Top attractions in Wexford like Hook Lighthouse, Kennedy Homestead, and Our lady’s Island are great for people into historical sites. For family vacations, Wells House & Gardens and Secret Valley Wildlife Park are excellent choices. If you are Solo, Curracloe Beach is the perfect destination.
Wexford, or ‘Ireland’s sunny southeast,’ was founded by Vikings around AD 800. It’s a small town with stunning sceneries and rich Irish history, making it an impressive attraction town.
Ireland’s sunny southeast is an excellent spot if you are a day-tripper, tourist, or a family going on vacation. If you want to escape the concrete jungle and spend time on beautiful coastlines or historic sites, Wexford is an excellent choice.
This article will give you a list of the top attractions to visit in Wexford. You will get to know why they are the top attractions, their location, the activities they provide, and their price list.
1. The Hook Lighthouse
Website: The Hook Lighthouse
The Hook Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on earth still operating today. Take a 40-minute drive from Wexford town towards the far Southwest of Wexford County to find this gem. The hook lighthouse offers 45-minute guided tours all year round, where you learn its history.
You and your kids will enjoy this four-storey structure due to the amazing views surrounding it.
Climb 115 steps to get to the balcony for gorgeous views. For a better view, carry binoculars to soak in distant sights, including humpbacks or dolphins. You will also visit a gift shop, café, and the lighthouse’s keeper’s home.
How much they charge:
- Kids Under 5 years: Free
- Kids aged 5-16 years: 6.00€
- Adults: 10.00€
- Family (2 kids & 2 adults): 28€
2. Irish Park National Heritage
Official website: The Irish National Heritage Park, Wexford
The Irish Park National Heritage is an open-air museum with replicas from Irish history like dolmens and Christian monasteries. This Park has 40 acres of uplands, woodlands, estuaries, and wetlands. You will find it along the N11 road to Dublin, 5km northwest of Wexford town, near Ferrycarrig.
You can take a guided tour to learn about 9000 years of Irish history in the Irish Park. The Park offers plenty of activities for both adults and kids. Children aged 5-13 can participate in activities like:
- Planning for gold
- Designing rock art
- Creating houses
As for older children and adults, there are activities like:
- Learning skills such as masonry and carving.
- Participating in themed events like music entertainment.
How much they charge:
- Children under 4 years: Free
- Children aged 5 and 16 years: €6.00
- Adult: €11.00
- Family (2 adults + 1 child): €25.00
- Family (2 adults + 3 kids under 18 years): €30.00
- Student (17+ years of age): €9.00
- Senior Citizen: €9.00
3. Curracloe Beach
Official website: No Website
The Blue flag-rated Curracloe beach is a great tourist attraction due to its soft white sand, and gentle surfs. Hilly dunes with plenty of plants that bloom in summer and spring also supplement the beach.
Your family can flock on this 11 km coastline on sunny days. Curracloe offers a lot of activities for families and solo tourists such as:
- Swimming – the beach is safe for you to swim in.
- Walking on nature trails – if you like adventure, you can follow trails that lead you to beautiful sceneries.
- Surfing – you’ll find people offering surfing lessons if you want to learn.
If you want to lay on soft white sand or swim, you can get to Curracloe Beach by:
- Walking through the dunes of raven Nature Reserve and pine forests
- Cycling from Wexford town through a cycle route, or,
- Taking a bus from Wexford town
After a long day at the beach, stay at one of our luxurious holiday homes called The Fay House (three-bedroomed located in the Faythe, Wexford area).
How much they charge: It’s free.
4. Our Lady’s Island
Official Website: No website
Lady’s Island Lake encloses Our Lady’s Island. Our Lady’s Island has a rich history of pilgrimage dating back to the 6th century. You will find pre-Christian settlement remains such as clay mounds with burnt ashes and bones. The Island signifies the arrival of Christians in Ireland.
If you are looking for a spiritual site in Wexford that offers a lot of history, Our Lady’s Island is an excellent choice. However, it is suited for adults since kids can get bored. You can also engage in other activities such as:
- Walking along the 2km pilgrim path
- Visiting the Church of the Assumption and St. Catherine’s in Tacumshane
- Visiting the graveyard where garlic bloom
- Watching birds
How much they charge: It’s free.
5. Colclough Walled Garden
Official Website: Colclough Walled Garden
The Colclough walled garden neighbours the Tintern Abbey. It is one hectare large with two sections including;
- East section- The east has decoratively coloured borders with flowerbeds (diamond-shaped) and formal lawns.
- West section- The west has a kitchen garden that grows vegetables and herbs.
The Colclough Walled Garden dates back to the early 1800s when Colclough Baronets planted it in a green vale.
The 200-year-old walled garden gives you a piece of heaven on earth with its beautifully shaped flowerbeds. It is an excellent place for both adults and children to take in the serenity.
How much they charge:
- Children under 14 years: Free
- Adults: €5.00
- Senior Citizens, Students and Groups of 10+: €3.00
- Note: Large groups and coaches should call in advance
6. Seal Rescue Ireland
Official Website: Seal Rescue Ireland
In the heart of Courtown harbour, behind Courtown Adventure and Leisure Centre, you’ll find Seal Rescue Ireland. The Seal Rescue Ireland rescues and rehabilitates orphaned, sick, or injured seals. Volunteers run this non-profit organisation throughout the year from 10 am to 5 pm.
The Seal Rescue Ireland is a great place to take your kids. Over 80 seals are rehabilitated every year in this facility. You take part in different activities such as;
- The Seal Feed & Enrichment Experience. It is a program that allows you to see seal pups closely.
- Rehabilitation of seals- You get to see when volunteers release back into the ocean.
- Seal education– You will get to know the behaviour, diet, and natural habitat of seals.
How much they charge:
- ‘Seal Feed & Enrichment’ Experience
€20 per person
You receive €5 off a seal adoption(s) of your choice for participating.
- Virtual Seal Rescue Ireland Experience
Children 0-2: Free
Children 3-12: €8
Adults 13+: €12
7. Wells House and Gardens
Official Website: Wells House and Gardens
Wells House and Gardens have gothic and Tudor revival designs from the 1830s. The Victorian gothic country house museum is located 7 km outside of Kilmuckridge, County Wexford. It is rated the best place to visit as a family in Ireland.
Wells House and Gardens will offer you plenty of activities to choose from, including:
- Shop Crafts. Wells House and Gardens has a craft courtyard where you shop beautiful craft products.
- Tour the house. You learn about the Wells House and Gardens 400-year history with the help of a guide.
- Explore the gardens. You get to explore the gardens made by Daniel Robertson while relaxing and playing.
- Visit the animal farm. Your kids meet adorable animals like lover birds, the leopard tortoise, domestic rabbits, etc.
- Take your kids to the adventure playground. Wells House and Gardens have the best playground with swings, slides, and ropes for your kids to have fun.
- Walk in the enchanted woodlands. You take a walk in the beautiful woodlands and discover Gruffalos hidden within trees.
How much they charge:
- Children under 2: FREE
- Child: €5
- Concessions (Seniors/Students): €7
- Adult: €9
- Family: (2 Adults, up to 3 Children) €24
8. Secret Valley Wildlife Park and Zoo
Official Website: The Secret Valley Wildlife Park and Zoo
Secret Valley Wildlife Park & Zoo is an award-winning 14-acre licensed zoo. It is located in the southeast of Ireland, one and half hours from Dublin, close to Carlow, Waterford, and Wexford town. The zoo is famous for its variety of animals, including lizards, guinea pigs, and insects.
The Secret Valley Wildlife Park & Zoo offers plenty of activities supervised by friendly, trained staff. These activities include:
- Join keeper talks. The keeper talks help you know more about Capuchin monkeys, Meerkats, Lemurs, and Porcupines.
- Watch animals play. You get to engage with animals like Asian small-clawed, Llamas, and Alpacas.
- Take kids to play. The Park has a large indoor play area where kids can play and explore.
- Go to the Valley Café. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and lunch in the Valley Café.
- Engage with animals. Kids learn how to ride ponies, feed goats and engage with animals in the zoo houses.
How much they charge:
- Children under 2 -free
- Child -€9.
- Adult -€10
9. Kennedy Homestead
Official Website: The Kennedy Homestead
The Kennedy Homestead is a farm with a design that takes you back to 1848. You get to go through the Interpretative exhibit, where you learn why Patrick Kennedy got out of Ireland in 1848. You also get to see his life through audio-visual features and memorabilia.
The farm is where John F. Kennedy’s great-granddad (Patrick Kennedy) was born. Patrick’s generation still lives there today. You will get to know five Kennedy generations, including the ones that left and stayed.
The Kennedy Homestead is an excellent choice if you love history and want to get an insight into the lives of different Kennedy generations.
How much the charge:
- Child/Student €6.00
- Adult: €8.00
- OAP(Old Age Pensioner): €7.00
- Family (2 Adult 3 Child under 12): €25
10. Wexford Festival Opera
Official site: Wexford Festival Opera
Wexford Festival Opera is one of the leading opera festivals held in High Street, Ferrybank South. It is held at the end of October for over 17 days incorporating more than 300 events. The Opera exposes you to neglected works, new artists, and forgotten pieces of art.
The Opera is held on the High Street of Wexford, attracting thousands of people. You will get to experience a range of events, including:
- Cabaret, dance, visual arts, comedy, circus, film, puppetry, and music
- Classical concerts
- Fringe events
How much they charge:
- The price ranges from €25 – €150 depending on where you sit.
Book your holiday home with Relax Ireland today!
Wexford is Ireland’s sunny southside with various attraction sites.
You can go to Kennedy Homestead to learn about their five generations.
Or, visit the blue flag-rated Curracloe beach with soft white sands and gentle surfs.
If you are on a family vacation, Wells House and Garden has many activities for your family; house tours, gardens, adventure playground, etc.
While touring Wexford, you need a vacation home waiting after a long day. Relax Ireland offers the best holiday homes in Spain and Ireland. We have over 500 beautiful properties available for you. Visit our website to book your self-catering house and have fun with friends or family.
