Looking for fun things to do during your trip to Wexford that won’t break the bank? From stunning Blue Flag Beaches to amazing walking trails and historic landmarks to beautiful fishing villages, there is something for everyone to enjoy while visiting Wexford. Here is our guide to the best free things to do in Wexford to keep you entertained during your stay.
Curracloe Beach
15-minute drive from hotel
Voted in 2019 in the Independent as Ireland’s favourite beach, Curracloe is a blue flag beach stretching 10km along the Sunny South Eastern coastline.
Curracloe has 3 main entrances known locally as Ballinsker, White Gap and Culleton’s Gap. There is a car park available and a boardwalk at Balinskeer which is nearly flat – extremely wheelchair friendly. A nature trail also runs through the dunes at Curracloe – a beautiful sight not to miss! If you’re not a fan of sand and prefer a quicker mode of transport, you can opt to cycle these trails too.
Many say they believe they’re in the south of France when caught on Curracloe on a hot, sunny day. Get those bags packed and get ready for a beach day!
Kilmore Quay
30-minute drive from hotel
Kilmore Quay is a beautiful fishing village, with a population of just a couple of hundred people, located just a 30-minute drive from Maldron Hotel Wexford. Kilmore Quay is well known for its fishing harbour, whitewashed cottages, thatched roofs and great walks.
Have a tranquil stroll along the marina as you watch the colourful boats pass by with fishermen busy at work. Take a walk along the beach and afterwards grab a bite to eat from one of the lovely local restaurants. You can let the kids play in the gated playground while you enjoy a nice warm coffee. There is also plenty of free parking spaces available and great little shops to discover.
The stunning Saltee Islands, home to an array of seabirds, including the adorable puffins, is just 5km off the coast of Kilmore Quay.
Vinegar Hill
25-minute drive from hotel
The Battle of Vinegar Hill occurred during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 on 21 June 1798 when over 15,000 British soldiers launched an attack on Vinegar Hill, Enniscorthy. Today, the Vinegar Hill Battlefield, a 25-minute drive from Maldron Hotel Wexford, is open to the public to visit.
The views from the top of this historic landmark are quite extraordinary, with beautiful 360 views of Enniscorthy and the surrounding area. There is a free car park available and from here it is just a couple of minutes walk along the paved path to the top of the hill.
Courtown Woods
40-minute drive from hotel
Surrounded by the Owenavorragh River on the north side and the canal on the seaward side to the east, Courtown Woodland dates back to 1870 when the first oak and ash trees were planted. A 40-minute drive from Maldron Hotel Wexford, Courtown Woods features a playground, a fabulous sandy beach and various woodland walks.
There are 4 walks to choose from, both short and easy, taking you to different areas of the woods. The River Walk is a nice walk along the Owenavorragh River while the High Cross Walk leads you to the 2.5m high High Cross of Kilbride, the sole reminder of an early Christian church in the area. Whichever walk you take you are guaranteed to have a peaceful retreat in beautiful surroundings.
Raven Point Wood
20-minute drive from hotel
Located adjacent to Curracole Beach, a 20-minute drive from Maldron Hotel Wexford, Raven Point Wood is a stunning area of woodland covering approximately 600 acres of land.
The Raven Point Wood walking trail is a great walk, taking you through the beautiful sand dunes – formed in the 1600s, and the stunning woodlands. The trail is an easy walk for all the family to enjoy and in total is roughly 6.5km, mostly flat through the forest with views of the North Slobs Wildlife sanctuary and Raven Point itself
Ring of Hook Drive
40-minute drive to Hook Lighthouse from hotel
Hook Peninsula is one of the most popular attractions for those visiting Wexford. It has amazing scenery on one side and the Irish Sea on the other. This drive will take you through narrow and winding country roads with pretty villages along the way with some interesting history behind them. The drive takes in some of the county’s most popular tourist attractions such as Hook Lighthouse, Duncannon Fort, Ballyhack Castle and Tintern Abbey. Additional charges for entry to these locations may be required. The drive itself takes just over one hour from start to finish but we suggest taking a day to explore all the beautiful stops along the way.
The Blackstairs Mountains
45-minute drive from hotel
The Blackstairs Mountains run along the main ridgeline separating Carlow from Wexford. The highest peak is Mount Leinster which dominates the skyline at 794 metres high. At the top of the mountains, you will be treated to some really impressive views, in all directions of the Wexford and Carlow area. The mountains are also appealing to hikers with many different trails to follow
To the east of the mountains second highest peak, you will find a 30-metre metal cross marking the spot of two fatal aeroplane crashes – a German bomber in 1941 and a Cessna 182 in 1983.
St Aidan’s Cathedral
25-minute drive from hotel
St Aidan’s Cathedral, situated in Enniscorthy, 25-minutes’ drive from Maldron Hotel Wexford, was built in 1843 using locally sourced Ordovician rock with Wicklow granite dressings. The exterior of the cathedral is quite impressive, with the spire dominating the surrounding countryside.
This interior is equally remarkable, containing stained glass panels by Lobin of Tours, Mayer of Munich, and Earley of Dublin, a pipe organ supplied by White and Son, Dublin, an altar signed by James Pearse (1839-1900) and Edmund Sharpe (1853-1930) of Dublin.
The Gaslamp Gallery
40-minute drive from hotel
The Gaslamp Gallery is a contemporary modern gallery, located in the popular town of Gorey, a 40-minute drive from Maldron Hotel Wexford. The gallery offers a unique and relaxed space to view a diverse selection of work from local, national and international artists. The aim of the Gaslamp Gallery is to make acquiring art an easy and enjoyable experience in a friendly and informal environment.
Rosslare Strand Beach
20-minute drive from hotel
Rosslare Strand is another fabulous Blue Flag beach in Wexford, located next to Rosslare Village, at the southern end of Wexford Harbour. A short 20-minute drive from Maldron Hotel Wexford, Rosslare Strand is comprised of sand and stone running the length of the southern peninsula.
This beautiful beach is perfect for a refreshing swim (a lifeguard is on duty during the bathing season), a tranquil walk or just unwinding and taking in the calming sea.
Maldron Hotel Wexford
Situated on the outskirts of Wexford town, Maldron Hotel Wexford is the perfect location for your next visit to Wexford. Our Club Vitae Leisure Centre is home to the best gym in Wexford and a 20m swimming pool with a dedicated kid’s pool. Maldron Hotel Wexford boasts large, spacious, newly refurbished bedrooms with a modern and warm design, perfect for a great night’s sleep after a busy day.
