Dunbrody Abbey – founded by the Cistercian monks in
1210AD, this is one of the largest abbeys in Ireland. There is
a small museum on site containing information on the abbey and
surrounding areas. There is also a maze in the beautiful landscaped
gardens.
Duncannon Fort – situated in Duncannon in the south
west of the county, Duncannon Fort was built in 1588 to secure
Wexford Harbour against the threat of the Spanish Armada. Such
was the strategic importance of this star-shaped fort that Napoleon
Bonaparte himself intimately knew its layout.
Enniscorthy Castle – located in Enniscorthy Town,
this is an imposing Norman castle, which was built by the Prendergast
family in the 13th century. Today, the castle houses the County
Museum, which features a range of Norman artifacts and other pieces
from the 1798 and 1916 risings.
Ferns Village – lying to the south of Gorey, Ferns
is now a quiet village but it was once a place of great importance.
St Maodhog founded a monastery here in the year 598, while in
the early Christian period, some 30 churches and several important
monastic sites were established here. The Kings of Leinster made
it their base and the ruins of the castle built in the early decades
of the 13th century, can still be seen today.
Hook Head Lighthouse
Hook Head Lighthouse – situated on the Hook Head peninsula,
just south of Rosslare, this is the oldest lighthouse in Europe.
Folklore has it that local monks had a warning beacon here from
as early as the 5th century and the Vikings were so grateful for
their safe passage, that they left them alone. The Normans subsequently
built a lighthouse here, while an interesting visitor centre recounts
its long history.
Irish National Heritage Park – situated two miles
from Ferrycarrig, this 35-acre amenity offers a sample of Irish
heritage stretching back over nine thousand years. It is a virtual
open-air museum and features replicated homesteads, graves and
ring-forts. Other interesting features include a crannog (small
wooden dwelling built in the centre of a lake), a Celtic farmstead
and a Viking house.
John F. Kennedy Arboretum – situated in the village
of Dunganstown, just south of New Ross, this centre tells the
story of the Kennedy clan’s association with the region.
This was the birthplace of Patrick Kennedy, grandfather of the
American president. JFK made an emotional return to his roots
during his visit to Ireland in 1963.
Johnstown Castle
Johnstown Castle & Irish
Agricultural Museum – a fine example of 19th century
architecture and though the house is not open to the public, the
grounds, with lakes, medieval ruins and walled gardens are well
worth inspection. The Irish Agricultural Museum & Famine Exhibition
is also located in the grounds and provides a fascinating insight
into Ireland’s past.
Wexford Wildlife Reserve – situated just two miles
north of Wexford Town on an area reclaimed from the sea, this
is the winter home of about half the world’s population of
white-fronted geese, with approximately 10,000 of them flying
here from Greenland each year. The reserve of course, protects
many other species of birds during the course of the year.
