Vacation Guide

Ireland golf vacation guide : To do and see

WEXFORD

Dunbrody Abbey – founded by the Cistercian monks in 1210AD, this is one of the largest abbeys in Ireland. There is a small museum on site containing information on the abbey and surrounding areas. There is also a maze in the beautiful landscaped gardens.

Duncannon Fort – situated in Duncannon in the south west of the county, Duncannon Fort was built in 1588 to secure Wexford Harbour against the threat of the Spanish Armada. Such was the strategic importance of this star-shaped fort that Napoleon Bonaparte himself intimately knew its layout.

Enniscorthy Castle – located in Enniscorthy Town, this is an imposing Norman castle, which was built by the Prendergast family in the 13th century. Today, the castle houses the County Museum, which features a range of Norman artifacts and other pieces from the 1798 and 1916 risings.

Ferns Village – lying to the south of Gorey, Ferns is now a quiet village but it was once a place of great importance. St Maodhog founded a monastery here in the year 598, while in the early Christian period, some 30 churches and several important monastic sites were established here. The Kings of Leinster made it their base and the ruins of the castle built in the early decades of the 13th century, can still be seen today.

Hook Head Lighthouse – situated on the Hook Head peninsula, just south of Rosslare, this is the oldest lighthouse in Europe. Folklore has it that local monks had a warning beacon here from as early as the 5th century and the Vikings were so grateful for their safe passage, that they left them alone. The Normans subsequently built a lighthouse here, while an interesting visitor centre recounts its long history.

Irish National Heritage Park – situated two miles from Ferrycarrig, this 35-acre amenity offers a sample of Irish heritage stretching back over nine thousand years. It is a virtual open-air museum and features replicated homesteads, graves and ring-forts. Other interesting features include a crannog (small wooden dwelling built in the centre of a lake), a Celtic farmstead and a Viking house.

John F. Kennedy Arboretum – situated in the village of Dunganstown, just south of New Ross, this centre tells the story of the Kennedy clan’s association with the region. This was the birthplace of Patrick Kennedy, grandfather of the American president. JFK made an emotional return to his roots during his visit to Ireland in 1963.

Johnstown Castle & Irish Agricultural Museum – a fine example of 19th century architecture and though the house is not open to the public, the grounds, with lakes, medieval ruins and walled gardens are well worth inspection. The Irish Agricultural Museum & Famine Exhibition is also located in the grounds and provides a fascinating insight into Ireland’s past.

Wexford Wildlife Reserve – situated just two miles north of Wexford Town on an area reclaimed from the sea, this is the winter home of about half the world’s population of white-fronted geese, with approximately 10,000 of them flying here from Greenland each year. The reserve of course, protects many other species of birds during the course of the year.