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Rethinking Rural – Wexford

When they talk about the Sunny South East, they’re talking about Wexford. With a beautiful coastline, stretching 275km from the borders of Wicklow to meet Waterford full south, you have long sandy beaches, fine farmland, riverside properties on the Slaney and lots of charming villages. There are also the larger towns of New Ross, Gorey, Enniscorthy, and of course Wexford Town itself. With a rail link at Wexford, the major port at Rosslare, a strong roads infrastructure in all directions, and a direct motorway connection to Dublin, the county makes a brilliant choice for those who want to get away from it all but still don’t want to leave it all behind.

Living in Wexford

Compared to Dublin and Wicklow, and even some of the newest hotspots on the West of Ireland, Wexford represents excellent value for money. The average price of a three bed semi in the county is €200,00, compared to over €400,000 in Dublin, and yet in parts of the county, you are still less than 90 minutes from Ireland’s capital city. There is a brilliant variety of housing stock, from rural farm houses to beach houses, town houses to family estates – see our links below to whet your appetite.

With a population of just under 150,000 you can find peace and quiet, but also plenty of amenities, including a choice of schools at primary and secondary level. At third level, Wexford has a campus of IT Carlow, including Degree and MBA programmes. Waterford IT and IT Carlow are within an hour. Because of its geography, community spirit and infrastructure, Wexford is also a popular retirement destination.

Working in Wexford

Given its great land and lovely coastline, agriculture and leisure are big employers in Wexford. Dairy farming is strong, and the county is noted for its local milk and cheeses. Wexford strawberries are famed throughout Ireland! On the leisure side, along with the coastal hotels and related activities, heritage is strong. The J.F. Kennedy Homestead and Park celebrate one of the most famous members of the Irish Diaspora and there are also great houses, castles and heritage centres marking historic occasions, such as the 1798 rebellion, all offering employment as well as interesting and fun family days out.

Wexford has been at the forefront of renewable energy in Ireland, with the wind farm at Carnsore Point being the first on the east coast of Ireland. It is estimated that costs for businesses and employees are 20% lower in the county than they are in Dublin, so it is unsurprising that there is a thriving start up community. Wexford is also home to Datapac, Ireland’s largest home-grown ITC solutions providers. Find Tech incubators such as Gorey’s The Hatch Lab to help get you started, along with links and advice from Invest Wexford. On the financial side, BNY Mellon and Zurich Insurance are based in Wexford.

Playing in Wexford

With art galleries, festivals, heritage attractions, its gorgeous coastline and countryside, you may wonder why more people haven’t flocked here already. Many do come each year for the international award winning Wexford Festival Opera, which has its own state of the art home at the National Opera House in Wexford town, where you’ll also find family events, comedy, theatre and dance.

Lovers of nature will enjoy the Wexford Garden Trail, which takes you through such lovely spots as Johnstown Castle, Marlfield House and Wells House and Gardens. Or if you’re feeling more active, find hill, river, woodland and historic walking trails throughout the county. The 800 year old Hook Lighthouse, is the oldest operating lighthouse in the world, great for a visit and a year round programme of events. Add horse racing, GAA, fishing and sailing, and you’re spoiled for choice.

Meanwhile, Wexford is also a foodie spot, with a strong café culture, lovely pubs and a whole range of Foodie Experiences on offer including chocolate workshops and farm visits. When in Wexford Town do stop into Greenacres, where you’ll not only find great food, but a fine wine store, and art exhibitions too. On the subject of wine, the famous Kelly’s Rosslare has an incredible wine list, a great spa, and brings many to the county, year after year.

You Might Miss… It’s difficult to think of anything you might miss in County Wexford. You’ve got all that coastline, heritage, food culture, lovely boutiques, art galleries, sporting stuff, and Dublin is on your doorstep. Throw in a strong community spirit, and a pace of life that is slower than in the capital, but lively enough to keep you going, and you just might find you’ve got the best of all possible worlds.

Contact your local Sherry FitzGerald agent to help you make the move. Click here to find your local agent.

Three rural gems for sale right now

Greenhill, Clonhaston, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford