Holiday Guide: 10 Things to do in Wexford for Families
Wexford is at the heart of Ireland’s sunny south east coast and makes for the perfect family holiday destination. Wexford has some of the best beaches in the country with blue flags and activities galore, making it easy to see why we’ve been welcoming families to The Model County year after year
Here’s our list of the best family activities in Wexford:
1. Blackwater Open Farm
Ballinaclash, Blackwater, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Perfect for a fun day out for the whole family, Blackwater Open Farm has both indoor and outdoor activities to suit all types of weather. Outside, you’ll find the farm animals, playground, go kart track, tractor rides and Jessie the life size model milking cow. Indoors there’s an indoor tractor track and the Garden Cafe.
Entry to the farm is priced at €8 per person and a family ticket for two adults and two children is €40. You can buy tickets online or pay when you arrive at the farm.
2. Pirates Cove Adventure Centre
Seamount, Courtown, Co. Wexford
Pirates Cove Adventure Centre is a one stop shop for family entertainment. There’s bowling, adventure golf, fun caves soft play areas, train rides, paddle boats and lots more to enjoy. There are fun attractions both indoors and outdoors making Pirates Cove ideal for any type of weather. After you’ve worked up an appetite from all the excitement, you can head to the cafe for a light bite and refreshments.
There’s no booking required for Pirates Cove. Prices for each attraction can be found on their website, but just to note that certain attractions are closed for the winter season.
3. Active Tribe Courtown Adventure & Leisure
Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co. Wexford
Just a short walk from the village of Courtown Harbour, this award-winning activity centre has three swimming pools, two high ropes courses, a climbing wall, zip wires, laser tag, archery and more. Activities are suited to all ages and are the perfect way to bond with your family. Plus, the kids are bound to sleep after a trip to Active Tribe Courtown Adventure & Leisure!
Pre-booking is advised for the activities at the centre and you can do this through their website.
4. The Irish National Heritage Park
Located just outside Wexford Town, The National Heritage Park is the place to go for a hands-on experience Ireland’s ancient east. The park brings 9,000 of history to life through its 16 reconstructed historical sites set over 40 acres of woodland. Families can take a guided tour to learn about Irish people’s history, visit an archaeological dig and take part in activities such as archery, axe throwing. There’s also a bird of prey show each day and a playground activity area for younger children.
The park opens 362 days a year and tickets can be bought online or upon entry. A family ticket costs €35 and covers two adults and up to three children.
5. Secret Valley Wildlife Park, Zoo & Pet Farm
Set across 14 acres of vast countryside in Ireland’s ancient east, Secret Valley Wildlife Park has something to suit everyone. Each day visitors can bottle feed baby goats, get close up to the reptiles and insects, meet the guinea pigs, rabbits and rats, take pony rides and listen to the keeper’s educational talks about the different animals. Additional experiences such as ‘be a keeper for the day’ are also available.
The park is open all year round and you can buy tickets on arrival or pre-buy them online. Entry for a family of two adults and two children is €35.
6. Johnstown Castle
Johnstown Castle has just reopened following an extensive restoration project that’s restored the building to its full gothic architectural glory. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle to view is 86-metre-long servants’ tunnel, turrets and fascinating interiors. The castle is surrounded by magical landscaped gardens and unmissable lake walks.
7. Agricultural Museum
Also on the grounds of Johnstown Castle, the Agricultural Museum is filled with immersive and interesting displays of Irish farming life throughout the past. There’s a collection of restored tractors and troughs, traditional blacksmith, cooper and wheelwright workshops and the largest display of Irish country furniture. Guests will be given a quiz to fill out as they wander through the museum’s exhibits and there are trails to along the way too. The museum’s Peacock Tea Rooms open out into the courtyard with outdoor seating available on those sunny days.
Tickets for the museum and its gardens can be bought online or on arrival.
8. Kia Ora Mini Farm
For a mini farm, Kia Ora Mini Farm is jam packed with fun activities for the perfect family day out. Their farm animal collection is quite exotic – as well as pigs, cows and chickens, you’ll see ostriches, llamas and buffalo! There are also sand diggers, crazy football, a fire engine, a maze and lots of play areas. Bring a picnic and sit at the provided picnic benches or grab a bite at the farm coffee shop.
Entrance to the farm is €9 per person and includes all the attractions.
9. Hook Lighthouse Visitor Centre
Voted as one of Ireland’s favourite attractions, Hook Lighthouse is the world’s oldest operational lighthouse. Built over 800 years ago, the guided tour at Hook Lighthouse will take you back to medieval times and teach you the ways of a light keeper. Savour the incredible views from the centre’s balcony overlooking miles of uninterrupted seas and take a stroll around the visitor centre to learn more about the area’s fascinating past.
Details for guided tours and visitor centre opening times can be found on Hook Lighthouse’s website.
10. Leisuremax Entertainment Centre
Leisuremax is a fun filled entertainment centre that promises fun for the whole family. Challenge each other with a game of ten-pin bowling and tuck into some delicious food at their Big Al’s Diner. That’s not all, Leisuremax has a host of other activities to enjoy including: an indoor adventure playground, outdoor adventure tower, goggle football, zorbing, laser tag, sumo wrestling, Lego workshops and lots more.
Open every day from 10am to 10pm (Playcenter closes at 7pm), Leisuremax also run weekly events where children can play Minecraft in real life or build and stuff their own teddy bear.
Four Star Family Hotel in Wexford Town
The fun doesn’t stop there! At Clayton Whites Hotel family holidays are our speciality. We’ve got spacious family rooms, a kids club and a 20-metre swimming pool plus kids pool. Discover our range of family hotel deals and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime at Ireland’s Ancient East.
