Wexford Heritage Trail - Self-Guided Walking Tour

Wexford is one of Ireland’s most historically layered counties - Vikings, Normans, monks and rebels all left their mark here - and this free, self-guided heritage trail pulls 32 of the most significant sites into a single county-wide route. You set the pace, pick the stops that interest you most, and dip into a millennium of Irish history without a tour bus or a schedule. It suits independent travellers, families with older children, history enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a reason to explore the county properly rather than just passing through.

What to expect

The 32-site trail spans the full length and breadth of Co. Wexford, linking castles, abbeys, battlefields, historic towns, great houses, and natural heritage into one coherent route. Some of the standout stops include Hook Lighthouse - one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world, with a medieval tower dating back roughly 1,000 years - and Enniscorthy Castle, which now houses the county museum. The National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy and Vinegar Hill Battlefield bring the story of the United Irishmen into sharp focus, while the Dunbrody Famine Ship at New Ross gives a striking account of the emigration era.

Religious heritage runs deep too: Tintern Abbey, Dunbrody Abbey, and Selskar Abbey in Wexford Town are all on the route. The Irish National Heritage Park near Ferrycarrig recreates 9,000 years of Irish life across 35 acres and is particularly good for families. On the wilder side, the Saltee Islands and Wexford Wildfowl Reserve bring in a natural history strand. The Kennedy Homestead at Dunganstown, ancestral home of US President John F. Kennedy, adds a transatlantic dimension.

You can drive the full trail over several days, cover it in sections, or even cycle the flatter stretches. A trail map is available from Visit Wexford and through the official site at wexfordtrails.ie. Individual site entry fees vary - the trail itself is free, but some attractions charge for admission.

Getting there

Wexford Town is the natural base. By road, it sits about 2 hours south of Dublin on the N11/M11 - a straightforward drive. Bus Eireann runs regular services from Dublin Busaras to Wexford Town, and Irish Rail operates direct trains from Dublin Connolly via Rosslare Strand, with Wexford station a short walk from the town centre. For the trail itself, a car is the most practical option as the sites are spread across the county, though individual sections around Wexford Town and New Ross are walkable or cyclable. Parking is available at all major trail sites.

While you’re in Wexford

The town itself rewards a few hours of walking - the long quayside, the narrow lanes of the old Viking town, and Selskar Abbey where Henry II is said to have done penance for the murder of Thomas Becket are all within easy reach of each other. There is more to see in Wexford and across Co. Wexford.

Good to know

• Date: 30 July 2026 (trail is open year-round; summer is the best time for the Saltee Islands and outdoor sites)
• Start time: From 9:00am
• Price: Free - though some individual attractions charge their own admission fees
• Trail map and information: visitwexford.ie and wexfordtrails.ie
• Format: Self-guided; do the full route over multiple days or select individual sections
• Suitable for: Walking, driving, or cycling depending on the section
• Weather: Outdoor sites are weather-dependent; check forecasts before heading to coastal or hilltop locations