Wexford in the Sunny South East
08/08/2009 Wexford has plenty to offer from history and heritage to nature and sports.
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CURRACLOE
(Blue Flag Beach) Eight miles north of Wexford town.
Curracloe has seven miles of sheltered sandy beach backed by sand dunes and forest walks at the Raven Point. It is a safe paradise for children where everyone can enjoy peace and privacy. This beach is lifeguarded from 11-7 weekends in June and 11-7 daily during July and August.
DUNCANNON
This is a popular family resort with a wide range of facilities.
COURTOWN
(Blue Flag Beach) with miles of sandy seafront, Courtown offers a wide range of
facilities for all the family including watersports, walking routes and local amusements. This beach is lifeguarded from 11-7 on weekends in June and 11-7 daily in July and August.
KILMORE QUAY
(Blue Flag Marina) Fourteen miles south of Wexford town,
Kilmore Quay is a fishing village with facilities including beaches, angling,
diving, sailing and day trips to the bird sanctuary on the Saltee Islands.
ROSSLARE STRAND
(Blue Flag Beach) Nine miles south of Wexford town, Rosslare Strand offers miles of safe sandy beaches with excellent facilities,including hotels, restaurants, pubs, golf course, tennis courts and a children’s playground.
The beach itself is comprised of sand and stone running the length of the southern peninsula which protrudes into Wexford Harbour. The main beach is
accessed by various walkways and its main access point is from the main car park. The beach is segmented by a series of timber breakwaters which are designed to retain sandy deposits along the beach.
The beach is lifeguarded from 11-7 weekends in June and from 11-7 daily July and August.
MORRISCASTLE
Morriscastle Beach is a Blue Flag beach located on the East Coast of County Wexford about 4 miles South of Cahore Point. The Beach is a fine sandy beach stretching some 2 miles in length. It is claimed to be the longest beach in Ireland and is known locally as the ‘Golden Mile’. The area is important from a nature point of view with a Special Area of Conservation – Kilmuckridge / Tinnaberna Sandhills to the South. The Wexford Coastal Pathway passes through Morriscastle on its 221km journey. From the car park it is a 150 metre walk onto the strand. The beach is a very popular for bathing with locals and visitors.
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SCENIC DRIVES
WEXFORD-ROSSLARE-KILMORE QUAY
WEXFORD:
For some history and heritage visit the Westgate Heritage Centre in town and the fantastic National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig, The Irish Agricultural Museum & Gardens at Johnstown Castle is only 4miles(6km) southwest of town.
To get close to nature Wexford Wildfowl Reserve which is part of the North Slob, is beside Wexford Harbour about 5km (3 miles) east of Wexford Town. Every October Wexford hosts the Wexford Opera Festival. CURRACLOE is a
Blue Flag Beach just eight miles north of Wexford town. Curracloe is great for children with seven miles of sheltered sandy beach backed by sand dunes and forest walks at the Raven Point. There is golf at Wexford Golf Club.
To get to Rosslare take the direct route on the N25.
ROSSLARE:
This popular holiday resort (www.rosslareholidayresort.ie) has facilities for so many activities. There is safe swimming on Rosslare Strand(Blue Flag Beach) and golf at Rosslare or St Helen's Bay Golf Courses.
There are facilities for Tennis, Soccer(Turf or Floodlit All-Weather Soccer pitch), Athletics(Olympic Standard Surface Athletics Track), Bowls, Water Sports, Badminton and Basketball.
Just outside Rosslare on the R736 is Yola Farmstead Folk Park in Togoat. This is a restored 18th Century farmstead and a Heritage & Genealogy Centre.
Continue along the R736 to Tomhaggard turning left onto the R739 and on to Kilmore Quay.
KILMORE QUAY(Blue Flag Marina):
This picturesque village is famous for its thatched cottages and its bustling harbour & marina. The area around the village has a number of fine beaches with miles of sand dunes. Ballyhealy, Seaview and Kilmore Quay are all ideal for swimming. Ballyteigue Burrow nature reserve, within walking distance of the village is the finest protected sand dune system in the South East of Ireland. It also offers a huge sandy beach to enjoy, a short walk from the harbour.
In the harbour there is The Kilmore Quay Maritime Museum aboard the last Irish Lights Vessel which is open during the tourist season. It features model ships and sea antiques, an extensive collection of pictures and a RNLI display covering the history of the local station.
Weather permitting be sure to take a trip out to the wonderful Saltee Islands(www.salteeislands.info). The Saltee Islands are a famous bird sanctuary and home to over 50,000 birds, which include Puffin, Guillemot and the Gannet.
Kilmore Quay is also popular for Fishing - both deep sea and shore fishing, Deep sea diving, Sailing, Wind surfing, Bird watching, Tennis and Cycling.
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KILMORE QUAY-WELLINGTONBRIDGE-THE HOOK PENINSULA-NEW ROSS
From Kilmore Quay follow the signs for The Bannow Drive through Duncormick and around Bannow Bay through Cullenstown and Bannow and on to Wellingtonbridge. The first Norman invasion to Ireland was at Bannow Bay in 1169.
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THE HOOK PENINSULA
The Hook Peninsula is an absolute delight with its rugged coastline and views, lovely beaches and the ruins of old fortresses/castles reflecting its historic past. This route takes you along the east coast of the peninsula to Hook Lighthouse returning along the west coast to New Ross. It really is a lovely drive and it will come as no surprise that this area is popular for family holiday's.
ATTRACTIONS:
Tintern Abbey, Dunmain House, Hook Lighthouse, Duncannon Fort, Ballyhack Castle, Dunbrody Abbey, JFK Memorial Park, Kilmokea Gardens.
ACTIVITIES:
There are some 14 beaches, an Outdoor Adventure Centre, Abbey Par 3 18 Hole Golf Course at Fethard, Horse Riding, Fishing/Sea Angling, Diving, Kite/Wind Surfing, Kayaking and even Sand Sculpting(Duncannon Beach).
BEACHES ON HOOK PENINSULA:
Bannow Bay, Bannow Strand, The Grange Strand, Baginbun Beach, Carnivan Bay, Sandeel Bay, Slade Harbour, Boyce's Bay, Liu na Scooth Beach, Dollar Bay, Booley Bay, Duncannon Blue Flag Beach.
GETTING THERE:
From Wellingtonbridge drive for 4km on the R733 towards Fethard-on-Sea and turn left for Clonmines at the crossroads. Follow the signs for Tintern Abbey.
TINTERN ABBEY:
Founded in 1200 by William Marshall in thanksgiving for being rescued from a shipwreck. He granted over 9,000 acres to the Cistercian Monks from Tintern Major in Wales. The remains of the chancel, chapel, cloister, nave, tower and some of the outhouses can still be seen.
Continue on to Saltmills, Gorteens, Gurtins and follow the coast road through Stonehouse and Dungulph to Poulfor.
DUNMAIN HOUSE:
At Poulfur Bridge, the road connects with the R734. Turn right and drive for 1km. Dunmain House is an impressive slate covered house dating from the 1600’s. The house has been the setting for a number of plays and novels including “Guy Mannering” by Sir Walter Scott. Guided tour from May to September. Return back to Poulfur. Continue on to Fethard on Sea.
FETHARD-ON-SEA:
This pretty seaside village has a lovely sandy beach and an 18 Hole golf course. The sandy Grange Beach is great for walking, wind surfing and kayaking.
BAGINBUN HEAD:
Baginbun is a short distance from Fethard and has a lovely sheltered beach which is ideal for swimming. The name of the area originates from the time of the Norman invasion. The Norman army made their first landing from two boats, Le Bag and Le Bun and the area became known locally as Baginbun. In the early 19th Century during the Napoleonic era, there were fears of a French invasion and Martello Towers were constructed around the coast. The Martello Tower at Baginbun was among the first of these.
Back to Fethard and on to Hook Head.
HOOK LIGHTHOUSE & HERITAGE CENTRE:
Some say the famous phrase "By Hook or by Crook" was coined by Oliver Cromwell when describing how he would capture Waterford City. Crook is on the opposite shore in Co. Waterford.
Hook is the oldest lighthouse in Europe and the second oldest running light house in the world. It was built as a guide to travellers around the treacherous coastline of Wexford and Waterford. Hook Lighthouse is open to visitors and guided tours are provided from 10am to 4pm. There are spectacular views of Hook Head, Slade Harbour, the Saltee Islands and LoftusHall from the viewing platform at the top. There is also a café, craft shop and picnic area. It is also popular with wild life enthusiasts as whales, dolphins and seals visit from time to time and with bird watchers.
Back up the west coast to Duncannon passing Loftus Hall. The mansion was built around 1870 and became a convent around 1917. It was then sold and opened as a hotel around 1983. It is now completely boarded up but it grabs you attention as you pass.
DUNCANNON:
Duncannon is noted for its beautiful Blue Flag Beach and Duncannon Fort. The star shaped fort was used as an observation base during World War II.
Attractions at the fort include a café, craft shop, maritime museum, craft centre and artist studio. Guided tours are also available. The Cockleshell Arts Centre is also located at the Fort.
Duncannon also hosts an annual Sand Sculpting Festival in early August.
On to Ballyhack.
BALLYHACK:
The village dominated by a 15th Century Crusader Castle built around 1450 by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John. There are displays of Knights and Medieval Monks. You can visit the dungeon, murder hole and oratory. Guided Tour endJune-midSept.
The Car Ferry to Passage East in Co. Waterford runs from the harbour.
From here follow the signposts to Dunbrody Abbey which is only about 2 miles away.
DUNBRODY ABBEY:
Founded in 1170 it is one of the finest examples of a Cistercian Monastery in Ireland. Attractions include the Abbey Ruin, the Maze with Pitch & Putt, Craft Shop and Tea Room.
From here it is only 3 miles to John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.
JFK MEMORIAL PARK:
JFK Memorial Park covers 252 hectares (623 acres) and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world, planted in botanical sequence. A road provides access to the summit from where there are panoramic views up to New Ross and south to Waterford. In the Visitor Centre there are exhibitions and an audio visual show. There is also a restaurant and children’s play area.
Close by is the Kennedy ancestral home at Dunganstown which was turned into a museum in 1999.
Continuing on towards New Ross be sure to turn off for Kilmokea Gardens on the Grounds of Kilmokea House.
KILMOKEA GARDENS:
Here in the grounds of Kilmokea House Hotel are 7 acres of formal walled gardens and woodland.
The Pink Tea Cup Café serves lunch from 12 noon and there are plants, organic fare and art & crafts on sale.
On to New Ross.
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NEW ROSS:
The main atractions here are the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship at South Quay and close by The Ross Tapestries.
DUNBRODY EMIGRANT SHIP:
This ship is a reconstruction of a three masted ship built in the 19th Century that brought many emigrants from Ireland to North America during and after the Great Famine.
The 50 minute tour here recreates the emigrants experience. You are issued a ticket as if it were 1849, and you then board the Dunbrody where you will be allocated space and food rations for the voyage ahead. You will encounter actors, playing the role of emigrants in their cramped quarters with their meagre possessions. These emigrants will share their harrowing stories of being forced to emigrate.
You will explore the ship, fitted out exactly as it would be for a voyage.
A member of the crew will tell you the story of other voyages and all about life on board a sailing ship.
This authentic recreation… with it's actors, sound effects and smells, will transport you back in time… leaving a lasting impression!
THE ROS TAPESTRIES:
More or less across the street the other attraction here is The Ros Tapestries. The Ros Tapestries depict events around the Anglo-Norman arrival to the South East of Ireland, specifically the founding of the town of New Ross, Co. Wexford by William Marshall and Isabel de Clare. Started in 1998 the Tapestries were completed over a 10 year period by volunteers from counties Wexford and Kilkenny.
On to Enniscorthy a town with a turbulent history.
ENNISCORTHY: The National 1798 Visitor Centre is on the outskirts of the town. The Centre tells the epic and heroic tale of the 1798 Rebellion and it's aftermath.
Overlooking Enniscorthy is Vinegar Hill the site of a horrific battle during the 1798 Rebellion. North of Enniscorthy on the N11 are the ruin of Ferns Castle. On to Ballymore Open Air Rural Museum. South to Boolavugue and the Father Murphy Centre.
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WEXFORD FOREST TRAILS
Carrigbyrne Hill
Description: 5km trail through a forest of mainly coniferous trees.
Courtown
Description: Originally an old oak woodland. The area is noted for
its variety of wildlife including otters, swans and ducks.
Dunanore
Description: Located 5km from Enniscorthy, this 1km walk is
rich with birdlife, oak and beech, and red squirrel.
J.F.K. Park
Description: 252 hectares with planned walks and over 4,500
species of shrubs from 5 continents.
The Three Rocks Trail
Description: 8km long trail across Fort Mountain and Shelmalier.
Includes magnificent views, historical landmarks and
archaeological sites.
Tintern Abbey Trails
Description: 3km of trail with 200 year old beech and oak trees.
Tranquil woodland where fox, badger, rabbit and
hedgehog can be seen.
Castlebridge
Description: Coastal walks are plentiful in this area. They can
include shore walks and tracks along reclaimed sloblands.
Beaches are sand and shingle based, and cliffs
are formed from clay deposits and rocky outcrops.
Curracloe Nature Trail
Description: A delightful 800 metres nature trail
through seashore and sand dunes.
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