Self Catering Accommodation Guide to Wexford Town Centre, Co. Wexford, Ireland

About Wexford Town Centre

Wexford town is located in County Wexford on the south-east coast of Ireland.  It is only a 20 minute drive from Rosslare Harbour for any of you getting the ferry!  Wexford was called Veisafjorðr when the Vikings discovered it in about 800AD.  Veisa means a stagnant pool.  The gaelic/Irish word for Wexford is Loch Garman.  The Slaney river runs through the town from the Wicklow Mountains until it enters St. George's Channel in the Irish Sea.  The town itself runs along the quays.  The main street practically runs parallel to the river and is about a mile long.  A modern bridge which connects the town with the north of the county is one of the longest bridges ever made in Ireland and is 480 metres in length.

Things to do in Wexford town

Wexford Arts Centre

Wexford Arts Centre is located in the centre of Wexford town.  It is open Mon-Sat 10am until 6pm.  There are concerts and events all year round and there is plenty to choose from.    They include:

• solo singers
• bands
• plays
• comedies
• meeting film makers and so on.

Wexford Opera House

The Opera House was once called the Theatre Royal.  It was demolished in 2006 and was replaced by the new opera house.  It is home to the annual Wexford Opera Festival which takes place every October and November.  It can seat 176 people in the Jerome Hynes Theatre, and 771 in the O'Reilly Theatre.  The opera house was officially opened on the 5th of September 2008 in the O'Reilly Theatre by the Irish Television chat show - the Late Late Show and was hosted by Pat Kenny.

Irish National Heritage Park

This Heritage Park is located only 3 miles from Wexford town.  There are 35 acres of heritage trail and you will need about an hour and a half to explore this wonderful place of heritage.  It goes through 9,000 years of Irish History.  It is open all year round 9.30am-6.30pm.  Email [email protected] or telephone +353 53 9120733.

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is also only 3 miles away from Wexford town.  It is jointly owned by BirdWatch Ireland (BWI) and the National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS).  There are about 936 hectares of marsh land.  It is one of Ireland's most amazing bird sites where birds, in particular waders and wildfowl, feel safe to feed, loaf, roost and breed before migrating into or out of Ireland.  It is a flat landscape situated on the coast, and in sight of the south-east corner of Ireland and is the closest point to Britain and the continent.  Habitats include wet grassland and tillage, a brackish-water drainage channel and reed beds.  Pools have been created to attract passage waders and wildfowl.

Irish Agricultural Museum and The Castle Gardens

The Irish Agricultual Museum is on the grounds of the Johnstown Castle Estate and is 4 miles from Wexford town.  The Castle itself is not open to the public but you can stroll the grounds of the estate where you will find wooded grounds with 200 different trees and shrubs, 2 lakes with swans and grebes, gardens with gorgeous flowers and plants, and a picnic area where you can sit and watch the colourful peacocks pass by.  There is also a ruins of a medieval tower called Rathlannon Castle and the old farm buildings which house the Irish Agricultural Museum.  The gardens are open all year round from 9am until 5.30pm.

The Agricultural Museum is open all year round also and these are the opening times:

April - November
Monday - Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays: 11am- 5pm
December -March
Monday - Friday 9am- 5pm
Closed for lunch 12.30- 1.30pm
Closed Weekends & Bank Holidays

Selskar Abbey

Selskar Abbey is located in Wexford town.  It is one of a few of the many ancient parishies which is still standing.  Henry II is said to have done penance here for the murder of Thomas Beckett.  The ruins are very attractive and there are some interesting old graveslabs in the grounds.  It is part of the Twin Churches which dominate the town's skyline.

Things to do within driving distance

There are many other activities to do and are not too far from Wexford town.

• Pitch and Putt
• Driving Ranges
• Water Activities
• Golf Courses
• Equestrian
• Sailing
• Angling and Fishing

Restaurants in Wexford Town

There is a wide range of restaurants in Wexford Town.  Here are a few options:

• Amalfi Coast +353 53 9124330
• Fordes Restaurant +353 53 9123832
• Heavens Above Restaurant +353 53 9124877
• Restaurant Newbay +353 53 9142779

For a complete resource for reviews of Waterford Restaurants, please visit www.menupages.ie

Cinema in Wexford Town

There is a new cinema called Wexford Ciniplex just outside Wexford Town on the Rosslare Road.  It is the first digital cinema in Ireland with 8 screens.
Booking Number 0818 221 122
Email [email protected]

Beaches in Wexford

There are many beaches in County Wexford.  Wexford is said to have the most hours of sunshine in Ireland so this is excellent especially for you beach lovers!  Wexford has four blue flag awards, proving that the water's purity.  Here are a few examples of beaches in Wexford and are all within driving distance for Wexford town:

• Curracloe Beach
• Duncannon Beach
• Rosslare Strand