A-Z of Attractions in Wexford

. Ballyhack Castle Ballyhack, Co. Wexford. Tel. 051-389468.    Situated on a steep slope overlooking Waterford estuary. The Castle, a large tower    house, is thought to have been built in 1450 by the Knights Hospitallers of Saint    John, one of the two great military orders founded at the beginning of the 12th    century at the time of the crusades.

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. . Ballymore Historic Features Ballymore, Camolin, Co. Wexford.    Family museum, picture gallery, farm display and 1798 exhibition with tearoom and walk about among    heritage features. Open daily from Whit weekend to mid-September (except Mondays and Fridays).    Open Saturdays by appointment.

. . Fr. Murphy Visitor Centre Boolavogue, Ferns, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.    18th Century farmyard and thatched dwelling house restored to its original    state complete with period furnishings. Exhibitions houses include; farm    implements, stories and folklore and picture gallery.    Mature gardens with scenic views. Picnic area and guided tours available.    Craft and coffee shop on site. Open daily from April to October 10am-5pm    and Sundays from 11:00am-5:00pm.

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. Craanford Mills Craanford, Gorey, Co. Wexford.   The Lyons Family have lovingly restored this 17th century water mill to full   working order. Enjoy a very personal guide by the proprietors, and savour their   home-made produce in the Kiln Loft. Signposted on the main Rosslare-Dublin   (N11) road at Camolin. Open: Easter to September, 11:00am-6:00pm. .

. Dunbrody Abbey & Visitor Centre Arthurstown, Co. Wexford.    Dunbrody Abbey is a 12th century Cistercian Monastery. On the site is    a full size hedge maze, pitch and putt course, craft gallery and    tearooms. Plants on sale throughout the summer.

. . Dunbrody Ship New Ross, Co. Wexford.   The Dunbrody, a full scale reproduction of a 19th century famine ship, is an authentic   replica of the three masted Barque built in Quebec in 1845. Board the Dunbrody and   walk in the footsteps of famine emigrants on their journey of hope across the Atlantic   Ocean. A computer database of ships passengers lists, records over 2 million individual   passengers. Audio visual and interactive displays trace the amazing success stories of   the Kennedy's, Henry Ford and Commodore Barry among others.

. . Duncannon Fort Duncannon, Co. Wexford.    Duncannon Military Fort is a star shaped fortress built on a strategically    important promontory in Waterford Harbour. It was built in 1588 in expectation    of an attack by the Spanish Armada.    The Fort is noted for its dry moat and the legend of the Croppy Boy.    Open from April to October.

. Enniscorthy Cathedral
   Wexford boasts many excellent specimens of the work of the distinguished architect Augustus Welby
   Pugin. Famous for his work in the British Houses of Parliament, he designed St. Aidan's Cathedral in
   1839, he also designed a smaller replica of the Cathedral in Edermine for the Power (Whiskey) family in
   Enniscorthy and St. Michael's Church in Gorey. Guided tours available.

Fethard Castle    One of six Episcopal Manors in the Diocese of Ferns. A fifteenth century castle built on   the remains of a much earlier site. Following the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland   in 1169, the district in which Fethard is situated was granted to a knight named Harvey   de Montmorency. He, in turn, granted it to Christ Church, Canterbury, England.   In 1200A.D. Canterbury ordered the construction of a castle at Fethard and a court to   the north of the church.

. . Ferns Castle and Environs Ferns, Co. Wexford    Constructed in the early 13th century, this Norman Castle was built as a strategic military point.    Ferns itself, is steeped in history from the time of St. Aiden, to the Norman invasion and as an integral    part of the 1798 rising. Dermot McMurrough, High King of Leinster is buried in Ferns. . . Forest Park Leisure Centre Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co. Wexford.    This is the latest attraction to County Wexford, this leisure centre has 3 swimming pools, a 25m pool,    kiddies pool, toddlers pool and also boosts a 65m waterslide. The complex also has a Jacuzzi, gym,    sauna, steam room and more to come as phase two will soon be under construction. . . Galley River Cruises Bridge Quay, New Ross, Co. Wexford.    The unique Galley Cruising Restaurants offer wonderful scenic trips along the Barrow, Nore and Suir    (known as the three sisters rivers). Breathtaking scenery as you meander down the river path,    observing the native flora and fauna of a busy river system as you go. Morning coffee, lunch, afternoon

tea and dinner cruises available. . . Guillemot Maritime Museum Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford.    This Maritime Museum is housed on board the lightship Guillemot. There are two    museums in one, as the lightship is the last Irish Lights vessel, complete with all    its cabins, original furniture and fittings. Below deck is an extensive collection of    maritime pictures and nautical antiques. .

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Hook Lighthouse Hook Head, Fethard-on-Sea, Co. Wexford.    Visit one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world. Discover the    wonders of the medieval tower of Hook; hear the legends of Dubhán, the 6th    century Welsh monk who is reputed to have established the first light on Hook    Head. Wild and elemental; tranquil and scenic, enjoy the facilities in the former    keepers house, which includes a first class cafe and craft shop.  .

Irish Agricultural Museum - Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford.    Started in 1975 as a national museum of Irish agriculture and rural life.    Open year-round and all    indoors. Specialist areas include; farm transport, sugar beet, rural crafts, the Great Famine 1845-47,    country furniture, dairying, the Ferguson system and the Philip Pierce & Co. catalogue archive.    Open daily 9.00a.m. - 5.00p.m. and weekends (April-November) 11.00a.m. - 5.00p.m.

. . Irish National Heritage Park Ferrycarrig, Wexford.    One visit and 9,000 years of Irish history told in a fascinating setting of    woodland, riverbank, and native Irish dwellings. Discover how the    Celtic, Norman and Viking settlers left their mark on the countryside.    After this tour through time, enjoy the traditional home cooked food    and Irish specialties of the Fulacht Fiadh restaurant.    Open daily: March-Nov. 9:30am-6:30pm. Last admission 5:00pm.    Audiovisual presentation and guided tours available.

	John F. Kennedy Arboretum New Ross, Co. Wexford.   Located south of New Ross, off the R733, this visitor centre and arboretum is   open all year round to the public. The arboretum was formally opened in 1968 and   is dedicated to the memory of John. F. Kennedy (President of the United States   1961-1963). Kennedy has strong family ties in New Ross, visiting the area during
the last days of his presidency in 1963. Picnic area, cafe and gift shop (seasonal), miniature railway    (seasonal) and visitor centre available. .

. JFK Homestead Dunganstown, New Ross, Co. Wexford.    Birthplace of the late John F. Kennedy's great-grandfather.    An audiovisual presentation and guided tour takes the visitor through the family history    and historical setting of the Kennedy legacy. Gift shop in the centre.    Open June, July and August: 10:00am-5:30pm; May & September: 11:30am-4:30pm;

Johnstown Castle   Once owned by the Grogan family who were the biggest untitled landowners   in Ireland. It was donated to the state after the death of the last resident   Lady M. Fitzgerald in 1942 on condition that it be used for agricultural   education and research.  The castle itself, a gothic revival style mansion is   not open to the public but the wonderful 50 acre gardens are. Also in the   grounds is the Irish Agricultural Museum.

. Kilmokea Country Manor and Gardens Great Island, Campile, Co. Wexford.    Build on seven acres, Kilmokea is one of the great gardens of Ireland and has    a craft shop with plants for sale. The garden is a delight to both the keen    amateur and the more serious horticulturist.

National 1798 Visitor Centre Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford.    The National 1798 Centre, Ireland's most modern visitor attraction, tells the story of the 1798    rebellion using the latest technology. Suitable for all the family. Excellent craft shop and    cafe. Ample car and coach parking.

. Our Lady's Island    Famous location for pilgrimage and adoration. Located in South Wexford, between Rosslare and Kilmore    Quay. Designated area of international importance for its wildlife. Tacumshane Lake and Tacumshane    Windmill are nearby. .

Tintern Abbey Saltmills, Co. Wexford.   Named after Tintern in Wales, this is a Cistercian Abbey founded by William the   Earl of Marshall.   It dates back to c.1200 and visitors can see the remains of the nave, chancel,   tower, chapel and cloister. Many beautiful walkways and paths surround the   Abbey.

. . Wexford County Museum Castle Hill, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.    13th century Norman castle, built by the Prendergast family, and opened to the public    in 1962. The museum houses artefacts from all walks of early Wexford and Irish    community life; military, maritime, agricultural and ecclesiastical.     Open daily, Mar. - Sept. 10am - 6pm, Check with museum for low season schedule.

. . Wexford Wildlife Reserve    Wexford is widely known as the best county in Ireland for bird watching.    This is a well-equipped visitor centre and has many exhibitions and an informative    audio visual show.    The park is sign posted just outside Wexford town on the R741 between    Ferrybank and Castlebridge.

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. Yola Farmstead Folk Park Tagoat, Rosslare, Co. Wexford.   This 18th century themed farmstead is located between Wexford town and   Rosslare Europort. Featuring a restored farm house, forge, school house, working   mill, thatched cottage, mini-farm, play area, aviary and craft shop.   Open May-October, 9:30am-5:00pm; During March, April and Nov Monday-Friday   9:30am-4:30pm. .