Festival guided tours
Our free Festival tours are led by expert guides who reveal the beauty and mystery of Wexford town and county. From main attractions to hidden stories, it’s a chance to understand your surroundings and enhance your overall Festival experience.
Explore Ireland’s Ancient East with Festival Historical Tours
County Wexford is rich in history, from Viking settlements and Norman mercenaries to rebellions – all part of Ireland’s Ancient East, pulsating with legendary tales!
As part of your Festival experience, why not explore Ireland’s Ancient East and join one of the very popular Festival Historical tours, curated by local historian and ‘Friend’ of Wexford Festival Opera, Bernard Browne on behalf of Wexford Historical Society.
Part of the Festival since the early 1950’s, the tours are led by expert guides and explore places of historical interest in the Town, County and Ireland’s Ancient East – some well known, some lesser-known.
When and where
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.
Full tour details will be announced in September. For more information visit Wexford Historical Society
The tours are open to everyone and are free of charge. The tours leave the Talbot Hotel car park, at 10:30 am sharp and are scheduled to return to Wexford at 1:00pm, in time to enjoy the afternoon Festival events. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry. People with cars make room for those without; an opportunity to explore Co. Wexford’s ‘Hidden Gems’ and make new friends.
Festival Tour 2025
The Opera Festival Historical Tours are organised by Bernard Browne on behalf of the Wexford Historical Society. The tours have been an integral part of the Festival experience since its inception all those years ago.
Wexford Historical Society are delighted to be part of the festival again this year. The tour programme for 2024 will depart from the Talbot Hotel car park at 10:30am and return by 1pm. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended for out-of-town tours.
2025 Schedule
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
Kilmore Quay
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
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
Enniscorthy
A visit to Enniscorthy Pugin gem built in 1843 with Pugin expert Aidan Ryhan. This is a rare opportunity to see a magnificent building reputably based on Tintern Abbey, Wales 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
A tour along part of William Dargan’s Sea Wall that he and John Edward Redmond Sr. built in 1847 to take in 2,000 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
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. Led by Author and architectural historian, Dr Richard Gem.
Saturday, October 25
Tachumshane
Visit the 16th 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. Led by Author and local historian, John Foley.
Tuesday, October 28
Barntown
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 with them at Barntown, Lambstown and Corlican with Quaker Historian, Paddy Kinsella.
Wednesday, October 29
Wexford Town
Wexford town’s iconic Selskar Abbey, officially known as ‘the Canons Regular of St. Augustine Priory of SS Peter and Paul’. The Priory and its graveyard and 19th century church designed by John Semple as built on a site with a multi-storied history goes back to the Viking era. With historian, John McCormick.
Thursday, October 30
Fethard on Sea
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
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
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.
