Wexford Introduction
Perched on the banks of the River Slaney, the harbourside town of Wexford is an ideal spot for a romantic holiday or a fun-filled family vacation. Throughout its long history, it's been a Viking town and an Old English settlement, and was a focal point of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Today, Wexford's medieval streets are lined with traditional pubs and shops that sit alongside gleaming shopping centres and state-of-the-art cinemas. Wexford also boasts an internationally recognised art and music scene, historic landmarks and a plethora of natural attractions.
Hotels in Wexford
Travellers seeking upscale accommodations will be glad to learn that there are luxury hotels in Wexford. There are 4-star apartment hotels boasting posh units with 2 or more bedrooms and fully equipped kitchens, as well as family- and business-friendly hotels where you'll find polished bars and restaurants, chic spas, large indoor pools and idyllic gardens. Many hotels also offer fitness facilities and business centres. If you're travelling on a shoestring budget, there are some affordable Wexford hotels that nevertheless provide a comfortable stay, with complimentary amenities like Wi-Fi and parking, daily housekeeping, and coffee or tea in a common area.
Where to stay in Wexford
You'll find that most Wexford hotels are situated in the town centre, within easy reach of historic landmarks as well as old-world pubs and cosmopolitan restaurants. A stroll along the quayside walkway to watch leisure vessels and fishing boats docking at Wexford Port is a pleasant way to while away the hours. If you're looking for accommodation away from the bustling centre but still within walking distance of it, consider a place on Rosslare Road in the southern part of town, where you'll also find a retail park. Lodgings can likewise be found in Ferrybank, a small village in the north that connects to town via the Wexford Bridge.
Things to see in Wexford
Every autumn, the
Wexford Opera House is the centre of attention as it hosts the world-famous Wexford Festival Opera. Designated as Ireland's National Opera House, the state-of-the-art building features horseshoe-shaped balconies that provide an enhanced experience for both performers and theatregoers. There are also elegant bars where you can grab tea and refreshments before a performance or sip on a glass of champagne during intervals. The superb acoustics of the 18th-century
St Iberius Church on Main Street make it another popular venue for concerts. Designed by architect John Roberts, the church building features a Venetian Renaissance exterior while the interior boasts late-Georgian details. A short road trip to the north will bring you to the
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, a bird sanctuary that sits on reclaimed farmland. It's a birdwatcher's paradise especially in winter, when hundreds of birds migrate from Arctic Canada and Greenland, or from Arctic Russia and Scandinavia.
How to get to Wexford
Located approximately an hour's drive away, the regional Waterford Airport is the closest airport to Wexford, while the international airports of Dublin and Cork are about 2.5 hours away. Car hire isn't available directly at Waterford Airport, though there are rental agencies in town that will pick up customers who are flying in. Airport taxis, on the other hand, are plentiful. Travellers coming or going by train on the railway line that runs from Dublin to Rosslare Harbour will board or alight at the Wexford O'Hanrahan station on Redmond Square, which is also served by local bus routes operated by Bus Éireann.
