Page 90 - Our Wexford

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

Explore the cornerstone of Ireland’s Ancient East

An age-old gateway into lighthouses in the world. Take a Hear the tales of the passengers
Ireland, County Wexford is tour of the Medieval lighthouse aboard the replica Dunbrody
steeped in history dating back tower, built in the 13th Century Famine Ship berthed at the quays
to the Stone Age, over 6,000 by William Marshal, the Earl of of New Ross town. The characters
years ago. Journey through time Pembroke, on the tip of the Hook of the ship bring the story of the
and meet our ancestors - Celts, Peninsula at Hook Lighthouse. Irish Famine and emigration
Christians, Vikings, Normans, Close by, also on the Hook to the ‘New World’ (America)
French, Welsh and English - Peninsula, experience an to life in a gripping tale taken
who have left us a remarkable interactive tour of Loftus Hall, the from the annals of the ship and
heritage, unrivalled anywhere most haunted house in Ireland! reflecting on the experiences of
else in Ireland. Exploring the The 1870s abandoned mansion real passengers.
cornerstone of Ireland’s Ancient with a dark and troubled history is A peaceful visit to the JFK
East and journeying through a must visit. Take the guided tour Memorial Park is certainly a
the ages of Wexford’s history, of the ground floor and hear the must; enjoy wandering the 623
heritage and culture is an
ABOVE: history and legend of Loftus Hall. acres dedicated to the memory
Tintern Abbey opportunity not to be missed. of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The
Closer to the town of New Ross
Visit castles, churches and abbeys, visit the Kennedy Homestead, Arboretum contains over 4,500
battlefields, historic towns and birthplace of President John F. types of trees and shrubs.
villages, great houses and gardens, Kennedy’s great grandfather, Take a step back in time at the
windmills and forts. Explore the which celebrates the story of this Irish National Heritage Park.
world’s oldest lighthouse, Ireland’s famous Irish American family. Surprises await around every
biggest open-air museum, and its The visitor experience is set in the turn from campsite to ringfort,
most famous Famine ship!
original farmyard incorporating from mill to Fulacht Fiadh, from
The pillars of Ireland’s Ancient a unique guided tour, audio- crannog to Viking house and
East include stories of 800 years of visual display and photographic more. Take an incredible journey
light keeping at one of the oldest exhibition. through 9,000 years of Ireland’s

90 OUR WEXFORD