Visit South East Ireland for a holiday in County Wexford

County Wexford - In the far southeast corner of Ireland is this largely undiscovered county of Wexford. The population is a combination of several diverse cultures including Viking, Gaelic, and Norman; in fact it was in Wexford that the Normans landed in 1169. The Vikings founded the county seat, Wexford Town, in the 9th century and their original street plan survives in the narrow covered alleyways that run from the centre of town down to the long quay along the River Slaney. The town has a bloody history, as apart from the Normans, it has been captured by Oliver Cromwell, who killed three quarters of the population, and then suffered from both Irish and British brutalities during the 1798 Rising. These days it is only the smoke from peat fires that hangs over the streets. During late October there is a different atmosphere in Wexford when the world famous Opera Festival takes place, and there are two weeks of events including recitals, three Operas, staged in the Theatre Royal, and lots of fringe events including jazz, blues and traditional Irish music. The organizers take pride in staging seldom-performed works, so this can be something of a connoisseur's treat. However there is no snobbery in the town, as in most of Ireland, where festival goers rub shoulders with the locals in the bars around the town and music goes on well into the night. Wexford is a great place to stay in Ireland and there are a wealth of holiday accommodation to rent - idyllic cottages by the sea, thatched cottages to rent in this pretty corner of Ireland, farm houses for country breaks or cottages for short breaks in Wexford town itself.

Outside of Wexford, on the tidal wetlands, are the winter breeding grounds of thousands of geese and ducks. An area of 4,500-acres was reclaimed from the sea during the famine years and this is the site of the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. During the winter upwards of twenty thousand birds can be seen over-wintering here, and the sight of them all rising into the air at the same time is an experience not to be forgotten. To date over 260 species of bird have been recorded at this reserve. If you want to come on a bird watching holiday in Ireland then staying in Wexford will give you a great chance to see some fabulous bird-life.

Just to the west is the Irish National Heritage Park where a reproduction of a Stone-Age encampment, complete with stone circle, a Celtic lake island stronghold, a Viking shipyard, with longboat, and a Norman castle have been built to give you a run-through of early Irish history. Well signposted paths lead through the park, and guided tours can be taken if you prefer.

North of Wexford, at Enniscorthy, is the 1798 National Visitor Centre, which gives an accurate description of the events and circumstances surrounding the United Irishman's Rising. Briefly, this happened on the back of the revolutionary fever sweeping Europe at the time, and as a result of the suppression of the Catholic religion. Over a six-week period thousands were killed, raped, and maimed all over the country, but it was in the southeast that the worst of the atrocities took place, ending in the rout of the rebels at the Battle of Vinegar Hill, just outside the town. The centre has contemporary accounts and cartoons, animated and static displays, and light and laser effects to enhance the experience.

For more bird watching, head south to the quaint harbour of Kilmore Quay, with its picturesque thatched cottages (some available to rent), and a boat can take you out to the Saltee Islands. During the spring and early summer the Saltee islands are home to a quarter of a million puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes, and gannets, and boat trips are available from Kilmore to take you out and experience the whole thing.

On the estuary of the River Barrow, Wexford's other main river, lies the town of New Ross - a busy fishing port with some unique floating attractions, and a base for exploring the ancestral habitat of the Kennedy family. There are three attractions associated with the American President around the town, the first being moored in the harbour. The Dunbrody Famine Ship is a faithful reproduction of a 19th century threemasted Barque, used as a famine ship. On board you can walk in the footsteps of the millions of famine refugees who left the country in the hope of a better life across the seas. There is a computer database of 2 million individuals who were listed on passenger manifests, and also an audio-visual and interactive display tracing the success stories of some of more influential people including the Kennedy's and Henry Ford amongst others.

The Kennedy Homestead at Dunganstown is on land still owned and worked by members of the family. This was the birthplace of John F Kennedy's great-grandfather, and an audio-visual presentation takes you on a virtual tour of the family's rise from these humble beginnings to the most powerful office in the western world.

The J.F.K. Arboretum is set in 1,000 acres of land with four and a half thousand species of trees and shrubs collected from all round the world. It was opened in 1968 as a permanent memorial to the U.S. President and is a tranquil place for all the family.

The most southerly point in the county is Hook Head. The peninsula has various attractions including the ruins of Dunbrody and Tintern Abbeys, the craggy shell of Slade Castle, and the large star-shaped Tudor fort at Duncannon. At its southern tip is the lighthouse, by far and away the oldest in Ireland, and one of the oldest in the world. Reputedly a 6th century monk, Dubhan, established the first light here, and the modern one sits on top of a 100ft tower, built by Raymond Le Gros in 1172.

Irish tourist information

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