A Guide To Visiting The Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Centre

A visit to Seal Rescue Ireland is one of the more unique things to do in Wexford.

This is an educational experience that offers an insight into the incredible work done by the only seal rescue centre in Ireland.

In the guide below, you’ll find info on everything from what to expect from a visit along with

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Seal Rescue Ireland

Although a visit to Seal Rescue Ireland is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

The Seal Rescue Centre (SRI) is situated in Courtown, a handy 15-minute drive from Gorey and a 45-minute drive from Wexford Town.

2. Opening hours

The centre is open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 5.30pm.

3. Admission

Prices vary depending on the tour or experience you choose. You can expect to pay around €10 for the guided tour, €30 for the ‘Seal Feed & Enrichment Experience’ and then €90 for the ‘Rescuer For A Day Experience’.

About Seal Rescue Ireland

SRI is the only seal rescue centre in the whole of Ireland and it works around the clock every day to rescue injured, sick or orphaned seals.

They employ trained volunteers from all over the country and receive an impressive amount of calls every day.

After receiving a call about a seal, an assessment is made to decide whether it’s necessary to bring the seal to the centre for care. If it’s deemed necessary, the team get to work.

For the first two days, the rescued seal will be kept in a safe and quarantined unit where it will be able to regain its strength.

Orphans will also learn how to hunt fish and then be moved to the rehabilitation pools, where they will start to train their muscles while swimming. When they reach an adequate weight they will be finally released into the wild. 

What to expect from a visit to Seal Rescue Ireland

So, there are several different things to do at Seal Rescue Ireland; there’s the guided tour of the centre, the seal feed and enrichment experience and the rescurer for a day experience.

1. The guided tour

The first option is the 30-minute guided tour of the centre. This costs €10 for adults 16+, €8 for children 5-15 and it’s free for children 0-4.

The tour gives and insight into Ireland’s seal species and offers an insight into the rescue and rehab process. You’ll also get to see some of the seal pups currently in care.

2. The ‘Seal Feed & Enrichment’ experience

The first experience is a 1-hour tour (€30) that gives you the opportunity to see the seal pups up close.

You’ll be involved in some of the rehabilitation. You’ll see the on-site hospital, visit the rehabilitation pool and see what goes into training the pups for their life in the wild.

3. The Rescuer For A Day Experience

This €90 experience lasts for 3 hours and involves an in-depth presentation from the volunteers, first, before you work alongside the seal care team.

You’ll clean pool, deed the seals and help with care tasks.

Things to do nearby

One of the beauties of Seal Rescue Ireland is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Wexford.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Seal Rescue Ireland.

1. Courtown Beach (7-minute walk)

The narrow Courtown Beach is only a few minutes away and it’s a great spot for a stroll after your visit to the SRI. You can always head into the town first, if you like, and grab an ice cream or a bag of fish and chips for your ramble.

2. Courtown Woods (1-minute walk)

If you’re looking for more things to do in Courtown, take a ramble down to the gorgeous Courtown Woods. Here you will find four different trails, each of which is pretty easy going and should be doable for most fitness levels.

3. Ballymoney Beach (10-minute drive)

Ballymoney Beach is arguably one of the finest beaches in Wexford. There’s an almost tropical vibe to this place on a fine day and it’s a handy 10-minute spin from the seal centre.