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Things to do Heritage Park
Open-air park of reconstructed sites at Ferrycarrig
Things to do in Wexford
Lighthouse, castle, heritage park and free days out
The three big days out in the south of County Wexford are Hook Lighthouse, about 800 years old, Johnstown Castle with its gardens and agricultural museum, and the Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig. All three are open all year. The Wildfowl Reserve, Our Lady’s Island and Tacumshane Windmill cost nothing to visit.
Hook Lighthouse, Johnstown Castle and the Heritage Park
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Things to do Hook Lighthouse
Medieval lighthouse on Hook Head
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Things to do Johnstown Castle
Gothic Revival castle with gardens and museum
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Planning a day out
Hook Lighthouse on Hook Head is the furthest out, about 50 minutes by car from Wexford town. It pairs well with Kilmore Quay on the south coast. Johnstown Castle and the Irish National Heritage Park are both close to Wexford town: Johnstown is about 15 minutes away on bus 390, and the Heritage Park has its entrance off the N11 just north of the town. From Rosslare Europort the Heritage Park is about 30 minutes by car.
Free things to do
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve: About 200 hectares on the North Slob, open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. There is an 8-metre tower, hides and a wheelchair-accessible visitor centre. Greenland white-fronted geese are here from October to March.
- Our Lady’s Island: A place of pilgrimage since the 7th century, with a holy well, church ruins and a leaning tower from the Norman period. Entry is free. See Rosslare Strand and Rosslare Harbour.
- Tacumshane Windmill: Built in 1846 and a national monument. Collect the key from Meylers Millhouse; entry is free.
- Beaches: Curracloe and Rosslare Strand are among the six Blue Flag beaches in County Wexford in 2026. See beaches.
In winter
Hook Lighthouse, Johnstown Castle and the Heritage Park are open all year. At Hook, tower tours run every hour from 10:00 to 16:00 outside July and August. From November to March the Heritage Park runs guided tours on three themes at set times. Winter is also the season for the Greenland white-fronted geese at the Wildfowl Reserve.
Wexford town
In Wexford town itself you can visit Selskar Abbey, founded in the early 12th century, where the first Anglo-Irish treaty was signed in 1169. The National Opera House on High Street opened in 2008 on the site of the Theatre Royal and is home to Wexford Festival Opera, which in 2026 ran from 15 to 31 October.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do for free in Wexford? +
Entry is free at the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, at Our Lady’s Island and at Tacumshane Windmill, where you collect the key from Meylers Millhouse. The car park at Rosslare Strand is free too.
Which is the most worthwhile if I only have one day? +
For history, Hook Lighthouse, which William Marshal built about 800 years ago. For prehistory and the Vikings, the Irish National Heritage Park, where 16 reconstructed sites from a dolmen to a Viking ship cover more than 9,000 years. For a house and gardens, Johnstown Castle.
How many can I fit into a day? +
Two is realistic. Allow up to two hours at Hook Lighthouse and 90 minutes to two hours at the Heritage Park. Johnstown Castle and the Heritage Park are both close to Wexford town, while Hook Lighthouse is about 50 minutes’ drive from the town.
Do I need to book in advance? +
For Hook Lighthouse, yes, because every tower tour is booked ahead. At Johnstown Castle, booking is recommended for the castle tour, while the gardens and museum need no booking. At the Heritage Park, booking online is recommended.
What is open in winter? +
All three. Hook Lighthouse opens daily from 09:30 to 17:00, Johnstown Castle from 09:00 to 16:30 between 2 November and 29 January, and the Heritage Park from 09:30 to 17:00 between November and February. Johnstown Castle closes from 23 to 26 December.