Two hundred kilometres of beaches, thirty centuries of history, eighteen golf courses, world class stables, friendly people, fine humour, diverse cultural events, pleasant and challenging walks, cycle touring, the National Irish Heritage Centre, extensive genealogical resources, splendid fisheries, rolling green fields and much, much more. Wexford offers you a world of experience in a single county. Wexford is Ireland as you have imagined it. Essie, Jim and their family at Slaney Manor welcome you to their home ground.
The history of this land is long and colourful. Here, early settlers arrived to find virgin forests under friendly skies. They stayed to work the fertile lands along the banks of the regions many rivers, establishing the sort of settlements that you can see today at the Irish National Heritage Park. The region was converted to Christianity by St. Ibar in the 5 th century and in 510 St. Senan visited Templeshannon on the east bank of the river Slaney. The remains of various abbeys and towers constructed from that time on stand as tribute to the determination and industry of these early men of god.
Men with very different gods arrived in the 9th century, Viking warriors. They gave Wexford it's name and stamped their mark on the countryside and it's people. Wexford's turbulent history continued down through the centuries. It was the first Irish town to fall to the Norman invaders in 1169 and Cromwell attacked here in 1649. Each of the invaders added to, and were eventually assimilated into, the culture and countryside that is Wexford today. It's a rich and varied tapestry that we hope you'll enjoy
1798 Commemoration
County Wexford, an area rich in culture and history, has planned a year-long commemoration
of a seminal event in Irish history, the United Irish Rising of 1798.This Web Site details
many of the events, something for everyone.
March 7th - 15th
Wexford Drama
Festival
Dun Mhuire Hall, Wexford
Contact: Victor Martin, Tel: 053 46534
March 14th - 22nd
Enniscorthy Drama
Festival
Winners All Ireland Amateur Drama League, 1996
Contact: Tony Brittan, Tel: 054 35770
April 7th - 12th
Oh!! Susannah!
by Stephen Foster
GOREY MUSICAL SOCIETY PRESENT ‘OH!! SUSANNAH!’ by Stephenn Foster
at Gorey Little Theatre
A musical of the life and times of Stephen Collins Foster.
Contact: Bridget Cooper, Tel: 055 21474
April 19th - 26th
Chess by Tim
Rice
WEXFORD LIGHT OPERA SOCIETY PRESENT CHESS by Tim Rice
Theatre Royal, Wexford, Tel: 053 22400
This very active society has recently celebrated it s 50th anniversary in 1996. They have
won various A.I.M.S. awards in recent years reflecting the high standard of their work.
May 3rd - 5th
Courtown
Fáilte Festival
A festival of music, dance and pageantry.
Contact: Mark Sinnott, Tel: 055 25140
May 3rd - 5th
Wexford Viking
Festival
A family festival for all ages with interesting events in music, heritage, culture and
sport.
Contact: Conor McCormack, Tel: 053 24210
May 24th - 25th
A.I.M.S.
Choral Festival Weekend
New Ross
A weekend of musical activities and choral competitions. A music filled weekend featuring
choral groups from around Ireland and abroad. The high standard competitive singing makes
for a very enjoyable experience.
Contact: Connie Tantrum, Tel: 051 21766
June
Byrne/Ferry
Summer School
Gorey
Internationally recognised historians and well known panellists and chairpersons
contribute to discussions. An informative and stimulating Summer School which includes
lectures, demonstrations, field trips, pageant and cabaret show and a historical
exhibition.
Contact: Rev. Walter Forde, Tel: 055 21117
July
Enniscorthy
Strawberry Fair
Fun, music and craic to celebrate the annual strawberry harvest. Free street
entertainment, numerous exhibitions, music, strawberries and cream and much more.
Celebrate Summer, have a good time and enjoy the fun of the fair.
Contact: Mary O’Neill, Tel: 054 33413
October
Wexford Festival Opera
Campile
Kilmokea Gardens,
Adults only. Admission by prior
arrangement
Admission £3.
Contact Mrs Price Tel: (051) 388109
Coolgreany
Ram House Garden.
Two acres, overflowing with "soft
colours and sweet scents", terraces, lavish planting around a little stream.
Open Easter to Mid Sept., Sat & Sun, 2.30pm - 6pm,
From June to Aug only also open on Fri's, 5pm - 8pm.
Admission £2.50
Contact Mrs Lolo Stevens Tel: (0402) 37238
Curracloe
Nature Trail
A delightful 800 metres nature trail through the seashore sand dunes supported by a informative and colourful 20 page booklet available free of charge from the County Council and other outlets.
Tel: (053) 42211
Killinick
Shortalstown Gardens
80 year old gardens, rare trees and
shrubs.
Admission by prior appointment Adults £2.50. Accompanied children only please.
Helen & Margaret Miller, Tel: (053) 58836
New Ross
John F. Kennedy Park and Arboretum
A plant collection of international standing with 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all regions of the world. Covers 252 hectares and includes Slieve Coillte. Open all year, daily 10am - closing times alter according to month. Adults £2, Child £1,
Contact Mr Christopher Kelly Tel: (051) 388171
Victorian Walled Garden.
Open April to Sept, By appointment Adults £2.
Peter & Irene Roche, Woodville, Tel: (051) 21268
Wexford Town
Heatherset, Rocklands,
Small garden with extensive choice of plants against a backdrop of Mediterranean Pines. Open by appointment only.
Contact Mrs Mary White. Tel: (053) 23026
Johnstown Castle Gardens
Open all year, daily, 9am - 5pm. Adults £1.50, Children & Students 50p, Car £2.50, Coach with over 30 people is £17.00.
Tel: (053) 42888
RIVER
FISHING Wexford's stables provide horse riding facilities suitable for all riders, regardless of age or experience. Trek over farmland, forest and mountain or tackle a cross country course designed to please the more experienced rider. Training courses are available so if you've always imagined yourself on horseback in the glorious Irish countryside contact us and we will help to make your dream come true.
AIRE approved Centres
Duncannon
Hook Trekking Centre,
Open June to September.
Contact Mary Murphy.
Tel: (051) 89166
Duncormick
Blackstone Trekking Centre.
Blackstone,
Open all year.
Contact Rosaleen Cleary.
Tel: (053) 63126
Foulksmills
Horetown Equestrian Centre,
Horetown House,
Open all Year.
Contact David Young.
Tel: (051) 63786 / 63633
Enniscorthy
Boro Hill Equestrian Centre,
Clonroche,
Open all Year.
Contact Betty Maher-Caulfield.
Tel: (053) 44117
Gorey
Laheen Pony Trekking, Laheen
House,
Open all Year (Winter by appointment
only).
Contact Josephine Buttle.
Tel: (055) 28289.
New Ross
Seaview Farm Pony Trekking,
"Seaview", St. Kearns, Saltmills,
Open May to Oct, otherwise by
arrangement.
Contact Kathleen Kinsella.
Tel: (051) 562239.
Taghmon
Ballingale Farm Riding School
Ballingale
Farm Riding School
Open all year.
Contact Valerie Charlton.
Tel: (053) 34387
Wexford Town
Shelmaliere
Riding Stables, Forth Mountain
Open all year.
Contact Catherine Wood.
Tel: (053) 39251.
Wexford contained many hundreds of castles and forts, testament to it's often tempestuous past and to the skill and industriousness of it's citizens. Many are long abandoned and now stand as a reminder of the rousing times that lead to their construction. It's impossible to visit any of them without absorbing the sense of history that they exude. We have listed some of the more noteworthy here.
Ballyhack Castle
Dates from the 16th century. The first two floors have been renovated. The castle houses a number of exhibits, some of which relate to other heritage sites in the area. Open April to June & Sept, Wed to Sun, 12pm - 6pm, July & August, daily, 10am - 6pm.
Contact Sarah Murphy Tel: (051) 89468.
Duncannon Fort
The name, Duncannon, derives from an Iron Age fortification which once occupied the site of the present imposing fort. The current structure dates mostly from the 16th century with modern additions. Restoration work is in progress. Guided tours during the season
Contact Eileen Roche Tel: (051) 89188.
Enniscorthy Castle
An imposing Norman Castle built by the Prendergast Family in the 13th century. See also under Exhibitions
Tel: (054) 35926.
Ferns Castle
An impressive ruin of a Norman fortification, dating from the 13th century. It has had a chequered history and was owned by an Irish family, a bishop and, later, a countess during the 14th century alone! The castle, now in State care, is open to the public and guided tours are available during the summer months.
Johnstown Castle
A much added to early tower house with battlements and ornamental lake, attractive and colourful walks. Gardens only, the Castle is not open to the general public. There are 50 acres of ornamental grounds with over 200 different types of trees and shrub
Lady's Island
The remains of a Norman castle tower that leans at a greater angle than that of the famous Tower of Pisa, Italy.
Rathmacknee
A 5 storey tower castle with typical 15th century battlements and well preserved bawn. The latter has massive walls which are more than 4 feet thick and 25ft high.
Slade Castle
Overlooking the small harbour of Slade near Hook Head. A massive, late 15th century structure.
Wexford Town.
Westgate Tower. A sensitively restored, early 13th century gate tower, part of the Viking / Norman walls of Wexford Town. Open March to Dec, Mon to Sat, 10am - 2pm, 2.30pm - 5.30pm, July & Aug, also open on Sundays, 2pm - 6pm. Groups may be booked in advance for times other than above. Admission Adults £1, Children 50p, Family Tickets £3
Tel: (053) 46506
A number of Martello or Napoleon Towers are to be seen on the coast line, all of which date from the early years of the 19th century
Ballygarrett
Shrule Deer Farm
(On the coast road from Courtown to Kilmuckridge) Red & Silka Deer, other animals. Guided tours available. Open June to Aug, daily; May & Sept, weekends only
Tel: (055) 27277
Carrickbyrne
Woodlands Honey Farm
Vidio show on the life of bees, demonstrations, tasting of honey, Open May to Aug, daily, 2pm - 6pm. Charge £2.50 per person
Tel: (051) 28287
Ferns
Tobergal Farm, Boolavogue,
Educational tours and children's
groups. Open daily during season 10am - 7pm . Admission Adult £1.50, Children £1.
Contact Ms. Anas Heffernan
Tel: (054) 66286.
Gorey
Kia Ora Indoor Mini Farm
Wide range of native and foreign animals. Open June to Aug, daily, 10am to 6pm. Admission Adults £2, Children £1.
Phone (055) 21166
Askamore
Young McDonald's Animal Park.
Varied selection of animals, river
walk, play area, coffee shop. Open Easter - 30th Sept, Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm.
Admission Adults 2, Children £1, Family £7.
Contact Mr Paddy Byrne
Tel: (055) 26312
New Ross
Ballylane Farm
200 acre farm in rolling countryside.
Enterprises include tillage, deer and pheasant, sheep and forestry. One hour tour.
Beginner's orienteering course with specially prepared maps provided as part of the visit.
Open May - Sept, daily, 10am - 6pm. Open to schools & groups all year, by prior
arrangement. Admission, Adults £2.50, Children £1, Family £7 .
Contact: Mr Pat Hickey
Tel: (051) 25666.
Ballymoney 9 hole (055) 21976 Courtown 18 hole (055) 25166 Enniscorthy 18 hole (054) 33191 New Ross 18 hole (051) 21433
Rosslare Golf Club Rosslare Strand, Co. Wexford. 27 hole Tel: 053-32203. Fax: 053-32203. Bar: 053-32113 St.Helen's Bay 18 hole (053) 33669 Wexford 18 hole (053) 42238 PAR 3
Ballymoney Grove 18 hole (055) 25139 Blackwater 18 hole (053) 29199
Borrmount 18 hole (054) 33252 Duncannon 9 hole (051) 389242
Garrylough, Screen 18 hole (053) 37246
Gorey, The Bunker 18 hole (055) 20313
Gorey, Tara Glen 18 hole (055) 25413
Rathaspeck 18 hole (053) 46155
Skarke 18 hole (051) 21483
Vinegar Hill 9 hole (054) 35127
Wellington Bridge 18 hole (051) 561308
Yola Farmstead, Tagoat (On Rosslare Road N25)
The County Genealogical Centre is a member of The Irish Family History Foundation and is approved under the aegis of the Irish Genealogical Project. It offers a research service for Wexford Town and County. Open all year Mon to Fri, 9am - 5pm. July & Aug, Mon to Sat, 9am - 5pm.
Tel: ( 053) 31177
This museum depicting the agriculture and rural life of Ireland has been developed over the past 10 years. There are displays of rural transport, farming and the activities of the farmyard.
The Irish National Heritage Park is situated 4 miles from Wexford town at Ferrycarrig, very close by Slaney Manor. It's a museum built outdoors. Constructed on a 30-acre site overlooking the Slaney, the park has reproductions of sites and buildings which depict the era from man's first settlements in Ireland around 7,000 B.C. to the 12th century Norman period. That's a sweep across almost 9,000 years of Irish history and heritage. Included are full-size replicas of a mesolithic site, a dolmen, cist burial, ogham stone, early Christian site, crannog, a Viking boathouse, a replica of a Norman motte and bailey and a nature trail.
The setting for the County Museum is that of an old Norman Castle, built in the 13th Century. It illustrates the past of the County in all aspects; military, maritime, industrial and agricultural.
Born at Borodale near Wexford in 1871 and died in London in 1936. The Beatty family lived in Slaney Manor when the Earl was a young lad. In 1884 at the age of 13 he joined the Royal Navy and in 1898 had risen to the rank of Commander. Further promotions followed rapidly. He was appointed Captain in 1900, Rear Admiral in 1910 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1919, at 48 the youngest Admiral since Nelson. He was at the same time created an Earl in recognition of his achievements in the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and in the Battle of Scapa Flow during the First World War.
His Grandfather had served under Wellington in the Peninsular War and his father was a well known horseman and master of the Wexford hunt for a long number of years.
His family originally came from North County Wexford. Myles Keogh was commissioned in the Papal Army in 1860 and was decorated for bravery when the Piedmontese attacked the Papal States. He served with the four Irish companies at the siege of Ancona. He was awarded the Papal Medal "PRO PETRI SEDE". On 15th May 1876 he was killed along with General Custer and 264 men at the Battle of Big Horn River in 1876. When the Indian Chief Crazy Horse was eventually captured , he was wearing Major Keogh’s Papal Medal.
Robert McClure was born in Wexford on January 28th 1807.It is for Arctic exploration that Mc Clure is best known - he served on a number of expeditions. He commanded a number of ships, the most notable being Romney and Investigator. The Investigator set sail to find the North West Passage and in 1850 discovered the Prince of Wales Straits.
John Holland taught for a while in CBS Enniscorthy and wanted a career at sea but he had poor eyesight. He went to America and eventually got involved in shipbuilding. He was actively with the Fenians there and in the Late 1880’s formed a company and set about building a submarine. The ship passed all tests and the submarine was built and used by Britain and the USA. John Holland is buried in Tokowa, New Jersey. His final resting place is close to the Ling Museum, an establishment which houses the WW2 submarine USS Ling and various Holland memorabilia. Holland was father of the submarine.
John BarryHe was born at Ballysampson a short distance from Wexford town where his father had a small holding. In 1759 Barry went to sea with an uncle who was master of a local vessel.John Barry was the first commissioned officer to capture a ship under the authority of the American Congress. Barry was involved in may exploits against the British forces in America and was appointed Commander in Chief of All - American Naval Forces by George Washington effective from June 4th 1794.
View a large version of the Document written to congress by George Washington recommending Barry be given command of the first ship built for the new US Navy by clicking on the small image above.
Danby exhibited in London at the Royal Academy in 1829. He had previously been elected to the Royal Academy in 1825. After problems in London he went to Geneva where he seems to have had mixed fortunes, returning to London twelve years later. He died at Exmouth in 1861. His two sons were also well known artists in their day.
Patrick Kennedy left his home and family in County Wexford during the famine in 1845 and sailed to the U.S.A. He served as the US ambasador to the UK from 1938-40. His great-grandson J.F.Kennedy was elected President in 1961 and was assassinated on 22 November 1963.
Another Wexford family emigrated to America at the same time and their son William became "Buffalo Bill" they were the Coda’s of Barrack Street, Wexford.
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