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Wexford - a jewel in our festival crown
AMY WHELAN, Chief Executive of Wexford Tourism introduces Wexford as an Autumn Break.
Wexford and Opera — a jewel in Ireland’s festival Crown.
From small beginnings, as the dreams of four ordinary Wexford citizens, to a jewel of the opera circuit, that is the story of Wexford’s Festival Opera.
In 1951, four men with a passion for opera had a dream. They wondered if Wexford could sustain a short season of operas. With the encouragement of some luminaries of the arts they decided to flesh out that dream. They conceived an idea to produce rare or little — known operas in a small intimate theatre almost hidden behind the façade of town houses on a narrow street in a small town of Ireland. Half a century later and the festival is going strong. It plays to packed houses over three weeks each October and November, attracting performers, critics and audiences from around the globe.
But what is the attraction of Wexford Festival Opera? The operas are rare and little — known, but the atmosphere and quality of performance is legendary. The fringe events in themselves are worth coming to Wexford for, three packed weeks of art and literary exhibitions, craft displays, window competitions, singing pubs (or maybe swinging), light opera, food festivals, as well as musicales.
Wexford Town is a jewel in Ireland’s crown. It’s cultural heritage extends beyond the opera to Oscar Wilde who was born in the town, as was the mother of Sir Thomas Moore, indeed a visit to Moore’s Tavern is a must — the oldest hostelry in the town. The best way to investigate the historic and cultural development of Wexford is with a walking tour; John Bailey the tour guide will provide an animated stroll through the narrow streets and alleys. Tours depart from the Westgate Heritage Centre Mondays- Saturday.
From prehistoric times Co. Wexford has been noted as ‘the cock pit of Irish History’. Proximity to Wales made it an entry point for earliest man. Viking raiders settled here in the 10th century and their genetic legacy is still evident in the character and names of people. The Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig about three km outside of Wexford is a wonderful nature and history park detailing over 9,000 years of Celt, Viking and Norse settlements in Wexford and Ireland. The Fulacht Fiadh (pronounced foo-lockt-fee-aaah — as in pulling out a tooth) Restaurant at the park is a great place to lunch and the craft shop stocks a superb range of local giftware and crafts. Other centres worth visiting are the Dunbrody Ship in New Ross, this life-size replica of a four-mast baroque, is a multi — award winning centre of excellence, but beware the captain and crew have some harsh realities to impart with you and before you know it you could be commandeered as a deck hand!
Scott Hulme, travel writer with The Times ‘says of another of Wexford’s hidden treasures: “From the top of hook lighthouse, the sea is a blue grey skin stretched across the world. How inviting the bays and low lying headlands of Co. Wexford must have appeared to those invaders who 800 years earlier sailed from over the horizon”. Certainly the views from the top of Hook Lighthouse are breathtaking, the oldest operational lighthouse in Europe, you will really feel the strength and magic of nature at this beautiful spot.
Wexford town is a shopper’s paradise with its narrow streets packed with craft shops and boutiques and so many pubs that we’ve stopped counting! A good place to base yourself is the newly opened Quality Hotel. Room rates are available, and the leisure centre is almost too inviting, you may not be able to motivate yourself to leave!
The county has three other equally good shopping towns too. Enniscorthy on the River Slaney is a shoe — lovers heaven, home to Irelands oldest pottery along with four other potter workshops it a heaven for local handmade crafts too. When in Enniscorthy, a stop at the award — winning 1798 Centre is a must. The latest multi media technology explores Ireland’s turbulent history with the British, and besides its wonderful coffee and craft shop and tourism information centre is also housed here. The nearby Riverside park hotel houses Wexford’s best Mexican eatery, but beware come early as it is a packed house every night at the Alamo.
Gorey is Wexford’s market town. Located up north of the county, this busy town is best known with the Irish for its adjoining blue flag seaside resort — Courtown Harbour. Forest Park leisure and activity centre is a great place for kiddies and grown — ups too.
Getting to and from Wexford is the best part. Stena Line operates twice-daily sailings from Fishguard into Rosslare and The Kilrane Inn, en-route from the harbour, is a good spot for a bite of lunch.
So check out County Wexford for an autumn escape, right now we have special rates, for midweek or weekend breaks and special offers for the Over 55s too. Check out www.wexfordtourism.com/shopping for the latest deals or ring for a free brochure on 00 353 53 52900.
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