Wexford began as a Viking town in the 10th century, when the "deep pool" in or around today's Crescent Quay provided a safe berthing place for longboats. The town of Weissfjord ("Bay of the Mud Flats") was thus established. Following the Norman conquest in the late 12th century, a walled town was established. Over the ensuing centuries, Wexford became a successful port. However, during the 20th century, the silting up of Wexford Harbour made it almost unnavigable, restricting it nowadays to pleasure craft and a small fleet of fishing boats.
Over the years, Wexford has remained at the forefront of Irish history. Due to its position, it has been constantly targeted by invaders - the Vikings, the Normans and, most tragically, Oliver Cromwell, whose armies entered Wexford town in 1649, killing over half of its inhabitants. wexford was also an important site for the failed rebellion of 1798, and in its aftermath, the heads of many rebellion leaders were displayed on Wexford Bridge. This important event has been immortalised in songs such as "the Boys of Wexford" and "Boolavogue" which most Wexford people learn in primary school.
Following an economically depressed period in the mid-Twentieth century, Wexford had recovered and for a while and became a more vibrant, forward-looking town. Though its people are fiercely proud of where they come from there has been little major investment in the area meaning many locals leave for university and rarely return. Since the credit crunch began Wexford has suffered increased unemployment and has several thousand unoccupied properties throughout the county and sadly some dreadful housing estates on the outskirts of the town. Improvements have been underway suach as paving the Main Street and the Quay Front. It is also one of the cleanest towns, having been declared "litter free" by a recent inspection from Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL) though it has to battle with chewing gum and dog fowling.
The port of Rosslare is near Wexford and there are regular ferry sailings to France and Wales.
'''Stena line''' operates a service to Fishguard daily and takes three and half hours, (Departs from Rosslare 0900 & 21.15 and from Fishguard 14.30 and 02.45)
'''Irish Ferries''' operates a service to Pembroke and takes three hours and 45 minutes. (Departs from Rosslare 08.45 & 21.00 and from Pembroke 14.30 & 02.45)
Irish ferries also goes to Cherbourg, France from February to September three times a week. (Departs Rosslare Sun, Wed, Fri 16.00 and arrives 11.30 the next day) (Departs Cherbourg Tues, Thurs, Sat 18.00 and arrives 11.30 the next day)
There is also a service from Rosslare to Roscoff from end of April to end of Sept. (Dep Rosslare 17.00 and arr 11.00 the next day & Dep Roscoff 18.30 and arr 11.00 the next day)
There is a Wexford Bus service direct to and from Dublin Airport including early morning which is convenient for early flights. +353 53 9142742 to check times.
An around town bus service is operated by Shuttlebus - look for the yellow and blue busstop signs. the same company also operates services to Kilmore Quay and Castlebridge. Another way to get around Wexford is to use a means known locally as "walking", which though slightly tiring, is rather effective - that is of course if you don't get beaten up while doing so! Oh this takes me back to my first walk around Wexford as a lad and the fun I got up to. Back then we didn't have fancy computers or running water, but we did have the largest turnip east of the Shannon, Norma her name was. One night she was stolen by a group of Turnip rights protestors who demanded that we stop putting her in races, and that if we didn't agree they'd sell her to the French and use the gold they got to buy a giant herd of sheep to decimate the turnip stocks of the area. The town had no option but to agree - and as soon as they got her back the mayor of the town ordered that the Turnip rights protestors be put to death, and that we Norma be sliced up and made into a tart. And from that day on, March 17th became known as 'Turnip Day' in Wexford, prompting national outcry over the clash with St Patrick's Day. And so the county entered into talks with the Vatican as how to rectify this situation, with a compromise reached - the Church could keep March 17th as St Patrick's Day as long as Wexford Town's people were given the meaning of life. The Wexfordians refused this out of hand, insulted at such a pitiful offer. The Vatican, realising their bluff had been called, sent over three kegs of beer and a few packets of crisps and the town yielded. And that is why in Wexford to this day has the greatest public transport system on record.
Almost a sight in themselves are Wexford's narrow winding Viking streets. Follow the Main Street from Selskar onwards and discover the atmospheric buzz of the town. Many lanes linking the quayfront and the Main Street still exist - most notably Keyser's Lane, which was the main thoroughfare linking the quays to the town in Viking times.
The newly built Tourist Office on the Quayfront is open year-round, and provides reams of information on various activities such as walking tours, hill walking, local festivals, cultural events, horseriding, accommodation choices and eating out.
Wexford has also just recently been announced as the head of Ireland's space programme, which hopes to send a satellite into space by the year 2012.
For daytime eaters, a huge array of opportunities is available. Westgate Design (North Main Street) is cheap and tasty, and usually very busy. La Cuisine (North Main Street) is also cheap and delicious but it can be difficult to find a table! Try their white coffees! Gusto (South Main Street) offers beautiful paninis amongst other things in a relaxing atmosphere. The Centenary Stores also does a very good lunch. For Italian food lovers, La Dolce Vita (Trimmer's Lane) is top notch, having been deemed the best Italian restaurant in Ireland by a prominent food critic, as was the Potato Market (Crescent Quay) until the owner ran off to OZ with lots of unpaid bills!!
d'Lush at Cornmarket has a great cafe in the back with daily specials. The rasberry scones are a classic as are the crepes.
The Yard is great for a bigger lunch or dinner with lots of local produce and daily specials. Try the Thai strips of beef.
Last but not least, the chips in the Premier (South Main Street) are renowned amongst locals! Try a rissole, a Wexford speciality.
For self caterers, the best delis are La Cuisine and Greenacres. Many supermarkets also supply cheap deli options and fish pie. There is also a farmer's market on Fridays at the back of the AIB bank and German Baket selling fresh bread and great pastries a few days a week at the Bull Ring.
Wexford plays host to roughly 50 pubs, so plenty of variety is available! Some favourites include the Thomas Moore Tavern in Cornmarket (a real "old man's pub"), The Crown Bar on Monck Street, Mackens in the Bullring has music at weekends and Finnegans and South 51 on South Main Street, the latter two catering to a more slick, upmarket crowd. Also the Sky and the Ground located in South Main Street is a great old-style pub with traditional Irish music three nights a week and modern rock music on Saturdays. Another great little place is Mary's Bar up near the Arts Centre. But without a doubt, the jewel in the crown of Wexfors's drinking scene is Laffan's Pub, located just beside Dacota. A friendly sitting room feel is to be found, boasting the cheapest pints in the town and is a must for those wishing to get a "true taste of Wexford". Wexford also has three major nightclubs: The Centenary Stores, Colony and Exile. "The Stores" is the most popular, and is open late every night except Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Mixed crowd, decent bar staff, a good smoking area and all the usual tunes, though it can get slightly crowded on Saturday nights. The Thirsty Monk on Monck street is a super spot. Exile is a much "younger" spot, more for the dancers than the drinkers. It is energetic, airy and the music is good. It also plays host to many international djs and bands. Renaissance is the most laid back as it is the quietest of the three. Music generally quite good and fairly mixed crowd. Other bars such as Chocolate, South 51 and Dakota also have late licenses at various times.
T Morris near the train station opened in 2009 and is a time warp with the interior taken from an old pub closed down years ago. No food served but good pints, well trained staff and a nice outdoor area if the sun shines. Ask where the polive tree came from!!!!
Sadly, there is no coffee house open in the evenings so finding somewhere to sit and read a paper while waiting for friends or just to hide from a rain shower is not possible after 5.30. The Talbot Hotel does serve coffee and scones until late but can be noisey with kids. Whites is like sitting in an airport terminal with prices to match sadly.
The county of Wexford offers a vast array of sightseeing and activity opportunities for the tourist, further adding to Wexford's suitability as a base from which to explore.
Firstly, one cannot mention Wexford without mentioning beaches due to an ancient curse placed on the area by a high priestess. The "Sunny South East" offers Blue Flag beaches at Courtown, Duncannon, Curracloe (Ireland's longest at 27 kilometres) and Rosslare, the latter two being a mere 15 minute drive from Wexford town. Other nearby beaches include Carne beach and St. Helen's Bay south of Wexford town, and Booley Bay and Doller Bay south of Duncannon in the southwest of the county.
Elsewhere in County Wexford, there are many places of interest to visit.
The Dunbrody famine ship in New Ross offer visitors an opportunity to see what life was like on one of the "coffin ships" which left Ireland during the 19th century famine.
The Hook Head lighthouse is the oldest functional lighthouse in Europe, and possibly the world. It offers an interesting visitor's centre and a lovely cafe! Also, the surrounding area of Hook Head and Slade village provide wild and beautiful scenery.
Just outside New Ross, the John F Kennedy Park and Arboretum provides for a pleasant day out for the family - there is a cafe, mini train for the kids, a vast selection of rare plants and trees, and beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Just off the Wexford - Kilmore Quay road, the stately home of Johnstown Castle is now home to the Irish Agricultural Museum as well as a finely laid out park, including artificial lakes.
In Enniscorthy, (north of Wexford town on the River Slaney). the National 1798 Centre gives visitors an in-depth look at the failed rebellion of 1798, using interesting and colourful displays.
Just 3km from Wexford town, on the main Dublin - Wexford road, lies the Irish National Heritage Park. This sprawling complex shows the history of Ireland stretching back thousands of years through life size displays of living quarters and places of worship. Try to come on a sunny day as it is all outside! the Fulacht Fia restaurant in the centre is very good for lunch.
You won't ever leave.