Wexford Opera Festival Tours 2025
As part of your Festival experience, join one of the very popular Festival Historical tours,
curated by historian, Bernard Browne, on behalf of Wexford Historical Society. Part of the
Festival since the early 1950’s, these FREE historical tours are led by expert guides and
explore places of historical interest in Wexford town and County, some well-known, some
lesser-known. From main attractions to hidden stories, it’s a chance to learn about this rich
region and to enhance your overall Festival experience.
The tours leave the Talbot Hotel car park, unless otherwise stated, at 10:30 am sharp and
are scheduled to return to Wexford at 1:00pm, in time to enjoy the afternoon Festival
events. No car? – don’t worry. People who have cars make room for those without. Another
chance to make new friends! The tours are open to everyone and are free of charge.
Saturday, October 18 – Wexford Town
An exploration of the surprising cultural, social and industrial life of Wexford town in the
1830s. Tour guide Carmel Foley will provide a snapshot of what life was like for our
Wexford ancestors.
Monday, October 20 – Nemestown shore, Kilmore, Co Wexford
A walking tour along the beach and rocky shoreline in the fishing village of Kilmore Quay.
The tour examines a 620-million-year-old rock outcrop unique in Ireland, a raised beach, St
Patrick’s Bridge (an unusual landform allegedly constructed by Ireland’s patron saint),
seashore wildlife, and more. With naturalist Jim Hurley.
Tuesday, October 21 – New Ross, Co Wexford
The William Cavanagh historic photographs and new Art in New Ross, home to The Ros
Tapestry and the Dunbrody Centre. Explore William Marshall’s medieval town with
historian Brian Matthews.
Wednesday, October 22 – Oylegate, Co Wexford
A visit to Edermine House Chapel built by Sir John Power of Distillery fame with its exposed
hammerbeam stencil work. This is a rare opportunity to see a magnificent chapel, with
design attributed to Pugin family, as well as the adjacent curvilinear glasshouse. If time
permits, a visit to four-storey over basement Kilcarbry Tower Corn Mill erected by Francis
Davis Junior. The tour guide is Author and Historian Willie French.
Thursday, October 23 – Ardcavan, Wexford
This tour will take us along part of William Dargan’s Sea Wall that he and John Edward
Redmond Sr. built in 1847 to take in 2000 acres of land from the sea. The intake is called
the ‘North Slob’ and is now the winter home of many thousands of waterfowl. These
include nearly half the population of Greenland White-fronted Geese. The geese and other
birds usually arrive around Wexford Opera Festival time. Led by Dominic Berridge, Cultural
historian and former Head Wildlife Warden.
Friday, October 24 – Mayglass, Co Wexford
A tour of three ruined medieval churches. St Fintan at Mayglass was under the care of the
Dean of Ferns cathedral and retains a doorway of c.1200. St Moshagra at Tomhaggard has a
nave of partly 10/11th-century date. St Munna at Churchtown, Tacumshin, displays
outstanding evidence of how a medieval church was furnished, including an early-14th-
century tombstone. The tour will also consider how they reached their present ruinous
condition. The tour is led by Author and architectural historian Dr Richard Gem.
Saturday, October 25 – Tachumshane, Co Wexford
Visit the 16 th century tower Sigginstown Castle which has been meticulously restored by the
owners and the beautiful and historic Butlerstown Tower House near Tomhaggard with
Author and historian Jarlath Glynn.
Monday, October 27 – Crossabeg
A visit to Crossabeg and Saunderscourt Gate Lodges and the triumphal arch which are a rare
surviving example of Palladian architecture in County Wexford. The important Gate Lodges
are currently being restored. The tour will be led by Author and local historian John Foley.
Tuesday, October 28 – Barntown, Wexford
The Religious Society of Friends have been part of the fabric of County Wexford life for
generations. Explore their remarkable story of the early Pioneering Quakers as the tour will
visit sites associated them at Barntown, Lambstown and Corlican with Quaker Historian
Paddy Kinsella.
Wednesday October 29 – Wexford Town
A visit to Wexford town’s iconic Selskar Abbey, officially known as ‘the Canons Regular of St.
Augustine Priory of SS Peter and Paul’. Selskar’s Augustinian Priory and its graveyard and
19 th century church designed by John Semple as built on a site with a multi-storied history
going back to the Viking era. With historian John Mc Cormack.
Thursday, October 30 – Fethard on Sea, Co Wexford
A mile of history in Fethard on Sea. A walking tour through Killarney to Grangeville, the
former home of Godfrey Taylor, the land agent of the Marquis of Ely. Not far from his
residence is the flagstaff, a symbol of landlordism, and the famous Fethard Castle inscribed
stone. A guided walk through the graveyard of St. Mogues Church to Parliament Street,
College Street and onto Dynamite Row and Obstruction Terrace. If energy levels hold up, a
trip to the inscribed stone of Baginbun and the Norman fortifications will complete the
historic mile. An intriguing and unique tour with Fethard on Sea Author and Historian Liam
Ryan.
Friday, October 31 – Oulart Hill and Village, Co Wexford
A visit to Oulart Hill and the United Irish Memorial, Tulach a’ tSolais memorial to 1798. This
magnificent memorial was designed by internationally renowned, Gorey-born sculpture, the
late Michael Warren (1940-2025). The tour will also include a visit to Oulart Village, Mise
Éire 1916 memorial, and audio-visual presentation on 1798 at the Bygone Days House of
Stories with the promise of tea and Halloween brack! Led by Author and Historian Brian
Cleary.
Saturday, November 1 – Ferns, Co Wexford
A visit to historic Ferns and its association with many of the leading figures and pivotal
events in Irish history. Explore the thriving village’s unique history and Ferns Castle, which
was the political base of Diarmait Mac Murchada, King of Leinster. With Historian and
expert guide, Catherine MacPartlin.
