Located in the southeast corner of Ireland, County Wexford is an area that boasts a rich history, so it should come as no surprise to learn that it possesses many significant historical sites waiting to be explored.
If you’re visiting Wexford, not only will you have a chance to enjoy golden beaches and delicious strawberries in Ireland’s sunniest county, but you will also have ample opportunity to immerse yourself in Irish history.
Whether it’s ancient lighthouses and medieval abbeys or Viking settlements and beautiful aristocratic castles and gardens that you’re interested in, Wexford has it all and more.
In this article, we will list what we believe to be the top five best historical sites in County Wexford.
5. Hook Lighthouse – one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Hook Lighthouse can proudly claim to be one of the oldest lighthouses in the world that can currently still claim to be in operation. It was constructed in the early 13th century by the renowned William Marshal, a highly influential figure in both Irish and British history.
For those wishing to explore Hook Lighthouse, guided tours are offered, and a café is on-site, allowing you to grab a bite to eat while taking in the stunning sea views.
Address: Churchtown, Hook Head, Co. Wexford, Ireland
4. Johnstown Castle – offers a glimpse into 19th-century Irish aristocratic life
Credit: Rona Kelly (Flickr)
Johnstown Castle and Gardens is a stunning estate located on many acres of beautiful greenery just outside Wexford town.
Through the centuries, it has undergone many transformations, such as evolving from a family home to a farm and eventually becoming a research centre.
Today, in addition to its beautiful grounds to explore, tours of the castle are available, and there is also an excellent museum on site dedicated to the history of Irish agriculture.
Address: Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens, Co. Wexford, Y35 HP22, Ireland
3. Ferns Castle – an impressive ancient castle
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Ferns Castle, located in the village of the same name, is an Anglo-Norman castle that dates back to the early 13th century. Besides having a rich history, Ferns Castle is also famous for its majestic, vaulted ceiling, which is widely considered to be one of the best of its kind in Ireland.
While only half of the castle remains today, an excellent visitor centre is located on-site, containing a wealth of information as well as the famous Ferns Tapestry.
Address: The Square, Ferns, Co. Wexford, Y21 D892
2. Tintern Abbey – an ancient abbey
Tintern Abbey was once a famous Cistercian abbey, first founded on the Hook Peninsula around 1200.
Today, Tintern Abbey remains open to visitors, whether they have an interest in Irish monastic history or simply wish to explore some of the beautiful Irish woodland walks.
Tintern Abbey is also comprised of a chancel, nave, chapel, tower, and cloister, with tours often available for those wishing to get an in-depth look at its ancient interior.
Address: Saltmills, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland
1. Irish National Heritage Park – take a journey through 9,000 years of Irish history
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At the top of our list of what we believe to be the top five best historical sites in County Wexford is the Irish National Heritage Park, which offers visitors the stunning opportunity to take a journey through time all the way back to prehistoric Ireland.
Over 9,000 years of history can be experienced across the 40 acres of Marshland that The Irish National Heritage Park has to offer, as it contains a multitude of reconstructed crannogs, ring forts, and Viking houses, to name a few, all of which have been accurately recreated with painstaking detail.
The Irish National Heritage Park is widely regarded as one of the best attractions that Ireland’s Ancient East has to offer. Besides its sixteen expertly recreated historic sites, it also possesses the first-ever fortification to be built by the Anglo-Normans in Ireland.
Address: Ferrycarrig, Co. Wexford, Ireland
That concludes our list of what we believe to be the top five best historical sites in County Wexford. Have you visited any of them yet, and if so, how was your experience?
