festival guide - Discover Ireland

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HOOK HEAD LIGHTHOUSE - voted the world’s most ‘Flashiest’ Lighthouses by
The Lonely Plant. The Visitor Centre at Hook Lighthouse is at the tip of the Hook
Peninsula.The centre offers guided tours of the lighthouse tower, one of the oldest
operational lighthouses in the world.
IRISH NATIONAL HERITAGE PARK - A visit to the Irish National Heritage Park
is like no other you can imagine. Surprises await around every turn from campsite
to Ringfort, from mill to Fulacht Fiadh, from Crannog to Viking house, every activity
is an unexpected adventure into 9,000 years.
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE - The harmony between great Victorian revival castles
and their surrounding ornamental grounds is rarely seen to such perfection as at
Johnstown Castle.
The Irish Agricultural Museum is a premier cultural site also located at Johnstown
Castle.
ENNISCORTHY CASTLE - Recently renovated and refurbished, Enniscorthy
Castle explores the development of the castle and town from its earliest 12th
Century Anglo-Norman origins, through the 16th century. The exhibitions also
explore the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy and the work of Irish furniture designer and
architect Eileen Gray born in 1878 just outside Enniscorthy.
THE DUNBRODY FAMINE SHIP - The Dunbrody was a 19th Century threemasted sailing ship that brought many emigrants from Ireland to North America
during and after the Great Famine.
An exact replica of this 176ft long 19th century ship was constructed and
completed in 2001. Today she rests at the New Ross quay beside a fascinating
state-of-the -art visitor centre and The Irish American Hall of Fame.
KILMORE QUAY - The beautiful Kilmore Quay a small fishing village is noted
for its white washed thatched cottages and relaxed and friendly atmosphere. A
favourite with anglers, wildlife lovers and families, fishing boats ferry day trippers
out to the famous Saltees Islands from the quay.
VISIT
Wexford
At the core of the Sunny South East of Ireland, County
Wexford has it all.
From undulating countryside to rolling waves, to pretty
coastal villages and vibrant Wexford town to the rolling
rich green fields of peaceful rural Wexford to the golden
sands of the 200 kilometres of Wexford coastline.
Family fun is never short on offer in Wexford. The county’s
towns and villages are fun filled centres where food, crafts,
history and cultural activities are everyday events..
Wexford is an exciting place to holiday with children
offering miles of clean sandy beaches, forest walks and
the National Heritage Park to name but a few. Whether
the weather demands an ice cream or umbrella there is
always something to do!
For information on holidaying in Wexford, news on events
and festivals
THE NATIONAL 1798 VISITOR CENTRE - The National 1798 Visitor Centre in
the shadow of Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy tells the epic and heroic tale of the 1798
Rebellion and its aftermath using the latest multi-media and interactive exhibits.
explore www.visitwexford.ie
THE JFK ARBORETUM - Dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy,
President of the United States from 1960 to 1963, The JFK Arboretum is a plant
collection of international standing. 252 acres on the southern slopes and summit
of Slievecoiltia featuring 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions
of the world, planted in botanical sequence.
Find us on www.facebook.com/visitwexford and Follow us
on Twitter @visitwexford
WEXFORD HARBOUR - Wexford Harbour and its Slobs are natural havens for
birds and Wexford Widlfowl Reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and enthusiasts.
FERNS CASTLE - Ferns Castle was built in the 13th century, possibly by William,
Earl Marshall. Originally, the castle formed a square, with large corner towers.
Now, only half of the castle now remains.The most complete tower contains a fine
circular chapel, with carved ornaments.
WEXFORD OPERA HOUSE - Wexford Opera House is Ireland’s first custombuilt, multi-purpose opera house. The stunning landmark building is nestled in
the heart of the beautiful Harbour town of Wexford and offers two diverse
performance spaces.
FESTIVAL
GUIDE
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THE DUNCANNON SANDSCULPTING FESTIVAL
The Duncannon Sandsculpting Festival happens from
August 12th to 14th. This festival is action packed with
fun events on beautiful Duncannon beach, fantastic
fireworks, beach party, magic and puppet shows, beach
games, street theatre and sand sculpting.
AUGUST
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
THE SUNSET FESTIVAL
The Sunset Festival in Gorey takes place on July 31st.
Gorey’s prime Music Festival has a fantastic line
up of music from Republic Of Loose, Bipolar
Empire, Ham Sandwhich, Touch Wood, Donna Marie
Sludds & Band, Bocs Social and Chucky’s River with
more to be announced.
SEPTEMBER
ALL DAY ARTS FESTIVAL
An All Day Arts Festival takes place in The Bullring,
Wexford on July 31st.
NEW ROSS PIANO FESTIVAL
The reknowned New Ross Piano Festival takes place
in the town from September 22nd to 25th. The festival
features a weekend of classical concerts, a two-piano
festival, free al fresco jazz piano sessions and
masterclasses.
SEPTEMBER
JULY & AUGUST
EILEEN AROON FESTIVAL
Eileen Aroon Festival takes place in Bunclody,
Co Wexford from July 27th to August 01st. This
festival of outdoor street entertainment features
kid’s day, street tug of war and carnival. The in-pub
entertainment consists of pub talent, quizzes and
Mr & Mrs competition.
MUSIC FESTIVAL COIS FHARRAIGE
Music festival Cois fharraige will be held in Ardcavan in
Co.Wexford over three days from September 9th to
11th. The Festival is aimed at promoting surfing and
water sports during the day, with concerts featuring
major headline artists held under canvass at night time.
Acts are to be announced so ‘Stay Tuned’!
HARVEST FESTIVAL
The Harvest Festival Horticultural Show will be
open to the public on Sunday, September 25th at the
Community Centre, Killrane (near Rosslare Harbour).
The Harvest Festival is targeted towards gardeners
throughout Wexford who are passionate about growing
and showing their home produced fruit, flowers and
vegetables. The show will include novelty vegetables,
floral art, a children’s section and arts and crafts.
Events
LIST OF
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.
9.
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival
TRI795 Sprint Triathlon
JFK Dunbrody Festival
Ireland’s Festival of Plein Air Painting
Eileen Aroon Festival
All Day Arts Festival
The Sunset Festival
The Duncannon Sandsculpting Festival
Wexford Kite - Surfing Festival
The UK & Ireland Field Archery Championships
Music Festival Cois fharraige
New Ross Piano Festival
Harvest festival
Gorey Halloween Festival
Wexford Opera Festival
Wexworld’s Sci-Fi and Fantasy Festival
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Gorey
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Bunclody
PIC
OCTOBER
JULY & AUGUST
IRELAND’S FESTIVAL OF PLEIN AIR PAINTING
Ireland’s Festival of Plein Air Painting takes place from
July 26th until August 5th. This unique festival offers
the opportunity to take part in ‘Painting outdoors;
those who prefer to watch can enjoy observing artists
creating paintings on the streets in unique settings
throughout Wexford.
THE UK & IRELAND FIELD ARCHERY
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The UK & Ireland Field Archery Championships take
place from August 27th to 29th on the grounds of the
historic and beautiful Tintern Abbey.
OCTOBER
JULY
JFK DUNBRODY FESTIVAL
The annual JFK Dunbrody Festival takes place from
July 22nd to 24th in New Ross. This varied festival
features live open air music, markets, arts and crafts
and with a particular focus on international
connections and the Irish Diaspora with the focal
point of the festival being the Dunbrody Famine Ship
and the brand new Irish American Hall of Fame.
WEXFORD KITE - SURFING FESTIVAL
Wexford Kite - Surfing Festival takes place at
Duncannon Beach from August 20th to 21st. A
display of Ireland’s best Kitesurfers showcasing
the fastest growing sport in the world.
NOVEMBER
JULY
JULY
TRI795 SPRINT TRIATHLON
On Saturday July 9th the Tri795 Sprint Triathlon takes
place at the foothills of Mount Leinster near Bunclody.
The event is open to seasoned and newbie tri-athletes.
AUGUST
KILMORE QUAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
The 26th annual Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival takes
place from July 7th to 11th. The festival celebrates the
very best of Seafood, Music, Street Theatre, Stalls,
Exhibitions and the famous Seafood Platters.
JULY
Events
JULY
FESTIVAL
GOREY HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
Halloween Weekend sees Gorey town host a ‘Gorey
Halloween Festival’ with scary events on offer for all
the family including Scary Storytelling, Fancy Dress,
Markets, Pumpkin Carving and more.
WEXFORD OPERA FESTIVAL
The 60th annual Wexford Opera Festival will take
place from October 21st to November 6th. This
internationally unique festival is one of the most
loved opera festivals in the world, specialising in the
presentation of rarely performed Opera and superb
fringe events.
WEXWORLDS SCI-FI AND FANTASY FESTIVAL
Taking place throughout Wexford town the
Wexworlds Sci-Fi and Fantasy Festival takes place from
November 18th to 20th offering entertainment and
pause for thought, as a celebration of fiction of the
fantastic takes place. A variety of events will be on
offer including artistic creativity for children, an art
exhibition and a cabaret to name a few.
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Ferns
Enniscorthy
New
Ross
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12
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Taghmon
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Duncormick
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Duncannon
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Wexford Town
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Kilmore Quay
Rosslare
Harbour