Co. Wexford

Co. Wexford

Things to do - general

Wexford lies on the south side of Wexford Harbour, the estuary of the River Slaney. According to a local legend, the town got its Irish name, Loch Garman, from a young man named Garman Garbh who was drowned on the mudflats at the mouth of the River Slaney by flood waters released by an enchantress. The resulting loch or lough was thus named, Loch Garman. The town was founded by the Vikings in about 800 AD. They named it Veisafjǫrðr, inlet of the mud flats and the name has changed only slightly into its present form. For about three hundred years it was a Viking town, a city state, largely independent and owing only token dues to the Irish kings of Leinster.

Country Ireland
Languages spokenEnglish
Currency usedEuro

Culture and history info

Wexford is the home of many youth and senior theatre groups including the Buí Bolg street performance group, Oyster Lane Theatre Group, Wexford Pantomime Society, Wexford Light Opera Society and Wexford Drama Group. Wexford has a number of music and drama venues including Wexford Opera House, the Dun Mhuire Theatre and Wexford Arts Centre. Wexford's Theatre Royal opera house was recently replaced by the Wexford Opera House and it hosts the internationally recognised Opera Festival every October. Dr Tom Walsh started the festival in 1951, and it has since grown into the internationally recognised festival it is today. The Dun Mhuire Theatre holds music events and bingo as well as hosting shows by Oyster Lane Theatre Group and Wexford Pantomime Society. The Wexford Arts Centre hosts exhibitions, theatre, music and dance events. Various concerts are held in St. Iberius's Church (Church of Ireland). Until the mid-nineteenth century the Yola language could be heard in Wexford, and a few words still remain in use. The food of Wexford is also distinct from the rest of Ireland, due to the local cultivation of seafood, smoked cod being a token dish in the region. The National Lottery Skyfest was held in Wexford in March 2011, providing a formidable fireworks display and a pyrotechnic waterfall on the towns main bridge spanning 300m. Buí Bolg (Yellow Belly) also performed on the night.Culture and history image
Enniscorthy Castle

Enniscorthy Castle

Co. Wexford
Enniscorthy Castle Strange and ghostly events take place and have been recorded by paranormal groups More info
Enniscorthy Ghost Walk

Enniscorthy Ghost Walk

Co. Wexford
Enniscorthy Ghost Tours Walk with us through Enniscorthy – hear tales of ghosts and ghoulies and thi More info
Loftus Hall House Tour

Loftus Hall House Tour

Co. Wexford
Loftus Hall House tour a guided interactive tour of the ground floor of Loftus Hall lasting approx 4 More info
Weird Wacky Weekend In Enniscorthy

Weird Wacky Weekend In Enniscorthy

Co. Wexford
Grab a few friends (10 or more – ha!) and use the time for a relaxing stay in luxury – a More info