Visiting Wexford in '05
Nov 8th, 2004, 02:49 PM
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Visiting Wexford in '05
My wife and I will be visiting Dublin and County Wexford next year to allow me to walk in the footsteps of my ancestors. Having never visited before, I'd like to request the assistance of Fodor Forum-ites to help us plan "must-see", "must-do" activities while on the east. We probably only have six days and nights max to make this visit memorable.
Nov 8th, 2004, 06:43 PM
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A lot will depend upon the time of year, as well as your preferred 'modus operendi' (spelling has obviously never been my strong suite)vis-a-vis travel. Will you be content to forego many of the 'must-see' attractions in the West of Ireland, or do you plan to 'marathon tour' for all six days?
IMHO, six days to tour Dublin Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary would be quite adequate (you could, in fact cover even less, in that time and STILL not see it all). That would still leave nearly 3/4ths of the Emerald Isle unseen, but that is exactly why most of us here keep returning again and again.
Give us more details and I'm sure you will be amply rewarded.
IMHO, six days to tour Dublin Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary would be quite adequate (you could, in fact cover even less, in that time and STILL not see it all). That would still leave nearly 3/4ths of the Emerald Isle unseen, but that is exactly why most of us here keep returning again and again.
Give us more details and I'm sure you will be amply rewarded.
Nov 8th, 2004, 11:18 PM
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If you know precisely where your ancestors come from, and if following them in some detail is important, plan that first so you know how much time you've got left for joyriding.
If you don't, be aware that Co Wexford has virtually nowhere you can walk in and investigate (though individual Catholic or CofI priests may be helpful with access to their registers). Pretty well all the records are better accessible in Dublin, are spread over several places and are very time-consuming to trawl through. Do all the research you possibly can before leaving home. If you haven't done the research, remember that Irish surnames are very common in Ireland: there were an AWFUL lot of Patrick Kehoes in 19th century Co Wexford (and even more Keatings, Kellys etc), and unless you know when and precisely where they lived, you won't get much out of the trip.
Unless you're an opera fan (in which case organise your trip round the Wexford Opera Festival), don't plan on spending more time than is demanded by ancestor-chasing in County Wexford itself. Your ancestors probably lost no more time getting out of it than mine: there are much nicer things to see in Wicklow and Dublin than the rather manufactured "heritage" stuff that's been developed in Co Wexford ever since JFK got elected.
It's a perfectly pleasant part of Ireland. But Irish driving is always slower than you expect, and it'd be a shame if all you had time for were Dublin suburbs and a few back roads between Ballythis and Ballythat.
If you don't, be aware that Co Wexford has virtually nowhere you can walk in and investigate (though individual Catholic or CofI priests may be helpful with access to their registers). Pretty well all the records are better accessible in Dublin, are spread over several places and are very time-consuming to trawl through. Do all the research you possibly can before leaving home. If you haven't done the research, remember that Irish surnames are very common in Ireland: there were an AWFUL lot of Patrick Kehoes in 19th century Co Wexford (and even more Keatings, Kellys etc), and unless you know when and precisely where they lived, you won't get much out of the trip.
Unless you're an opera fan (in which case organise your trip round the Wexford Opera Festival), don't plan on spending more time than is demanded by ancestor-chasing in County Wexford itself. Your ancestors probably lost no more time getting out of it than mine: there are much nicer things to see in Wicklow and Dublin than the rather manufactured "heritage" stuff that's been developed in Co Wexford ever since JFK got elected.
It's a perfectly pleasant part of Ireland. But Irish driving is always slower than you expect, and it'd be a shame if all you had time for were Dublin suburbs and a few back roads between Ballythis and Ballythat.
Nov 8th, 2004, 11:24 PM
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Given the time restrictions, best concentrate on Dublin and Wexford and points in between. That is Wicklow (Glendalough, Avoca etc), Waterford, Cashel (the Rock of), Kilkenny, Cahir.
Flanneruk forgot to mention Bally-the-other, but no doubt you'll find it.
Flanneruk forgot to mention Bally-the-other, but no doubt you'll find it.
Nov 9th, 2004, 04:29 AM
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If you are into opera & pubs, I can highly recommend the Wexford Opera Festival which next year is 20 October-6 November - www.wexfordopera.com. It is great fun. There are several good restaurants in Wexford town.
Nov 9th, 2004, 10:49 AM
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While we prefer the South and West, we still enjoyed parts of the East. Do visit Glendalough and the old Monastic village http://www.bamjam.net/Ireland/Glenda.html. And this site is free-do not pay the price for the small tour inside the tuorist office-not at all worth it-they will even tell you this. Avoca handweavers was interesting-but really didn't take that much time.The shop is small but cute. We enjoyed spending half a day at Powerscourt about 20 mins outside of Dublin-Beautiful grounds and gardens and a wonderful place to sit outside and eat a delicious lunch from their cafe. There is a nice waterfall there-but you have to pay to go up to it since it is on someones property. While in Dublin we were glad we got there late in the afternoon-went to dinner-did sightseeing the next day went to dinner and left in the morning. It was a perfect amount of time to get in what we wanted..I got up in the morning and went running in St Steven Green(our hotel was close by). The Doors of Dublin around that area are fun to look at. Its great that people take such care of thier houses around there. We went to Trinity college to see the book of Kells, Did CHrist Church, St. patricks cathedral, the Guiness Factory tour and shopping on Grafton street. We ate dinner mainly in Temple bar. We
also loved the Rock of Cashel(but I'd say this is more mid Ireland) take the informative tour of the Rock we really enjoyed it. And hopefully you'll want to visit again and go to the south and west. We loved Ireland on our honeymoon!
also loved the Rock of Cashel(but I'd say this is more mid Ireland) take the informative tour of the Rock we really enjoyed it. And hopefully you'll want to visit again and go to the south and west. We loved Ireland on our honeymoon!
