Located in the southeast region of Ireland, County Wexford has a long and interesting history behind. Wexford used to be a Viking town for about 300 years before it was besieged and has become a center for rebellion and related activities. In present, it has become one of the tourist hubs in Ireland.
READ MORE: Best Hotels In Wexford.
Wexford also hosts internationally recognized events nowadays- opening up its culture to the rest of the world. If you don’t want to miss all the good things in this part of Ireland, here are 15 things to do in Wexford to give you a headstart.
Things you'll find in this article
- 15 Best Things To Do In Wexford (For 2024)
- 1. Visit the Irish National Heritage Park
- 2. Take an afternoon break in John F Kennedy Park & Arboretum
- 3. Grab a pint in Main Street
- 4. Take a quick tour in Ferns Castle
- 5. Spare an hour for the Tintern Abbey
- 6. Appreciate Gothic architecture in Selskar Abbey
- 7. Watch a concert in St Iberius’ Church
- 8. Catch the spires of the Twin Churches
- 9. Bring the kids to Wells House and Gardens
- 10. Take a quick peek at the Colclough Walled Garden
- 11. Go-karting in the Blackwater Open Farm
- 12. Watch the rolling waves in Curracloe Beach
- 13. Discover an old pilgrimage site in Our Lady’s Island Lake
- 14. Watch birds in Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- 15. Visit the old Hook Head
15 Best Things To Do In Wexford (For 2024)
1. Visit the Irish National Heritage Park
Start your trip by visiting the Irish National Heritage Park. This outdoor museum showcasing over 9000 years of Irish history is just located on the right bank of the River Stanley. The museum has 14 hectares of natural forest and wet woodland which used to be the ground of the early Viking settlers. You can find Viking houses, marsh houses, an old church, a ringfort, and other historical pieces.
Opening Hours
Monday- Sunday- 9:301am-5:30 pm
Admission Fee
Adult: €10.50
Family (2 adults + 1 child): €25.00
Family (2 adults + up to 3 children under 18 years of age): €30.00
Children 4 years and under are free of charge
Children between 5 and 16 years of age (incl) €5.00
Student: €8.00 (17+ years of age)
Senior Citizen: €9.00
Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by adults at all times in the park.
Contact Information
Phone: 053 9120733
Email:info@inhp.com
Address: The Irish National Heritage Park Ferrycarrig, County Wexford, Ireland.Y35 X313
2. Take an afternoon break in John F Kennedy Park & Arboretum
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Take your entire family to a long walk at the park. John F Kennedy Park and Arboretum is just the perfect location to spend the afternoon with kids or a group of friends. Located in New Ross, this 622-acre park is consists of over 4,500 shrubs, flowers, and trees. You can also find a lake in the park for a relaxing waterside view. Visitors can take the guided tour around the park or simply get a picnic. Kids, on the other hand, can play in the spacious playground.
Opening Hours
Open all Year
October – March:
Daily 10am – 5pm
(Main Arboretum)
October – March:
Daily 10 am – 4:3pm
(Slieve Coillte)
April:
Daily 10 am- 6:30 pm
May-August:
Daily 10 an – 8 pm
September:
Daily 10 am – 63;0 pm
Daily Guided Tours:
April – September :
12noon & 3pm
Meet at the Visitor Centre
Guided Tours can also be booked in advance.
Admission Fee
Adult: €5.00
Group/Senior: €4.00
Child/Student: €3.00
Family: €13.00
Contact Information
Phone:+353 (0) 51 388 171
Email: jfkarboretum@opw.ie
Address: Ballysop New Ross Co. Wexford Y34 KA48
3. Grab a pint in Main Street
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Your one stop to everything fun, Main Street is the place to shop, dine, and grab a pint while in Wexford. You can also find a lot of historical monuments near Main Street such as the St. Iberius’ Church and Selskar Abbey. There are also Victorian houses just sitting along the street where some are transformed into arts and crafts shop, pubs, cafes, and design boutiques.
4. Take a quick tour in Ferns Castle
Sitting within the small village of Ferns, the Ferns Castle can be dated back to the 13th century. The original shape of the castle was a square one but it is currently out of shape after the northern part of the castle was destroyed in 1649. However, visitors can still take the guided tour in the south end part of the castle though.
Opening Hours
Daily 10 am-5pm
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Phone: +353 (53) 936 6411
Email: jerpointabbey@opw.ie
Address: The Square, Ferns, Co. Wexford, Y21 D892
5. Spare an hour for the Tintern Abbey
Another memorabilia of the 13th century is the Tintern Abbey, This monastery used to be a Cistercian monastery before it was handed over to the care of Colclough Baronets. In present times, there is a 45-minute guided tour which covers the nave, cloisters, chancel, chapel, and the main tower.
Opening Hours
28th March – 29th October
Daily 9.30 – 5 pm
June, July, and August
Daily 10 am – 5:30 pm
Admission Fee
Adult – €5.00
Group/Senior – €4.00
Child/Std – €3.00
Family – €13.00
Contact Information
Phone: +353 51 562650
Email: tintern.abbey@opw.ie
Address: Saltmills New Ross WexfordRepublic of Ireland
6. Appreciate Gothic architecture in Selskar Abbey
Selskar Abbey is a Gothic church from the 12th century. However, it was also rumored that a Celtic monastery used to stand before this church during the Middle Ages. This church of 450 years is surprisingly still in a good condition and you can easily spot the three ogival arches in the chancel window and a defensive tower on the opposite side.
Contact Information
Phone: +353 86 352 6133
Email: hello@visitwexford.ie
Address: Tower Ct, Ferrybank South, Wexford, Ireland
7. Watch a concert in St Iberius’ Church
Inspired by the Neo-Romanesque and Neoclassical architecture, St. Iberius’ Church is a church from the 18th century which usually hosts regular concerts given by Irish choirs, classical ensembles, and soloists.
Opening Hours
Open all year: Monday – Saturday.9.30 am-4 pm
Contact Information
Address: Ferrybank South, Wexford, Ireland
8. Catch the spires of the Twin Churches
One of the prominent features of the Wexford skyline, the Twin Churches is a pair of identical Gothic Revival Churches built in the 1850s. Do not be confused though because the Church of the Assumption and the Church of the Immaculate Concepcion have the exact design but only shorter.
Contact Information
Phone: +353 53 912 2055
Address: Bride St, Whitewell, Wexford, Ireland
9. Bring the kids to Wells House and Gardens
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Another top location that kids will definitely live while in Wexford is the Wells House and Gardens. This house is a country estate which opened for visitors in 2012. You can take a guided tour of the house, stroll around the garden, or participate in arts and crafts workshops. They also host special events for summer and spring. For the kids, there are interactive activities like archery or playing with the animals on the estate’s farm.
Opening Hours
April – September: Daily, 10 am – 6 pm
Admission Fee
€10 – per car
Contact Information
Phone: 053 9186737
Email: info@wellshouse.ie
Address: Ballyedmond, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland
10. Take a quick peek at the Colclough Walled Garden
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The Colclough Walled Garden is sitting beside the Tintern Abbey. It has one hectare of land which is divided by a wall. The eastern part of the garden has colorful flowers and ornaments while the western part is made up of herbs and spices for kitchen use.
Opening Hours
April to September. 10 am to 6 pm
October to March: 10 am to 4 pm
Last admission: 30 minutes before closing time.
Admission Fee
€5: Adult. €3: Reduced Rate; Senior Citizens, Students, Groups of 10+.
Annual Ticket available.
New Combined Ticket €9 Tintern Abbey and Garden
Under 14 years: free admission.
Contact Information
Phone: +353 83 306 4159
Email: colcloughwalledgarden@gmail.com
Address: Tintern Abbey, Castleworkhouse, New Ross, Co. Wexford,
11. Go-karting in the Blackwater Open Farm
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Blackwater Open Farm is another destination in Wexford that kids and kids at heart can enjoy. Visitors can meet and pet the animals on the farm from horses, donkeys, and llamas to pigs, sheep, and goats. Indoor karting is also one of the highlights of the place as well as the zip line and adventure playground. The farm also hosts seasonal events like Easter Egg Hunt which is a great experience to try if you’re traveling with kids during the season. If the weather permits, you can also have a sweet picnic in the garden.
Opening Hours
Daily – 10 am- 5pm
Admission Fee
Under 1 – go free
1 & 2 yrs – €4 each
3yrs + – €7 each
Adults – €7 each
OAP – €7 each Family rate
€35 (2 adults and 4 kids)
Hen parties – €30 per person
20 + or more Hens & the Hen goes FREE
Contact Information
Phone: 085 1227901 or 087 1303057
Email: info@blackwateropenfarm.ie
Address: Ballinaclash, Blackwater, Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford
12. Watch the rolling waves in Curracloe Beach
This beach in Ireland is not really located in the heart of Wexford but the 10-minute drive to reach this beach is totally worth it. Enjoy a day watching the rolling waves by the shore or letting the kids play by the shallow water. From Curracloe Beach, there is also a nature trail leading to the Raven Point.
13. Discover an old pilgrimage site in Our Lady’s Island Lake
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You can find this brackish lake by the sea in the southern part of Wexford. Not only it is engulfed with beauty, but the lake is also rich in history. Near the lake are the ruins of a Norman Castle, a leaning tower, and church ruins. In front of the Norman Castle is also a 1,500-old pilgrimage site for the Virgin Mary where a lot of devotees pay a visit on mid-August.
Opening Hours
Pilgrimage
Daily Mass during season 3 pm and 8 pm
Eucharistic Holy Hour 5.30 to 6.30pm Tue and Thurs
Healing Blessing with oils after 3 pm Mass
Sacrament of Reconciliation usually after 8 pm Mass.
Contact Information
Phone: 053-9131167
Email: info@ourladysisland.ie
Address: The Parochial House Our Lady’s Island, Wexford.
14. Watch birds in Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
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If you’re driving to Curracloe Beach, you’ll find it easier to spot the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. This wetland reserve in the northern edge of Wexford is bursting with birdlife all year long. However, winter season gets the reserve pretty occupied since a lot of Greenland white-fronted geese pay a visit. Other types of birds also try to steal the spotlight here.
Opening Hours
Daily – 9 am-5pm
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Phone: +353 76 100 2660
Email: wwreducation@ahg.gov.ie
Address: North Slob Ardcavan, Co Wexford
15. Visit the old Hook Head
Located in the southwest portion of Wexford, the Hook Head is the second-oldest operating lighthouse in the entire world. The Hook Head Lighthouse has been lighting up the sea for more than 8 centuries already.
Opening Hours
Daily 09.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Tours every half hour from 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
July & August
Daily 09.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.
Tours every half hour from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Lighthouse, Visitor Centre and Cafe will open until 7 pm and will offer additional tours. Guided tours will run every half hour from 10 am with the last tour of the day on offer at 7 pm.
September to December
Daily 9.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Tours every half hour from 10 a.m. – 5 pm
Admission Fee
Adult: €10.00
Concession: €9.00
Child under 5 yrs free (with accompanying adult/family)
Child (age 5 to 18): €6.00
Assisted Visitor: €9.00 (for 2 tickets with carer’s card
Family (1 adult + 1 child): €14.00
Family (1 adult + 2 children): €18.00
Family (2 adults + 1 child): €24.00
Family (2 adults + 2 children): €28.00
Family (2 adults + 3 children): €30.00
Sunrise and Sunset Experiences €45.00 pp
Contact Information
Phone: +353 – 051-397055 or +353 -051-397054
Email: info@hookheritage.ie
Address: Churchtown, Hook Head, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Thinking of visiting Wexford? Here’s the list of best hotels in Wexford that you can choose from.
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