wexford - Majestic Hotel, Tramore

5 Driving Routes from
WEXFORD
Detailed route maps, places
to see & driving tips
The South East driving brochures were compiled in
collaboration with travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile.
Pól has written for National Geographic Traveller, The
Irish Independent and Cara Magazine amongst other
publications, and has three times been voted Irish Travel
Journalist of the Year.
“There’s something about the South East that makes
you want to get behind the wheel,” he says. “Be it
sandy beaches or craggy coves, wild mountains or
winding rivers, ancient heritage gems or the tingle
of excitement as you arrive into Kilkenny, Wexford or
Waterford. It could be old. It could be new. But there’s
always something different around the next bend.”
Pól Ó Conghaile
Th e River Barrow !
For full details on visitor attractions featured in this guide and a detailed
regional map, pick up your copy of the South East Pocket Guide, or
download from www.discoverireland.ie
Every care has been taken in the compilation of this brochure to ensure
accuracy at the time of publication. The publishers cannot accept
responsibility for printed errors or omissions, or alterations occurring after
the brochure has been published.
Driving Routes from
wexford
Route 4
The open road. Rolling
mountains and river valleys.
Brushing hedgerows, Blue
Flag beaches, lingering lunch
stops and random detours
leading to discoveries you’ll
talk about for years to come.
Route 5
Route 1
There’s nothing like
driving in Ireland. And
there’s nowhere like the South East for doing
it. Within the space of a leisurely few hours
here, you can cruise from cliff-craggy coastlines
to cobbled streets, from fishing villages to lush
farmland, from heritage highlights like Kilkenny
Castle and Waterford’s Viking Triangle to buzzing
pubs, delicious food and dynamic arts and crafts.
Route 3
Route 2
approx.
180 km
approx.
160 km
approx.
75 km
approx.
165 km
approx.
102 km
Route 1
Route 2
Route 3
Route 4
Route 5
the urban
triangle
By Hook or
By Crooke
the island
drive
The three
rivers
castles &
coast
Tantalise yourself
with a taste of
Kilkenny, Waterford
and Wexford and
all the countryside
in-between on a drive
lasting one or several
days…
Follow in the
footsteps of Henry
II, JFK’s greatgrandfather and 18th
century fishermen
on a driving tour
undertaken by Hook
or by Crooke.
Explore Ireland’s
South Easternmost
corner before catching
a deep-sea angling
charter or a trip
around the Saltee
Islands from the
famous fishing port of
Kilmore Quay.
From Duiske Abbey
to the Dunbrody
Experience, the
heritage highlights
come thick and fast
on this enchanting
journey along the
Slaney, Nore and
Barrow.
Movie star beaches,
aerial trekking
adventures and the
heritage hotspots of
Ferns and Enniscorthy
are pick of the
attractions along this
excellent driving tour.
An en ch an tin g jou rn ey –
be it a day trip or a sev eral
day tou r. You ch oose!
Th e Sou th East is forev erford is its
h appenin g – an d Wex age!
su rprise pa ck
Wexford is Ireland’s quiet
kid, a medieval town that
packs a world-class opera
festival, an airy quayside that
seduces you into tight-knit
streets, a coastal town that
seems to squirrel away as
many boutique shops and restaurants as it does
portals to a fascinating Viking and Norman past.
From here, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary
and mile after mile of tantalising coastline and
countryside are just a short drive away. So why wait?
It’s a perfect base for your South Eastern safari.
Route 1
7
5 6
The Urban
Triangle
R700
4
R448
10 Places to See
1
Johnstown Castle Gardens &
Irish Agriculture Museum
R700
2
Dunbrody Experience
2 3
3
Ros Tapestry
4
Woodstock Gardens
5
Rothe House
6
Kilkenny Castle
7
St. Canice’s Cathedral
8
Waterford Crystal
9
Reginald’s Tower
10
Bishop’s Palace
R733
1
10
8 9
R733
R683
Scenic viewpoint
The Urban Triangle
Tantalise yourself with a
taste of Kilkenny, Waterford
and Wexford and all the
countryside in-between
on a drive lasting one
or several days…
Dunbrody Experience
Follow the footprints
of Ireland’s past
The Urban Triangle
If you’re the town and country type, this is the driving route for you. The Urban
Triangle not only passes through some of the sweetest countryside in the South
East, it takes drivers right into the thick of things in WEXFORD, WATERFORD
and KILKENNY too.
After starting out from WEXFORD (via N25), keep your eyes peeled for rocky
outcrops north of Carrigbyrne. These are actually the plugs of extinct volcanoes.
In NEW ROSS, swap your vehicle for a replica famine ship at the Dunbrody
Experience, where costumed actors and interactive elements combine in an
adventure evoking famine times (you’ll even receive a ticket issued as if it were 1849).
Continuing through the River Nore valley (via R700), pass through INISTIOGE,
THOMASTOWN and BENNETTSBRIDGE - the kinds of places you might
pull into for a mosey, and pull out of carrying a piece of hand-crafted glass, a
scrumptious scone, or a photo of an enthralling stone-arch bridge. Watch out
for anglers along the Nore too - this winding river is famous for its salmon.
Next up is KILKENNY. Ireland’s medieval capital is home to world-class
historic buildings like Rothe House and St. Canice’s Cathedral, but also
to spirited pubs, cutting-edge culture, and food worth detouring for. It’s
a city where you can travel several centuries in several steps.
WATERFORD is Ireland’s oldest city, and you can explore its roots in the Viking
Triangle, a new historic quarter housing the Viking Museum in Reginald’s
Tower, Waterford Crystal and a Georgian Museum in Bishop’s Palace. It’s not all
ancient history, of course – funky shops, restaurants and festivals like Spraoi
and the Tall Ships ensure Waterford continues to sparkle in the 21st century.
On the home stretch towards WEXFORD (follow the R683 and R733), the
Passage East ferry offers a lovely postscript, with views stretching south
to the Hook Lighthouse. It’s at once a shortcut and a scenic detour.
Viking Triangle
A thousand years in a thousand steps!
driving tip
Time
undertaken as a day trip or spread over several
Total
Distance
Wexford Town – Kilkenny City
1h 45 mins
days. It can also be shortened by taking the N25
approx.
Kilkenny City – Waterford City
40 mins
Depending on stop-offs, this route can be
from New Ross to Waterford. Return and one-way
fares are available on the Passage East Ferry,
and the wait is rarely longer than 10 minutes.
180 km
Waterford City – Wexford Town
1h 30 mins
All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.
Route 2
By Hook or
By Crooke
10 Places to See
1
Johnstown Castle Gardens &
Irish Agriculture Museum
2
Tintern Abbey
3
Hook Lighthouse
4
Duncannon Fort
5
Waterford Crystal
6
Bishop’s Palace
7
Reginald’s Tower
8
Ros Tapestry
9
Dunbrody Experience
10
Kennedy Homestead
9
8
10
R733
1
7
5 6
2
4
R737
Scenic viewpoint
R684
3
By Hook or by Crooke
Follow in the footsteps
of Henry II, JFK’s
great-grandfather and 18th
century fishermen on a
driving tour undertaken
by Hook or by Crooke.
Hook Lighthouse
The Worlds Flashiest
Lighthouse!
By Hook or by Crooke
By Hook or by Crooke. It’s a phrase you’ve heard a thousand times, and this drive
transports you right back to its origins. In 1170, Henry II was advancing towards
Waterford. His options for getting there? Via the village of Crooke, or the Hook
Peninsula. The rest, as you’ll discover, is history.
Departing from WEXFORD (via R733), this route travels directly to the Hook
Peninsula, and particularly the lighthouse that takes its name. Lonely Planet recently
hailed this 800-year-old beacon as the world’s flashiest lighthouse, and visitors can
climb its spiralling steps to views stretching as far as Wexford’s Saltee Islands. In
wintertime, you may even see passing whales.
Continuing on a loop of the Hook, you’ll pass DOLLAR BAY, named after pirates
reputedly stashed two tonnes of Spanish milled dollars there in the 1700s. Look out
for Loftus Hall too, where the devil is said to have been unmasked during a game
of cards, and the star-shaped Duncannon Fort. The more you explore this bleakly
romantic peninsula, the more exploring there is to do.
After crossing the SUIR ESTUARY by ferry from Ballyhack, pause for a moment
in the close-knit harbour village of PASSAGE EAST. This was one of the ports
fishermen and emigrants left for Newfoundland in the 17th and 18th centuries,
creating an indelible cultural connection with North America. Today, Waterford and St.
John’s are twinned cities.
From here, swing south to the hidden coves and seafood restaurants of DUNMORE
EAST, before returning north (via R684) to explore WATERFORD’S Viking and
Norman roots. The final stop is NEW ROSS (via N25), where the Dunbrody
Experience and nearby Kennedy Homestead highlight another great American
connection. On a wet day in 1848, a young man named Patrick Kennedy left the
quays here for America. 115 years later, his great-grandson, John F. Kennedy,
returned as President of the United States.
Dunmore East
A little gem of a fishing village!
driving tip
Return and one-way fares are available on the
Passage East Ferry, and the wait is rarely longer
than 10 minutes. The Kennedy homestead is not
accessible to coaches. The gardens at Kilmokea
are open from March to November, as are its lovely
Georgian tea rooms.
Total
Distance
Time
approx.
Hook Peninsula Loop
160 km
Wexford Town – Fethard-on-Sea
Passage East – Dunmore East
Dunmore East – Waterford City
Waterford City – New Ross
New Ross – Wexford Town
1h
2 hrs
30 mins
25 mins
25 mins
35 mins
All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.
Route 3
The Island
Drive
10 Places to See
10
9
2
R733
1
4
R739
3
R738
R736
7
R739
6
5
1
Johnstown Castle Gardens &
Irish Agriculture Museum
2
Tacumshane Windmill
3
Tagoat Church
4
Rosslare Strand
5
Ballytrent Beach
6
Carnsore Point
7
Lady’s Island
8
Saltee Islands
9
Irish National Heritage Park
10
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
Scenic viewpoint
8
The Island Drive
Explore Ireland’s South
Easternmost corner before
catching a deep-sea
angling charter or a trip
around the Saltee Islands
from the famous fishing
port of Kilmore Quay.
Blue Flag Beach
The Island Drive
Heading south from Wexford, this charming route ventures towards the
South Eastern corner of the country at Carnsore Point, traces a coastline
of sandy beaches and marshy lagoons, and breaks in Kilmore Quay,
where you can catch a sea-angling charter or scenic boat trip.
After leaving Wexford (via N25), your first stop is Rosslare, home to a long,
sandy beach as suited to buckets and spades as soulful strolls. From here continue
south to Lady’s Island. Once the site of an early Augustinian priory, the area
remains a centre of pilgrimage to this day – a token unearthed by a ploughman
in 1941 was later found to date from the reign of Pope Martin V (1417-1431).
Lady’s Island Lake is, together with nearby Tacumshin, one of two lagoons in
the area. Both are separated from the sea by low, narrow dune systems, throwing
up birdwatching opportunities that are a perfect complement to the Wexford
Wildfowl Reserve further north.
A short drive takes you (via R736 and R739) onwards to Kilmore Quay,
a famous fishing port by Forlorn Point, and a familiar feature of seafood
menus far beyond the South East. Spotted with old cottages and chugging
trawlers, a steady procession of deep-sea fishing charters leaves the harbour
here, taking anglers out to fish for cod, whiting, ray and tope, for conger eel
near the wrecks, and blue shark farther offshore. You can also take a spin
around the Saltee Islands, cackling with hundreds of bird species.
From Kilmore Quay, head back towards Wexford via the R739 or R738,
twisting regional roads passing through the ancient baronies of Forth and
Bargy. Yola, a Middle English dialect, was spoken here until the 1920s, and
traces of it survive to this day. “Take your stevven”, for example, means take
your time or take it easy - apt advice for this short and sweet driving loop.
Kilmore Quay
A heritage fishing village!
driving tip
Depending on the time at your disposal, this
route can take a short half day, or combine with a
sightseeing or angling trip out of Kilmore Quay. The
return journey can be shortened by taking the R739
Total
Distance
Time
Wexford Town – Lady’s Island
25 mins
approx.
Lady’s Island – Kilmore Quay
35 mins
Kilmore Quay – Wexford via Murntown
45 mins
75 km
directly from Kilmore Quay back to Wexford.
All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.
Route 4
The Three
Rivers
R724
R705
4
R705
5
R703
2
1
3
6
7
R700
8
9
Enniscorthy
10
‘The finest place in the
World!’ James Joyce
The Three Rivers
10 Places to See
From Duiske Abbey to
the Dunbrody Experience,
the heritage highlights
come thick and fast
on this enchanting
journey along the Slaney,
Nore and Barrow.
1
Enniscorthy Castle
2
St. Aidan’s Cathedral
3
Vinegar Hill
4
Borris House
5
Duiske Abbey
6
Jerpoint Abbey
7
Woodstock Gardens
8
The Dunbrody Experience
9
Ros Tapestry
10
Johnstown Castle Gardens &
Irish Agriculture Museum
Scenic viewpoint
The Three Rivers
Driving this discovery trail offers a flavour of
three famous rivers – the Slaney, the Barrow
and the Nore – as well as looping through the
most scenic corners of Carlow and Kilkenny.
Enniscorthy, your first stop heading north on the
N11, recently celebrated its 1,500th birthday – a clue
as to the historical gems hidden amongst its hilly
streets. A cathedral designed by Pugin, a Norman
Castle dating from 1205, and Vinegar Hill - where
the decisive battle of the 1798 Rebellion was fought
- are just three of the highlights. You can learn more
about the rebellion in the National 1798 Centre.
Famously, Enniscorthy is referred to in James
Joyce’s Ulysses as “the finest place in the
world,” though you’ll find plenty of competition
on this journey. At Bunclody (via N80), Mount
Leinster can be climbed via the prehistoric Nine
Stones (also a hang-gliding hotspot), before
curving around the Blackstairs Mountains on the
R724 towards Bagenalstown, the 17th century
Dunleckney Manor and the River Barrow.
The Barrow is the second-longest river in Ireland, and
a magnet for walkers, anglers, kayakers and boating
folk. Watch out for life on the river and its banks as
you follow the R705 south through Borris to the
waterfront gem of Graiguenamanagh, and the
R703 onwards towards Inistioge. The blooming
flower boxes at the latter look like a Gardeners’
World cover shot in summer, nearby Woodstock
Gardens are home to the longest monkey-puzzle
avenue in Europe, and the 10-arched bridge
over the River Nore is simply spellbinding.
In New Ross (via R700), it’s back to the Barrow,
and two wonderful stop-offs in the Dunbrody
Experience and the Ros Tapestry. The focal point of
the former is a replica famine ship; the Ros Tapestry
is a series of panels stitched, knotted and couched
by volunteers to tell the story of the town’s Norman
origins. It’s a unique tale, literally told in thread.
driving tip
Inistioge
View its 18th century
10 span bridge!
Time
N25 and N80, but pay close attention to signage
Total
Distance
on the winding local roads between Bunclody and
approx.
Bunclody – Bagenalstown
The driving on this route is straightforward on the
Inistioge. The loop can be shortened by taking the
N30 straight from Enniscorthy to New Ross.
165 km
Wexford Town – Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy – Bunclody
Bagenalstown – Borris
Borris – Inistioge
Inistioge – New Ross
New Ross – Wexford Town
25 mins
25 mins
45 mins
20 mins
40 mins
30 mins
35 mins
All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.
Route 5
Castles &
Coast
R742
3
4
10 Places to See
5
8
6
7
R742
2
R742
R741
9
1
1
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
2
Curracloe Beach
3
Ferns Castle
4
Ferns Cathedral
5
Enniscorthy Castle
6
St. Aidan’s Cathedral
7
Vinegar Hill
8
1798 Rebellion Centre
9
Irish National Heritage Park
10
Johnstown Castle Gardens &
Irish Agriculture Museum
Scenic viewpoint
Blue Flag Beach
10
Castles & Coast
Movie star beaches,
aerial trekking adventures
and the heritage
hotspots of Ferns and
Enniscorthy are pick of
the attractions along this
excellent driving tour.
Enniscorthy
… 1,500 years young!
Castles & Coast
Whether it’s ancient history in Ferns and Enniscorthy or artistic license at
Curracloe, where Steven Spielberg staged a spectacular reconstruction of the
Normandy landings, this route is a whistle-stop tour of a region that is quite
simply forever happening.
From Wexford, proceed north on the R742, one of the most underrated coastal
drives in the country. Thatched cottages, visitor farms and Blue Flag beaches
at Morriscastle, Courtown and Curracloe are the highlights here - with dozens
of bohareens leading down to the long, sandy shoreline. Ballinesker is where
Spielberg filmed the frenetic opening scenes for Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Courtown, combining its old stone harbour with a neat beach, nostalgic
amusements and aerial trekking adventures at Gravity Forest Park, is where you
depart from the coast. Grab a bite at the busy market town of Gorey, before
travelling back in time to historic Ferns (via N11).
You mightn’t think it today, but Ferns was once the engine room of the Kings of
Leinster. Ferns Castle dates from the 13th century (it was trashed by Cromwell’s
forces in 1649, though you can still climb one tower), and you’ll also find the ruins
of Ferns Cathedral and St. Mary’s Abbey.
After Ferns, continue to Enniscorthy (via N11), a town first settled by St.
Senan in 510AD. The Norman castle here was home for a time to the poet
Edmund Spenser, and legend suggests he got the lease from Queen Elizabeth…
after royally flattering her in The Faerie Queen.
Also worth a stop in Enniscorthy are St. Aidan’s Cathedral, designed by Pugin,
and Vinegar Hill, a critical battle site during the 1798 Rebellion. Interestingly, the
hill also played a small role in 1916 – both stories are told in depth at the 1798
Centre on St. John’s Road.
Curracloe Beach
One of Ireland’s finest beaches
driving tip
This is a short and sweet loop, allowing plenty of
time for stop offs. If your schedule permits, why not
detour from Enniscorthy to New Ross, visiting the
Dunbrody Experience, Ros Tapestry or Kennedy
Homestead before retuning on the N25 to Wexford?
Total
Distance
Time
approx.
Courtown – Gorey
102 km
Wexford Town – Courtown
Gorey – Ferns
Ferns – Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy – Wexford Town
1h 10 mins
10 mins
20 mins
15 mins
25 mins
All times are best estimates, and do not allow for stop-offs.
driving tips for your trip
Drive on the left
Park smart
Yes, it’s obvious. Yes, everyone is doing it. But if you’re used to
driving on the right, it’s easy to fall into old habits first thing in the
morning, after a lunch stop, or pulling back onto a quiet country
road after taking that latest awesome photo...
You’ll rarely have to pay to park in the Irish countryside, but
pay-and-display charges are commonplace in towns and cities.
Keep some coins handy for the meters, and remember to check the
signs indicating times during which on-street parking is charged.
Heed the speed limits
Car rental tips
The speed limit on regional (R) roads is 80kph/50mph, on
national (N) roads 100kph/62mph, and on motorways (M)
120kph/75mph. In towns, the limit is 50kph/30mph.
Most rental cars in Ireland are manual transmission, so if you prefer
to drive automatic, stipulate this when booking. Rental companies
provide numbers to call if you need breakdown assistance, and
fuel tanks should be returned as full as you receive them.
Get a good map
Don’t forget
Irish motorways are straightforward. Country roads… not so much.
That’s why it’s a good idea to have a reliable map (such as those
available for purchase in Tourist Information Offices) or GPS in the
glove box before you set off on your South Eastern safari.
When driving in Ireland, you need to carry a valid licence as well as
insurance and vehicle registration documentation. It’s also illegal
to hold a mobile phone when driving, so keep those calls, tweets,
texts and Facebook updates for when you’re safely pulled in!
Safety first
Fill up
Whilst Ireland’s roads are improving all the time, N and R routes
can still be thin and bumpy, prone to ice in winter, and may not
have hard shoulders. For many drivers, of course, that’s all part of
the charm. But it’s wise to adapt your speed to the circumstances.
There are very few online services on Irish motorways, and petrol
stations can be irregular between towns. Keep your tank topped up!
The tractor factor
Need to know
No matter how meticulous your plans, the chance of chugging
along at 20mph behind a tractor, or being held to a standstill by a
herd of sheep or cattle, is always there. It’s nothing to worry about
(it may even make your trip), just be aware that it may occur!
In case of accident or emergency, call 999 or 112. 999
112
Wexford TOWN map
Map Key
Tourist Information
Police Station
Theatre
Railway Station
Fire Station
Post Office
Car Parking
Bus Stop – National
Library
Hospital
Abbey / Monastery /
Round Tower
Cinema
Walking Trails
Shopping Centre
Small Airfield
Castle
Art / Craft Centre
Public Toilet
Church / Cathedral
Place of Interest
Yacht Club/Marina
Town centre
PLACES TO SEE
1
John Barry Monument
2
Wexford Opera House
3
Dun Mhuire Theatre
4
Wexford Arts Centre
5
Bull Ring
6
Westgate Tower
7
County Hall
8
The Ballast Bank
Taxi Rank
City / Town Hall
Heritage Centre
Discover Ireland
Visitor Information Centres
For further information on suggested driving routes, visit
one of the region’s Discover Ireland Centres and speak
to a travel advisor.
• Local & National Information
• Itinerary Planning
• Guide Books, Brochures & Maps
• Accommodation Booking
COUNTY WEXFORD
Wexford Discover Ireland Centre
Quayside, Wexford Town.
t +353 (0)53 912 3111
e wexford@failteireland.ie
COUNTY WATERFORD
Dungarvan Discover Ireland Centre
The Courthouse, Dungarvan.
t +353 (0)58 417 41
e info@dungarvantourism.com
COUNTY KILKENNY
Kilkenny Discover Ireland Centre
Shee Alms House, Rose Inn Street/
Mary’s Lane, Kilkenny City.
t +353 (0)56 775 1500
e kilkenny@failteireland.ie
COUNTY CARLOW
Carlow Discover Ireland Centre
College Street, Carlow Town.
t +353 (0)59 913 1554
e carlow@failteireland.ie
COUNTY TIPPERARY
Cahir Discover Ireland Centre*
Castle Car Park, Castle Street,
Cahir.
t +353 (0)52 744 1453
e cahir@failteireland.ie
FI/11672-11
WATERFORD CITY
Waterford Discover Ireland Centre
The Quay, Waterford City.
t +353 (0)51 875 823
e waterford@failteireland.ie
breathtaking
*Centre opens from April to the end of October
www.discoverireland.ie
Fáilte Ireland
4th Floor Wallace House,
Maritana Gate, Canada Street,
Waterford.
t +353 (0) 51 312 700
f +353 (0) 51 312 710
www.discoverireland.ie