The Guide Leinster Wexford _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Map of Wexford _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Quick Guide Arthurstown - town on the Hook Peninsula near Bannow Bay which was the first landing place of the Normans who were invited into Ireland by the King of Leinster Dermot MacMurough in 1169, nearby ruins of Tintern Abbey Ballyhack - village on the Hook Peninsula, ferry to Passage East, 15th century Knight Templar Castle, start of the scenic Wexford Coastal path to Kilmichael Point, accommodation Bunclody - nearby Mount Leinster Campile - village on the Hook Peninsula ruined Dunbrody Abbey and ruined Dunbrody Castle Carnsore Point - sandy beach, eateries, camping and carvaning park, nearby Ladys Island and Tacumshin lakes birdwatching areas Courtown - small seaside report with sandy beach, accommodation, eateries, campsite Curracloe - Curracloe Nature Reserve, long sandy Curracloe beach, accommodation, campsite Duncannon - small beach town on the Hook Peninsula and 16th century Duncannon Fort, nearby sandy Booley Strand and Dollar Bay beaches Dunganstown - John F Kennedy Park and Arboretum, views out to the Saltee Islands from Slieve Coillte Hill. Eniscorthy - Eniscorthy Castle, Vinegar Hill battlefield, accommodation, eateries. There are a number of traditional local potteries based around Enniscorthy. The last major battle during the 1798 United Irishmen Rising took place in Enniscorthy, July Strawberry Fair, (Enniscorthy Tourist office Tel: 054 34699) Ferns - Ferns Castle, ruined Saint Eden's and grave of King of Leinster Dermot MacMurough, accommodation, and eateries Fethard on Sea - accommodation on the Hook Peninsula, camping Kilmore Quay - pretty fishing village which has a popular July seafood festival, a maritime museum, accommodation, eateries, pubs, and boat trips to the Saltee Islands New Ross - medium sized town on the River Barrow, ruined 13th century Saint Mary's Church, accommodation, eateries, Thousands were killed in New Ross when the United Irishmen led by Bagnel Harvey and John Kelly tried to take the town during the 1798 Rising. The Berkley Toy and Costume Museum (Tel: 051 21361 IR£3) is near New Ross (New Ross tourist office Tel: 051 21857). Rosslare - busy Rosslare Harbour with ferry connections to Wales and France, accommodation, eateries, campsite, eateries, nearby popular Rosslare Strand Beach (Rosslare Tourist office Tel: 053 33622) Wexford - The County town of Wexford founded on the coast and River Slaney was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, and was then captured by the Normans in 1169 after the King of Leinster Dermot MacMurough invited the Norman conqueror Strongbow to Ireland and offered him his daughter's hand in marriage in exchange for support in his feud with King of Connaught, Tiernan O'Rourke. Cromwell sacked Wexford and slaughtered hundreds after the town refused to surrender to his English forces in 1649. Places to visit in Wexford include the ruins of Selskar Abbey. Sections of the old town walls and the West Gate are still standing. The popular two week Wexford Opera Festival is held in October. Wexford has plenty of accommodation, eateries, pubs, bars and nightclubs, a cinema and the Royal Theatre (Tel: 053 22144 and Wexford Arts Centre (Tel: 053 23764). The Irish National Heritage Park, Johnston Castle and Gardens and the Wexford Wildlife Reserve are all near Wexford Town. (Wexford tourist office Tel: 053 23111). Quick guide to Wexford Inis recommends - Irish National Heritage Park Tourist Attractions _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Design and content by INIS (Irish News Internet Services 1998-99) Contact INIS by emailing inis@irishnews.com or Tel: 01232 322226 Copyright © the Irish News Internet Services