What to See & Do in Rosslare
Sights and History
Rosslare has a rich and varied history, culminating in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and this is reflected in the local attractions.
The Fort: First recorded on maps in 1599, fortifications were put in place by the Confederate forces in the early 1640s to protect the town from attack from the sea. Wexford was the headquarters of the Confederation of Kilkenny’s naval force during the Irish Rebellion. Attacked and taken by Cromwellian forces in 1649, The Fort was however maintained and eventually became a customs and pilot post. It was eventually abandoned in 1925.
Coast Guard Station: Strand Road: Erected by the British Government around 1890 as a Royal Navy Reserve Base. A drill hall was also built, later to become a Church of Ireland building. The gun installations were dismantled in 1914 to avoid attracting the attention of the German Navy.
Marconi House: Strand Road: Marconi was an Italian electrical engineer, and a pioneer in wireless telegraphy. His engineers worked at Marconi House from 1900-1914, as a link between Poldhu in Cornwall and Clifton in Galway.
Murder Hole: Strand Road: There is a strong local tradition that Cromwellian forces murdered the defenders of the Fort and others at this spot situated opposite Lambert’s corner, now completely washed away by the sea.
Yola Farmstead: Discover the delights of 18th Century village life in Ireland by way of a restored farmhouse with an open fire in Granny’s Kitchen. The park includes a Genealogy Centre, thatched cottages, forge, schoolhouse and church, rare breeds of poultry and animals, supervised children’s playground and craft shop.
Tacumshane Windmill: One of Ireland’s oldest working windmills.
Our Lady’s Island: Carne: With the ruins of a Norman Castle built in
1237 and a 15th Century Augustinian Priory, this site is a national place of pilgrimage.
Irish National Heritage Park: Wexford’s premier visitor attraction, the Irish National Heritage Park demonstrates man’s settlement in Ireland from 7000 B.C. to the arrival of the Normans in the 12th Century. Includes Restaurant, Craft Shop, and Multi-language Audio Visual, Guided Tours.
Saltee Islands: Off Kilmore Quay: Two large granite outcrops sustain wonderful wildlife and scenery, including grey seals, and good angling. These islands are bird sanctuaries of international repute, supporting eleven species of breeding seabirds in the summer.
The Mediaeval Walled Town of Wexford: With its narrow streets running down to the quay, this typical mediaeval town has hosted Vikings and Normans, been sacked by Cromwell’s army, and was a centre in the 1798 rebellion. Walking tours are available.
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve: Over one third of the world’s population of Greenland White-fronted geese spend the winter on the Wexford Slobs. There is also a Visitor’s Centre, Exhibitions and Viewing Tower.
Wexford County Museum: Housed in Enniscorthy’s 13th Century Norman Castle, the museum covers many aspects of Wexford’s past, including the 1798 rebellion, ecclesiastical, military, maritime, agricultural and industrial history.
National 1798 Visitor’s Centre: The visitor’s centre traces the Rebellion of 1798 in County Wexford, together with events as they happened in Europe, the United States and Australia. An audio-visual display on a curved screen simulates the battle of nearby Vinegar Hill.
Johnstown Castle Gardens and the Irish Agricultural Museum: With over 50 acres of mature ornamental grounds, three lakes, walled gardens and a picnic area. 8 miles from Rosslare.
Accommodation
Rosslare has an abundance of decent hotels, guesthouses and self-catering establishments, at a wide range of prices to suit everybody. Typical of the hotels is the three star Ferryport House, offering well-equipped guest rooms and a restaurant approved by the Irish Tourist Board, and serving fresh seafood and Chinese cuisine.
