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Neighborhood · Wexford, Wexford
Centro histórico de Wexford
Wexford town centre, of Viking origin, with the narrow Main Street, the Bull Ring, the ruins of Selskar Abbey, the West Gate of the walls and the National Opera House.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Centro histórico de Wexford
Wexford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century with the name Waesfjord, "port of the marshes", on the banks of the Slaney estuary. The Normans took the town in 1169 at the start of the conquest of Ireland and built walls. The centre retains its medieval layout, with the narrow, curved Main Street running parallel to the quay, and alleys that lead down to the water.
In the middle of Main Street is the Bull Ring, the square where bull-baiting took place in the Middle Ages and where today a bronze statue commemorates the rebels of the 1798 uprising, which had one of its centres in Wexford. To the north, the ruins of Selskar Abbey, a 12th-century Augustinian priory, sit beside a stretch of the walls and the West Gate, one of the old city gates dating from the 13th century.
The National Opera House, opened in 2008 on the site of the old theatre, is home to the Wexford Festival Opera, held each year in October and November and known for staging rare operas. Near the quay are the statue of Commodore John Barry, born in the county and considered a founder of the United States Navy, and the promenade along the estuary.
The centre is compact and can be walked in about an hour, with shops, pubs and seafood restaurants.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1½ hours on foot.
Best time
By day, go for the streets and the quay; at night, for the restaurants or a show at the Opera House. In October and November the opera festival fills the town.
How to get there
The centre is next to O'Hanrahan train station, on the quay. Everything is within walking distance.
Tip
Walk Main Street end to end and detour through the alleys down to the quay. At the end, visit Selskar Abbey and the West Gate, which are less known to visitors.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Centro histórico de Wexford
Does Wexford have Viking origins?
Yes. It was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century as Waesfjord and taken by the Normans in 1169.
What is Selskar Abbey?
The ruins of a 12th-century Augustinian priory, beside a section of the walls and the West Gate.
Does the Opera House have performances outside the festival?
Yes. The National Opera House has year-round programming, including theatre, music and dance. Check the schedule.