

The mature woodlands and lakes of this demesne provide the perfect setting for this turreted, battlemented and machicolated castle of gleaming silver-grey ashlar, built for the Grogan Morgan family between 1810 and 1855 and incorporating part of a more ancient castle.

The Irish Agricultural Museum is a premier cultural institution within the South East. It showcases country life and displays a vast array of artefacts relating to a bygone era including carts, ploughs, country dressers and sugan chairs. YouTube video of Johnstown Castle.

Enniscorthy Castle

Recently renovated and refurbished, Enniscorthy Castle explores the development of the castle and town from its earliest 12th Century Anglo-Norman origins, through the 16th century, with recreations of the rooms of Mr. Henry J. Roche and his family who lived there from 1903 to 1951. The exhibitions also explore the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy and the work of Irish furniture designer and architect Eileen Gray born in 1878 just outside Enniscorthy.

The roof of the castle is also accessible, with spectacular views of the surrounding buildings, Vinegar Hill, and countryside.

Dunbrody Famine Ship and Irish Emigration Experience

The Dunbrody was a 19th Century three-masted sailing ship that brought many emigrants from Ireland to North America during and after the Great Famine. An exact replica of this 176ft long 19th century ship was constructed and completed in 2001. Today she rests at the New Ross quay beside a fascinating state-of-the -art visitor centre which is a key focus for tourism in the area. YouTube Video of the Dunbrody.

Extreme Adventure at Gravity Forest Park

Gravity Forest Park boasts the largest adventure ropes courses in Ireland. With varying levels, get ready for Aerial Trekking, Zip Wires, Climbing Walls and more! Courtown itself is a fantastic family friendly resort - great beaches, walks and activities. See the Courtown harbour website for more information.

Most of the activities are all inclusive and are suitable and accessible for wheel chair users. Height restriction of 1.3 meters or taller and maximum weight of 120kg applies to all activities. Check out Gravity park on YouTube

Kilmore Quay and the Saltee Islands

Kilmore Quay is a beautiful small fishing village 20km from Wexford town noted for it's white washed thatched cottages and relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
A favourite with anglers, wildlife lovers and families, fishing boats ferry day trippers out to the Saltees Islands from the quay. The Islands were once a magnet for pirates and smugglers but are now home to hundreds of gannets, puffins and seals! Kilmore is famous for producing  some of the best and freshest seafood in the country.

National 1798 Visitor Centre and Vinegar Hill

This distinctive centre is located just off the N30 and N11 in the shadow of Vinegar Hill, beside the picturesque river Slaney and just 500 meters from the thriving market town of Enniscorthy. The Centre tells the epic and heroic tale of the 1798 Rebellion and its aftermath using the latest multi-media and interactive exhibits. A spectacular audio-visual presentation places the story in an international context and state-of-the-art exhibition techniques are used to give visitors a glimpse of our fascinating journey to modern democracy.

Vinegar Hill has an iconic view of Enniscorthy and was the location during the Rebellion of 1798 where Irish insurgents, led by Father Murphy, encamped on Vinegar hill and flew their banner from the windmill. The shell of the windmill remains today.

Loftus Hall

The haunting beauty of the Hook Peninsula provides the backdrop for Loftus Hall. It is reputed to be the most haunted house in Ireland but the only way you’ll find out is to come and visit Loftus Hall. Loftus Hall for the most part has been untouched since it was abandoned. Our tour guides will direct you through the ground floor of the house on an hour long interactive tour and recount the grim and gruesome history behind Loftus Hall, including it's notorious visitor! Be ready, Be brave, Beware! Hot beverages, meals and snacks can be enjoyed in our café while you take in the spectacular views across the peninsula. Mementos of your visit to Loftus Hall are also available in our retail area. Loftus Hall is accessible for wheelchairs. Toilet facilities, WiFi and secure parking are also available on site. Loftus Hall also have it's own private beach for picnics and play!

JFK Park & Arboretum

Dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States from 1960 to 1963, the Arboretum is a plant collection of international standing.

It covers 252 hectares (623 acres) on the southern slopes and summit of Slievecoiltia.  It contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world, planted in botanical sequence.  There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent. 

Special features include an Ericaceous Garden, (with 500 different rhododendrons, and many varieties of azaleas and heathers), dwarf conifers, hedges, ground covers and climbing plants. The lake is the most popular part of the Arboretum, and is a haven for waterfowl. 

A road provides access to the 271m summit from which there are panoramic views. A Visitor Centre houses exhibitions and an audio visual show.

Wells House

Waiting to be explored is Wells House & Gardens, a great Victorian House and Gardens in the heart of Wexford. Wells House has something special for all generations to enjoy and share: • The Lady Frances Woodland Walk: discover hidden treasures in a verdant landscape of mature plants and trees. Keep an eye out for the Wishing Well, the great climbing trees, Lady Frances’ Daffodils and perhaps even the kissing gate. • Victorian Terrace Gardens: Relax in our beautifully restored formal gardensbased on the original Daniel Robertson plans of the 1830’s. Daniel Robertson was the famous architect responsible for the iconic Powerscourt House, Co. Wicklow and Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. • Adventure Playground: Zip lines, swings, slides and climbing frames, perfect for kids up to 40. Ideally situated adjacent to the picnic area • Living Victorian HouseTour: Experience real life in a Victorian great house through the eyes of Lady Frances and the residents and workers at Wells House. • Wells House Archery: Let the resident Archer show you how to shoot a bow at the only 3Dcourse in Ireland. Allow 2 hours for this spectacular woodland course. • Mrs Stone’s Tearooms: Enjoy morning coffees, light lunches and afternoon teas. For that special treat try the signature cup cakes or irresistible fresh scones. • The Craft Courtyard – The old stables at Wells House have been converted into a welcoming Craft Courtyard.  With numerous Crafters displaying and selling their crafts this is the perfect place to come and buy a special gift for friends, family or even for yourself!

Come to wander and explore all this historic home has to offer and witness how the house and Arboretum, Lake and Ha Ha’s are further restored for future generations

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Wexford Harbour and its Slobs are natural havens for birds. Located on the south-east coast of Ireland, they are the closest point for birds migrating into or out of Ireland from Britain and the Continent from a southerly direction.

Waders and wildfowl in particular are attracted to the area where the flat landscape and the wide shallow harbour with its sandbars and mud banks provide safe areas to feed, loaf, roost and breed.

From early October through to the middle of April, the North and South Slobs and the Harbour are home to thousands of ducks, geese, swans and waders making this a site of major international importance for wildfowl and waders. In addition, during spring and autumn, large numbers of birds on migration stop to feed in these rich areas.

It's a short drive to the stunning Raven Nature Reserve - a beautiful place for a walk or cycle through mature pine forest growing on old sand dunes parallel to the sea.

Ferns Castle and Village

Ferns Castle was built in the 13th century, possibly by William, Earl Marshall. Originally, the castle formed a square, with large corner towers. Now, only half of the castle now remains. The most complete tower contains a fine circular chapel, with carved ornaments. The tower also has several original fireplaces and a vaulted basement. Archaeological excavations revealed a rock-cut ditch outside the castle walls.

Ferns itself has a fascinating history and was once the capital of Leinster - that legacy can be seen all around the village.

Wexford Opera House

Wexford Opera House is Ireland’s first custom-built, multi-purpose opera house. The stunning landmark building is nestled in the heart of the beautiful Harbour town of Wexford and offers two diverse performance spaces, The John and Aileen O’Reilly Theatre and the Jerome Hynes Theatre. Each autumn it becomes the focus of cultural tourism in the south east during the Opera festival.

It offers a wide range of entertainment, from light opera to popular culture, amateur drama, top comedy acts and international tours.

Enjoy a behind the scenes tour and take in the orchestra pit, artists' dressing rooms, backstage areas and sample the acoustics of our two diverse performance spaces, the O'Reilly Theatre and the Jerome Hynes Theatre.

 Tours every Saturday at 2:30pm.  Tickets €5

 Book online at www.wexfordoperahouse.ie or call the Box Office on 053 912 2144

Wexford Arts Centre

Wexford Arts Centre is situated in a historic18th Century building in the centre of Wexford town.  A year round inspiring programme of events include film, theatre, dance, lively music, family events, comedy and visual art exhibitions including the Cáca Milis Cabaret. The centre hosts all year round free admission to all our art exhibitions and talks. Our education workshops for all ages including Little Artist Clubs, Arty Parties and afterschool drama programmes.
 
The centre also hosts the D'lush Café, serving delicious fresh locally produced fare and a fine selection of coffees and teas daily.

Drop in or visit our website for more details on our vibrant and inspiring arts programme.

Open Tues-Sat 10.00am-5.30pm
D'lush Cafe:  Mon- Sat 9.00am-5.00pm

Wexford Garden Trail

Our gardens reflect both the history and the diversity of the county and its landscape. Some of our gardens were originally laid out in the 18th and 19th century while others were begun just 10 years ago. Our larger public gardens provide an ideal outing for all the family, our smaller private gardens will give you not only an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon, they will also introduce you to the large range of plants which we can grow in this temperate region. Our trail includes Specialist Nurseries for the more unusual plants and, spread through the county, award winning Garden Centres who will provide for all your gardens needs.

Explore Wexford's Beautiful and Historic Gardens

Ros Tapestry

Europe's Largest Embroidered Tapestry. 15 large panels depict the story from Celtic Ireland to the events which led to the arrival of the Normans to Ireland and the subsequent founding of the Port of Ros by William Marshal & his wife Isabel de Clare. Conceived in 1998, the Ros Tapestry has been completely hand crafted by more than 150 local embrioderers from Co.Wexford and Southeast Ireland. This unique exhibition provides an exquisitely beautiful, colourful and lively presentation of medieval life in Ireland and is a popular stop on the south east tourism scence.