Things to do and see
Our Lady’s Island
Our Lady’s Island is an ancient place of pilgrimage in the south east corner of Ireland in the diocese of Ferns.The history of Our Lady’s Island dates back to pre -christian times and it is believed to have been inhabited by female druids. In 1903 a list of Irish place-names published in Iris- Leabhar na Gaeilge gave the Irish name for Our Lady’s Island as Cluain-na-mBan – ‘the meadow of the women.‘
Throughout Christian history, Our Lady’s Island has remained a very important pilgrimage, more information on Our Lady’s Island can be found at www.ourladysisland.ie.
Johnstown Castle
Johnstown castle gardens and museum is a magnificent 19th Century Victorian Castle surrounded by 50 acres of ornamental grounds. One can amble through the wooded grounds, containing over 200 different kinds of trees and shrubs, or relax by the castle lakeside. The sunken Italian Garden
contains a shaded picnic area where one can sit and watch the peacocks strut by. Other attractions include the ruin of a medieval tower house called Rathlannon Castle and the old farm buildings which house the Irish Agricultural Museum. The Irish Agricultural Museum displays a vast array of artifacts including carts, ploughs, country dressers and súgan chairs. The Great Famine exhibition describes what life was like before, during
and after the famine. Johnstown Castle is Ireland’s leading research centre for soils and the rural environment. Johnstown
Castle has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in order to support the research programme with soil, water, plant, air and microbiological analyses.The laboratories maintain a key interest in the national soil fertility status and are heavily involved in all aspects of soils and crop nutrition.
Kilmore Quay
Kilmore Quay is a beautiful small fishing village near Duncormick in Co. Wexford. With it’s white-washed thatched cottages Kilmore Quay is not only an idyllic tourist spot; it offers amenities such as sailing, diving, cruises to the Saltee Islands and angling. The village holds a seafood festival during the summer with seafood served everyday, live music in the local pubs, and activities such as raft races, and family fun days (pony rides, theatre) on.
The Saltee Islands lie off the coast near Kilmore Quay, and boat trips to these islands are available from the village. The two islands, Great Saltee and Little Saltee, are mainly known for being Ireland’s largest bird santuary with gannets, gulls, puffins, cormorants, razorbills and guillemots living on the islands.
Tacumshin Lake and Windmill
Tacumshin windmill is Ireland’s only original surviving windmill.The windmill was built in 1846, and was used until 1936. It was renovated in the 1950s. The key can be obtained from the nearby shop, “The Millhouse Bar”.
Tacumshin Lake closed naturally in 1972, with a barrier of dunes, The Lake is a favourite with bird watchers. It attracts some rare American waders in Autumn, as well as internationally important concentrations of Bewick’s swans, Brent geese, wigeon, oystercatchers, golden plover and lapwing.
Irish National Heritage Park
Located north of Wexford and near an imposing tower house, the Irish National Heritage Park aims to present a few thousand years of Irish history. The reconstructed buildings, arranged in chronological order in fabulous wood- and wetlands, convey a unique sense of the past. Reconstructed Irish, Viking and Norman buildings from prehistoric to Norman times bring the past to life, using as authentic as possible construction methods and building materials.
Hook Lighthouse
Hook lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in Europe. the light has been maintained on this site for 1,500 years from the first beacon kept alight by ancient monks to the development by Raymond Le Gros in 1245. Before operation was transferred to an automated system in 1996, the lighthouse was manned by 3 keepers. The lighthouse keepers’ houses have been converted to an audio-visual room. Hook Lighthouse offers guided tours of the lighthouse tower. Climb the 115 steps to the walkway at parapet level to feast your senses on the magnificent landscape of Hook peninsula. On your climb to the top your guide will bring you through a series of chambers, introducing you to the fascinating story of Hook Lighthouse, an entrancing audio show retells the story of the monks, the earliest keepers of the light.
After your guided tour, relax and enjoy the sumptuous food in the lighthouse cafe or have a leisurely browse in the craft shop. The former keeper’s houses now play host to visitor facilities, while retaining the elegant facade of their late Victorian build.
The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
The Wexford Slobs are internationally famous for wild geese which spend the winter months here. The first geese came to the Slobs in 1898. These were Greylags from Iceland the common winter goose in Ireland at that time. However, White-fronted Geese from Greenland, first appearing on the Slobs about 1910 building up to several thousand in the mid-1930s, replaced the Greylags. Currently about
10,000 Greenland White-fronted Geese, one-third of the world population, spend the winter on the Wexford Slobs. The Visitor Centre has many interesting exhibitions and an audio-visual show.
Loisín Riding Centre
Located just a 10 minute walk from O’Leary’s Farm, Loisín Riding Centre offers group, private and semi-private lessons with fully qualified instructors. They also offer Children’s Holiday Camps, Children’s Birthday Parties, Beach Rides, Picnic or Pub Rides, Hen Parties and Livery.
St. Helen’s Bay Golf Resort
St. Helens Bay Golf Resort has since 1993 developed into one of Ireland’s foremost golf destinations. With a challenging 18 hole course, panoramic views of the South Wexford Coastline and comfortable on-site accommodations, the visitor is guaranteed an enjoyable golfing experience.
Ballycross Apple Farm
Ballycross Apple Farm is based in Bridgetown Co. Wexford, It has a beautiful stone courtyard, horses heads bowing in and out of their stables, chirping of birds and the wafting smell of home baked waffles, it is a perfect place to enjoy an afternoon with your family.
Ballycross has a very informal atmosphere where people meet and chat and where kids make new friends. Their Waffle Bar is extremely popular and the farm shop is packed with a selection of different varieties of apples and of course our homemade apple juices. They also stock some excellent chutneys and jams and some complimentary items.
Blackwater Open Farm
Visit Blackwater Open Farm where you will find lots to do for the whole family, meet the animals, play in the playground, ride the tractors and enjoy a bite to eat at our cafe.
Facilities include: Many varieties of animals from Llamas to pigmy goats, pot bellied pigs and much more. Indoor and outdoor play area. Indoor and outdoor picnic areas. All weather paths around the farm. Fully wheelchair accessible. Ample coach & car parking. Toilet & baby changing area. The Garden Cafe. Also on site is Blackwater Garden Centre.
Admission Prices
Adults €7.00 , O.A.P. €5.00 , Children (3-15 yrs) €5.00.
Children under 3yrs €2.50, Family Rate: 2 adults + 3 children €25.00 (any additional children €2.50)
http://www.blackwateropenfarm.ie/
Playzone, Wexford Town
Playzone is a purpose built indoor playground for children. It comprises a multi-story play and slide area, divided into sections for all ages. There is no need to pre-book: just arrive, let your kids go, sit down while you relax and or have something to eat or drink from the cafe.
Playzone specializes in Birthday party hosting for parties of all sizes, food drink and sweets are all supplied along with 2 hours of play on our adventure frame.!
Opening Times
10am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
Admission Prices
€5.00 Monday to Thursday
Friday to Sunday admission before 12 is just €5.00.
After 12 admission is €7.50 for over Threes and just €5.00 for under Threes.
ROSSLARE SPORT AND RECREATION CENTRE
053 9132202
Featuring:
WEXFORD’S ONLY BOWLING GREEN
5 Domestic and 4 Championship Lanes. All-Weather surface. Everything you need is provided Woods, Jacks, Mats and shoes.
Price per lane min €20 (up to 4 players) €5 per player (5 to 8 players). Bookings on the hour between 9am and 9pm daily
TENNIS
Floodlit Synthetic grass or tarmac. Tennis rackets balls etc are available. Grass Court €15/hr. Tarmac Court €10/hour
SOCCER
All Weather Pitch – 60×30 meters. Capable of hosting games with up to 9 a-side. The Rosslare All Weather Pitch has a unique Artificial Grass and Rubber surface which is the most modern materials available. Fully lined. The All Weather Pitch is available for rent on the hour for €100 but look out for half price deals. Please note no metal studs are allowed and children must be supervised.
ATHLETICS
Only synthetic rubber athletics facility in the county of Wexford. The 200m, 4 lane track with a 115m 6 lane sprinting straight also has long jump pole vault and high jump facilities. Individuals may use the track for €5. Group bookings available also.
CRAZY GOLF
18 hole mind bender that comes with a health warning a mental health
warning! Designed to drive the most sane completely bonkers!
Clubs and balls available €2 per player per round.
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND
Sand based playground complete with Trampolines and Swings and Climbing frames.
Entry fee €2per child
INDOOR FACILITIES
Basketball, Badminton, Pool table, 5 A Side Soccer
Events
Wexford Races are held throughout the year.
Bannow and Rathangan Annual Agricultural Show, held on the second Thursday in July. With horses, ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, pets corner, driving classes, dog show. Cookery, crafts, flowers, photography, ICA exhibition, fashion show, dressage, sheep dog trials, Inter-Hunt Steeplechase.
Kilmore Seafood Festival - Annual festival in July with live music and dancing (céilí, hip-hop and line!), fun and games for kids, angling competitions, exhibitions, Talent Contest, Water sports, Ceili Mor, arts and crafts, steam engines and, of course, great sea food platter
Wexford Opera Festival is held during the month of October.
Tagoat Steam and Vintage Rally – August Very popular annual event. Usually happens the third Sunday in August. All the usual attractions vintage cars/tractors/motorbikes, fairground, traditional bread/butter making, steam engines and thrashing, dog show and more
Rosslare Harbour Festival - Held annually in August
New Ross Piano Festival, New Ross – held annually in September
For more information on things to do in Wexford, please contact O’Leary’s Farm.