Summer in Wexford: 9 things to do in the Sunny Southeast right now

.

When it comes to an Irish summer getaway, nowhere does it quite like County Wexford. The popular coastal destination is an all-round family favourite, with lots to see, do and taste when you get there.

With its great weather, fantastic beaches, stunning scenery, and the array of activities and attractions to enjoy, the 'sunny southeast' is a wonderful place to spend some time this summer.

And if you're looking for the perfect base for a few days, the four-star Ferrycarrig Hotel, located just 4km from vibrant Wexford Town, is a gorgeous riverside hotel close to everything you might want to explore in the area.

So, let's look at some of the top things to do this summer in County Wexford and let the summer staycation planning begin.

Taste seasonal local food

Easily one of the best things about heading away for a couple of days, is treating yourself to some delicious food. And with Wexford being known for growing and producing top-quality ingredients, you are certainly in for a culinary treat while you're there.

Liam Forde, the new executive chef at Ferrycarrig Hotel, recently unveiled his new seasonal menu, which is bursting with award-winning Wexford produce.

Liam's ethos is to let quality local and seasonal ingredients 'speak for themselves'.

"My philosophy around great food is, if the quality is there in the ingredients, you don't spoil it."

He also holds himself and his team to the highest of standards, "I love cooking seafood and I enjoy making everything from scratch, for example, if there is pasta on the menu, it is home-made fresh pasta, there are no shortcuts."

Overlooking the Slaney River Estuary, the fabulous Reeds Restaurant at the Ferrycarrig Hotel boasts one of the most inspiring locations in the country. The new menu is abundant with award-winning Wexford food producers, meaning you can really get a taste for the region when you visit.

Take a trip to the seaside

Is there anything better than a day by the beach? With sandy strands and golden shorelines all along its coast, Wexford offers many choices to beach lovers. The county has six blue-flag beaches, two marinas, thirteen Green Coast Beaches, and many hidden gems for the family to explore.

Whether it's surfing, strolling, or sand castle making you're after, Wexford is a perfect location for all.

Visit Hook Lighthouse

Lonely Planet described Wexford's iconic black-and-white lighthouse at Hook Head as the 'great-granddaddy of lighthouses'. Built over 800 years ago, Hook Lighthouse is the world's oldest operational lighthouse and was recently voted one of Ireland's top 10 attractions.

Take a guided tour to learn about the lighthouse's rich history and enjoy panoramic views from its four-storey balcony. Or, if you fancy a hot cuppa while looking out at the beautiful waves, pop into the on-site cafe.

Try coasteering

If you're looking to satisfy the adrenaline junkies of the family, try a coasteering tour with The Irish Experience. This activity certainly isn't for the fainthearted, as it will have you leaping off sea stacks and into the pristine waters below - guaranteed to get your heart pumping!

Visit outdoor adventures at IOAC

The International Outdoor Adventure Centre has plenty of family-friendly options, including everything from high rope activities to raft-building. You can even try your hand at axe-throwing if you want to channel your inner Viking.

Do a beach trek on horseback

Do your kids love horses? Or maybe you're heading away with a special someone and looking to plan something romantic for them. Whatever the case, a beach trek on horseback with Hazelwood stables could be just the ticket.

And the best part is that you don't need to be a seasoned rider to give it a go; thanks to the expert guides, no experience is required.

Learn to surf

Wexford is also a great place to learn how to surf, and the team at SurfShack offers lessons on the beautiful Curracloe Beach.

This 13km white-sand beach isn't just a great surfing spot ideal for beginners; it's actually a real-life movie set. Fans of the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan will recognise it as the location for the D-Day landing scenes.

Try a National Heritage Park tour

Whether you have a little historian in your family or you're simply interested in the past, the open-air museum in County Wexford is a must-visit.

The National Heritage Park brings to life over 9,000 years of Irish history to life and allows you to actually step into replica homes and settlements just like the ones that would have been around all those years ago, from prehistoric times right up to the Viking invasions and Anglo-Norman colonisation.

Stay at Ferrycarrig Hotel

When you're not out and about, you can relax in the serene setting of the Ferrycarrig Hotel, enjoy delicious food in the Dry Dock Bar or award-winning Reeds restaurant, or pamper yourself with the exceptional treatments at Riverwood Wellness.

With a 20m indoor pool and an outdoor play area, there's plenty for the whole family to do.

When booking your stay, be sure to check out the hotel's room category, + "plus." You can select this option to access spacious rooms with bespoke designs and terrific views over the Slaney Estuary. Each luxury room comes with a relaxing armchair for reading, a Nespresso coffee maker for that early morning brew, blackout curtains to ensure you have a wonderful sleep each night and a 50-inch UHD TV for you to enjoy some shows, movies or sports from the comfort of your cosy room.

With all this and much more on offer, you know you're in for an absolute ball on your next family staycation in Wexford!

The four-star Ferrycarrig Hotel is a leading property located in the heart of Co Wexford, overlooking the majestic river Slaney where every room has a view. A 20m pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, treatment rooms, the 2 AA Rosette-awarded Reeds restaurant and a world class leisure centre makes the Ferrycarrig Hotel an ideal place to visit when travelling to Wexford.

Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan's exclusive take on the day's news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.