Welcome to Enniscorthy, Co Wexford which is an ideal base for touring the treasures of the “Sunny” South East of Ireland. There are a number of recommended driving routes which await you and they take in some of the South East’s most treasured sights and attractions.
Please note the length of the drives are approximate.
The Cathedral Route
Route:Enniscorthy, New Ross, Carlow Enniscorthy
Distance 155km (96 miles)
Recommended Time 1 Day
This pleasant route through Counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford takes in many of the Regions best known Ecclesiastical Visitor Attractions along the Barrow and Slaney Rivers. Departing from the Ancient Norman Settlement and Cathedral Town of Enniscorthy on the River Slaney heading to New Ross along the N25, you’ll reach the Town of New Ross featuring the Dunbrody Famine Ship docked along the Quays and Ros Tapestry. The route continues on the R705 through St Mullins which is a scenic and charming village on the river Barrow with an impressive Ecclesiastical history. Continuing to Graiguenamanagh you can visit Duiske Abbey and early Cistercian Church in Ireland built around 1204. Gowran is home of St Mary’s medieval Collegiate Church. The route returns by the cathedral Town of Carlow, which now hosts a dedicated Ecclesiastical Trail and drives south through the pretty Town of Tullow, home to the beautiful Altamount Gardens which welcome visitors & Bunclody. Returning to Enniscorthy by the N80 joining the N11.
Nore Valley and Barrow River Route
Route:Enniscorthy, Kilkenny, Carlow, Enniscorthy
Distance 217km (134 miles)
Recommended Time 1 Day
Starting out in the bustling Market Town of Enniscorthy, drive along the N30 turning right before the Port Town of New Ross, Home of the Dundrody Famine Ship docked along the quays and Ros Tapestry. Entering Inistioge from the R700, Home of the beautifully preserved Woodstock Gardens and House. This Road takes you to Thomastown where you can visit Jerpoint Abbey one of the most interesting and best preserved Cistercian ruins in the Country. Bennetsbridge is home to many renowned Craft Shops including Nicholas Mosse Pottery and also the Nore View Folk Museum. Travel onwards to Kilkenny City Ireland’s Medieval Capital where four Medieval Abbeys and attractive covered slipways are only some of the Historical features on offer. On the N78 stopping to visit the Dunmore Caves, you will reach the vibrant Market Town of Carlow. Heading South on your return Journey through the beautiful and Historic Towns of Gowran, Graiguenamanagh and St Mullins back to your starting point of Enniscorthy.
The Three River Route
Enniscorthy, New Ross, Kilkenny, Enniscorthy
Distance:169km (104 miles)
Recommended Time 1 Day
This charming Route takes you through the many picturesque towns along the River of the Barrow the Nore & the Slaney. Enniscorthy which is overlooked by the 1798 battle site of Vinegar hill and where you can visit the 1798 Rebellion Centre is the perfect set off point. Travel the N30 to New Ross home of the Dunbrody Famine Ship, JFK Arboretum, Ros Tapestry & Kennedy Homestead. Follow the Nore Valley on the R700 to the pretty town of Inistioge where the Hollywood film Circle of Friends was shot. Onto Kilkenny City where the fully restored Anglo Norman Kilkenny Castle looms magnificent over the River Nore. On your return trip on N10 through Gowran an important ecclesiastical heritage site on to Goresbridge, a scenic spot popular for cruising and angling. North East along to Bunclody the attractive market town at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountain making your way back on the N80 joining the N11 for Enniscorthy.
Towns & Cities
Enniscorthy, New Ross, Waterford, Kilkenny, Enniscorthy
Distance: 206km (128 Miles)
Recommended Time 1 Day
Starting from the Market Town of Enniscorthy, down the N30 to New Ross, the Ancestral Home of John F Kennedy and Home of the Dunbrody Famine Ship and on the N25 to the City of Waterford, Irelands first City with a wealth of fine Historic and Contemporary Visitor Attractions including Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, Waterford Museum of Treasures and Edmund Rice Heritage Centre. Leaving Waterford travelling North on the N9 or N10 through Mullinavat, into the medieval Capital of Ireland. Kilkenny is a treat to explore on foot with many striking 11th & 12th Century Structures including the magnificent Kilkenny Castle. On your return trip on the R700 and staying with the Nore Valley visit Bennetsbridge home to some of the best craft shops, through the picturesque village of Inistioge and visit the beautifully maintained Gardens of Woodstock on making your way back to the Town of Enniscorthy on the N30.
Town, City, Coast & Country Route
Enniscorthy, Wexford town, Hook Head, New Ross, Enniscorthy
Distance 223km ( 138 Miles )
Recommended Time 1 Day
Leaving from the Norman Settlement Town of Enniscorthy, head South on the N11 to the Ancient Viking Settlement of Wexford Town, with origins dating back to the 2nd Century and continue on the N25 where you will reach the popular Blue Flag seaside resort of Rosslare. South of Rosslare, Lady’s Island is an ancient place of pilgrimage and Carnsore Point is a popular International Destination for Bird Watching. East along the coast Kilmore Quay is a pretty village at the head of Bannow Bay. Turning left onto the R736 you’ll reach Fethard-on-Sea and passing the famous Loftus Hall and onto Hook Head, home to the famous Hook Lighthouse one of the last remaining working Light Houses in the World. Continuing around the Hook Peninsula to Duncannon, a popular seaside resort which host the annual International Sand Sculpting Festival every Summer. The R733 leads onto New Ross where the Dunbrody Famine Ship and Galley Restaurant are both moored at the Quay New Ross and returning to Enniscorthy via N30.
Surf & Turf Route
Enniscorthy, Gorey ,Wexford, Graiguenamanagh Enniscorthy
Distance: 205 km (128 miles)
Recommended Time 1 Day
Start at the Ancient Norman Settlement Town of Enniscorthy on the River Slaney. Drive North East to Gorey, once a small Market Town and favourite holiday destination for many, it is now one of Ireland’s fastest growing Towns. Close by is the sandy Beaches and Harbour of Courttown popular with families for their Amusement Arcades and Adventure Parks. Following much of the regions stunning coastline into Wexford Town, which has origins dating back to the 2nd Century. A visit to Historic Selskar Abbey offers the perfect setting for understanding the Historical Development of Wexford. Wexford is an energetic, Cosmopolitan mix of old and new cultures home to the Wexford Opera Theatre, which is a state-of-the-art Auditorium which is Ireland’s first fully-specified purpose-built Opera House. From Wexford travel on the N25 to New Ross, the Ancestral Home to John F Kennedy, on to St Mullins, the pretty and ancient Riverside village which will lead into Graiguenamanagah home of Duiske Abbey and the Cushendale Woollen Mills. Leaving on the R705 to Borris and Kiltealy, R702 are nestled in the fertile valley of the River Barrow and lead the way to the pretty Market Town of Bunclody leading back to Enniscorthy.
Staying Locally
Enniscorthy, Curracloe, Wexford,
Distance: 75 km (46 miles)
Recommended Time 1 Day
Starting at the National 1798 Visitor Centre, head towards the coast of the scenic village of Blackwater on the R744, home to Blackwater Petting Farm suitable for all the family. Going southwards along the coast for Curracloe Beach which has received the Blue Flag status, and a famous landmark for the Hollywood Blockbuster Saving Private Ryan starring Tom Hanks. On going towards Wexford Town, you will pass the The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve –with a well-equipped Visitor Centre that has many interesting Exhibitions & Guided Tours. A visit to the Wexford Opera House is a must being, Ireland’s first fully-specified purpose-built Opera House. Leaving Wexford Town to visit the Irish Agricultural Museum at Johnstown Castle and Gardens. On the return Journey to Enniscorthy on the N11, enter the Irish National Heritage Park, at Ferrycarraig this is the region’s showpiece Exhibition, on a well developed 35 acre site, overlooking the Slaney River. The Irish National Heritage Park is made up of fourteen faithfully replicated sites, depicting man’s first settlement in Ireland
The Garden of Ireland
Enniscorthy, Avoca, Glendalough, Dublin, Enniscorthy
Distance: 75 km (46 miles)
Recommended Time 1 Day
Leaving the ancient Norman Settlement and Cathedral Town of Enniscorthy on the River Slaney, heading North to Wicklow which is drenched in History and Heritage. Stopping at the Town of Avoca in which the BBC series Ballykissangel was filmed. Onto Laragh which is known for its proximity to the Monastic Settlements of Glendalough, Sally Gap, the Glenmacnass Waterfall, Wicklow Gap, and Glenmalure Valley. Arriving from the N11, later in Dublin, where you can take in sightseeing Tour that will show you the highlights of the Capital, including Trinity College, Grafton Street and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Returning South back to Enniscorthy by the N11 bypassing the Towns of Arklow, Gorey & Ferns.
