Co. Wexford

Wexford is the first county I arrived in when I arrived to work in Ireland in December 2002. There was no welcome party at Rosslare but I was greeted by a big storm, which made my first driving experience on the left-hand side of the road really challenging!

This county is actually one of the last I had visited during my tours of Ireland. It’s a nice part of Ireland to be visited at spring or summer time, when nature is blooming. Between its beaches, its hills and its castles, Co. Wexford will offer a nice selection of things to do and to see.

Wexford Town: it took me only 18 years, but I eventually visited Wexford Town in 2021... Great town, great atmosphere, nice walks around the quays.

Wexford Town: Henrietta Street

Wexford Town: After crossing the bridge lead into the main town.

Wexford Town: boats on the Quays

Wexford Town by Sunset: boats on the Quays

Wexford Bridge

Curracloe Beach: If you've seen Saving Private Ryan, you may not know a lot of the scenes were taken in this location. Most Irish people know it, but I wasn't living in Ireland when it was filmed, so I only discovered it while planning my last trip to Wexford. I enjoyed spending hours strolling on the (cold) sand over there, looking at clouds loaded with rain and watching people.

Curracloe Beach: SurfSharkIreland students going back home

Curracloe Beach: SurfSharkIreland students going surfing

Dunes around Curracloe

Duncannon fort

Dollar Bay: absolute gem of a beach... but it's difficult to access. There is no proper parking area, so it may be more sensitive parking your car a little bit further on height and walk, or to cycle.

I was lucky I could park close by, but it was definitely not easy to turn back.

Dollar Bay: worth every penny ;-)

Slade Castle

Sometimes it pays off to chat with the locals. While visiting briefly Duncannon, I talked to a beach lifeguard. As I mentioned that I was heading to Hook Head, she suggested that I stop in Slade village and walk by the cliffs. Mission accepted: it was a fantastic walk and the landscapes were fantastic. Definitely worth a try if you're not tight on time and happy to walk.

2 locals chatting in Slade Port

Hook Head

After leaving my job and life in Dublin in 2010, Hook Head was the first outdoor site I visited. It was a special moment for me to go back to that lovely spot 11 years later (give or take).

Hook Head

Carrigfoyle Lake

Lovely spot, which is probably a victim from its own success. Note that walking trails there are clearly defined (for safety and to prevent erosion I imagine) so you won't be able to take photos wherever you want.

Carrigfoyle Lake

Great Saltee Island

One thing we forget when going to Great Saltee Island is to check out the fantastic views. We're all so obsessed with "shooting" birds (puffins in particular), that it's easy to miss incredible landscape opportunities.

View from Great Saltee Islands: Next step: France!

Puffins on Great Saltee Island

I went on the island with reasonably low expectations, knowing I didn't have the worst, nor the best gear to take photos of birds. I was definitely planning to get that kind of shots with bokeh, and it's definitely my favourite shot of that trip.

Puffins on Great Saltee Island

The 2 Saltee Islands are private, belonging to two different owners. There's only one house on the biggest island (Great Saltee).

Another puffin for the road ;-)