This Campsite is situated approximately five miles from the Heritage town of Wexford, famous for its Opera Festivals, Selskar Abbey, Twin Churches (1851), St Peter’s College established in 1819, the Mechanics Institute built in 1849 and the Municipal Buildings that were built in 1867. The Railway reached Wexford in 1870 and was continued along the sea front by 1882.
In the early 900s Norsemen created a civic town at Wexford. These Norsemen/Vikings became citizens of early Wexford and they commenced trading with the local inhabitants. Their legacy includes the town’s winding, narrow streets. The town’s name, Wexford, is derived from the Norse, Weissfiord – ‘inlet of the mudflats’.
The 1914-18 war left its mark on Wexford, at that time still part of the British Empire. Many of her sons fought on land and sea and a number of them lost their lives in the struggle.
An American Airbase was established at Wexford during this time, with it’s HQ situated where ELY Hospital is now, in Ferrybank, at the east end of Wexford Bridge.
To our narrow streets came Presidents and ex-Presidents. The American people presented us with a Statue of John Barry, a Wexfordman and ‘Father of the American Navy’. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States of America, visited the town in June 1963, just months before his death. Dwight Eisenhower and Mayor Daly of Chicago were also distinguished guests. Our town is twinned with Coueron, France, a fitting twin for a major town at the Irish Gateway to mainland Europe.
Wexford has a lot to offer its visitors and we look forward to welcoming you to our Parish and town and we encourage you to experience our rich heritage.
- The site is 12miles/19km from Rosslare Europort serving the UK and Mainland Europe:
- (directions: From Europort follow the N25 to Killinick Village, take next left past the village onto L3054 continue for 1 mile/1.6km, turn right and left onto L3042, continue to Piercestown Church 1.5 miles – turn right at church) ,
- 10 miles/16km from Rosslare Strand with its beautiful golden sandy beaches, and approximately
- 12 miles/19km from the quaint village of Kilmore Quay and from here you can take a boat trip to the famous Saltee Islands / Bird Sanctuary.
- A day on the Saltee Islands is an unforgettable experience. Kilmore Quay is also noted for its marina and beautiful old thatched cottages.
- One mile/1,6km from the campsite lies the Johnstown Castle Estate with its wonderful walks, gardens and lakes. 3 miles/4.8km further on are the many wooded areas/walks of Forth Mountain, Barntown.
- Wexford Heritage Park is 3.5 miles/5.6km from Campsite (www.inhp.com).
- 3miles/4.8km from the site lies the South Slob lands and 8 miles/12.8 km lies the North Sloblands http://www.wexfordwildfowlreserve.ie/ with it’s Wildfowl Reserve / Bird Sanctuary on the north side of Wexford town.
- Other areas of interest around Co Wexford can be found here