RosslareIreland · Ferry Destinations

All About Rosslare

Rosslare Harbour and its neighboring villages have been inspiring and impressing travelers for over a century now with their picture-perfect setting and enthrallingly countryside attractions. Taking a ferry to Rosslare is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

It’s tranquil, and home to world-class golf courses and noteworthy beachside resorts. Rosslare triumphs for being the sunniest spot in Ireland, getting 300 hours more sunshine than the national average. A trip to Rosslare will leave you in awe of Ireland’s verdant appeal and will act as a much-needed respite from the commotions of everyday life.
 

Routes and Ferries to Rosslare

Nothing beats reaching Rosslare by crossing the St. George’s Channel from Fishguard in Wales. The three-hour journey, where you might come across dolphins on some days, is mostly preferred by tourists who want to tick off Ireland from their bucket list by spending a day or the weekend in this delightful south-eastern part of the country. You can book a return ferry ticket to Rosslare Harbour from Fishguard on Stena Line through Ferryscanner for less than €75 when traveling without a car.

Stena Line and Brittany Ferries further link Rosslare with the towns of Cherbourg and Roscoff in France and Bilbao in Spain. The trips last anywhere from 16 hours to 28 hours in the case of Bilbao.

When arriving from further away, it’s best to fly into Dublin and then rent a car or take the train. Both Rosslare Harbour and Rosslare Strand have railway stations with scheduled trains from Waterford and Limerick.
 

Port of Rosslare

Rosslare Europort is a busy entry point into Ireland that sits on reclaimed land and has a contemporary aura that contrasts its rural surroundings. The port handles passengers, motorists, and cargo, particularly new cars, that arrive from Wales, France, and Spain. There is a separate berth at the port for fishing vessels.

The port is within walking distance from the village of Rosslare Harbour, 8km by road from Rosslare Strand, and 18km from the town of Wexford. On-site facilities at Rosslare Europort include free WiFi, parking, a lounge, restaurant, bar, and even a children’s play area. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Rosslare.
 

Capital & Villages

Do not limit a holiday in this magical part of Ireland to exploring just Rosslare Harbour. Instead, drive to its nearby towns and villages that form Wexford County and discover a beautiful world packed with quaint wonders.

Rosslare Harbour

The village of Rosslare Harbour is next to the port and is locally known as Ballygeary. There’s little to do here, but you can always hike up to Greenore Point for fantastic views. On a clear day, you can see Tuskar Rock Lighthouse, one of the world’s oldest working rock lighthouses, from here. The village has a few BnBs, shops, restaurants and acts as an excellent base for exploring the region.

Rosslare Strand

Rosslare Strand is a separate village from Rosslare Harbour and is situated 8km north, towards Wexford. Famous for its beach and golf club, Rosslare Strand remains busy with tourists during the warm summer months. There are plenty of cafes and hotels to accommodate visitors. When in town, if lucky, you might see the remains of the 17th-century Rosslare Fort that seems to emerge from the sea when the tide is low.

Wexford

For a sweeping change in scenery and lifestyle, plan a day in Wexford. A proper cosmopolitan town with a splash of history, Wexford is known worldwide for its opera festival. A day here isn’t complete without trying your luck at the racecourse and a visit to the 12th-century Selskar Abbey.

Visit on a Friday or Saturday so you can enjoy the Bullring Market with its stalls selling fresh produce, handicrafts, secondhand books, and jewelry. The Main Street of Wexford is the town’s heart with bars, boutiques, and restaurants aplenty.

Churchtown

The one-hour drive to Hook Lighthouse in Churchtown is worth every minute, simply because of the mighty sea views available for everyone who climbs the 115 steps to the top of the structure. Add to that the lighthouse’s significance, which, at 800 years, is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. It is recommended that you take the half-hour guided tour to better understand the area’s history, followed by a snack at the café while admiring the exhibits on display.

Kilmore Quay

A quintessential countryside experience to have in Ireland, Kilmore Quay is a small fishing village with thatched-roof houses, a picturesque setting, and a summer seafood festival that attracts people from near and far for four days of music, food, events, and dancing. While at Kilmore, take a boat trip to Saltee Islands to be amongst birds and seals in a secluded natural paradise.
 

Best Beaches

Beaches around Rosslare stand out because of their countrified atmosphere, laidback attitude, and family-friendliness. Moreover, these beaches have a fascinatingly diverse topography that gives them a distinct character, accentuating their appeal to more just strips of sand to lay on.

Rosslare Beach

The beach in the village of Rosslare Strand is 10 minutes away from the port and a favorite among Wexford County locals. Its Blue Flag accreditation makes Rosslare Beach an idyllic spot to spend the day with children. The water is lovely for swimming, whereas the sand is just right for building castles, running around, and collecting shells. Lifeguards are on duty here during summer, and there are toilets in the parking area available for public use.

Carne Beach

Situated next to a caravan park of the same name, Carne Beach is the go-to spot near Rosslare on a sunny day. The park has pocket-friendly paid amenities such as camping areas, shower rooms, tennis courts, a laundromat, and playrooms. The Blue Flag beach, on the other hand, is a vast expanse with ankle-high water where even toddlers can play freely.

St. Helen’s Bay Beach

To enjoy a hint of beach diversity, pack your lunch and take a 10-minute drive to Kilrane’s St. Helen’s Bay Beach. Rocky and sandy in equal parts, the beach is famous amongst dog walkers and hikers who like to explore the neighboring coastal trails. St. Helen’s itself is clean, has lush greenery bordering it, and does get pretty busy whenever the weather is good. Suitable for swimming and sunbathing, it won the Green Coast Award in 2018.

Carnivan Beach

A hidden gem of Wexford County, Carnivan is located an hour away from Rosslare and is the perfect spot for surfing enthusiasts. There aren’t any facilities nearby, so plan for a picnic when driving to this little piece of heaven. The beach is wide with sandy areas, rock pools when the tide is out, and beautiful cliffs in the background that form a stunning silhouette at sunset.

Curracloe Beach

Powdery white sand, natural dunes, safe for children, and clear waters is why Curracloe is one of the best beaches near Rosslare. There is ample parking next to the beach, refreshment stands to pick-up snacks and drinks, open showers, and walkways to get moving in-between all the lounging. Take a stroll down Curracloe Beach, and you’ll find that it merges with Ballinesker Beach to give visitors miles of uninterrupted sandy coastline that is a joy to discover on a sunny day. Curracloe Beach lies in the north of Wexford and is a 30-minute drive from Rosslare.
 

Transportation Around Rosslare

To be out and about in Rosslare, breathing the fresh air while admiring the majestic sea views, is one reason why tourists visit this idyllic Irish village every year. As a day-tripper, you can step out of the port and follow beautiful clifftop walking trails that are a classic introduction to the region’s majestic splendor. It’s also possible to hire a bicycle for the day as much of the surroundings are flat and make for a comfortable ride.

If staying a bit longer, there are regular train services that connect Rosslare Harbour with Rosslare Strand, Wexford, all the way up to Dublin. Buses are convenient for short distances, but you’ll have to change a few if visiting attractions like Johnstown Castle, Hook Lighthouse, and Our Lady’s Island.

Hiring a taxi works well when you have a lot of luggage but are expensive otherwise. Ideally, you should rent a car for your stay as it gives you the freedom to explore the entire county at leisure and saves both time and money. Use Ferryscanner to compare prices, routes, ferry companies and book ferry tickets to Rosslare.