12 Worthwhile Things To Do In Enniscorthy (+ Nearby Attractions)

There’s heaps of things to do in Enniscorthy and there’s endless places to visit nearby!

As the second largest town in County Wexford, Enniscorthy has plenty to offer for a weekend of exploring, from historical sites to scenic strolls.

In the guide below, you’ll find what to do in Enniscorthy at any time of the year, with something to tickle most fancies.

Our favourite things to do in Enniscorthy

The first section of our guide is packed with what we think are the best things to do in Enniscorthy Town.

There’s a mix of food, walks, historical sites and indoor attractions for those dreaded rainy afternoons. Dive on in!

1. Kick start your visit with coffee (or something tasty!)

If you’ve read our guide to the best places to eat in Enniscorthy, you’ll know there’s lots of excellent spots for food. If you’re looking for a caffeine hit and a tasty bite-to-eat, point your belly in the direction of The Wilds Café.

This is a trendy little spot with excellent coffee, delicious cakes and other treats (it’s also one of our favourite places to eat in Enniscorthy!).

Another couple of cafes worth checking out are Cotton Tree Café and Impresso Café – both are near Enniscorthy Castle for a convenient brunch spot before exploring more of the town on foot.

2. Then ramble up Vinegar Hill

Although it’s one of the shorter walks in Wexford, the short-and-sweet Vinegar Hill walk is well worth conquering. Towering over Enniscorthy town, this is the site of The Battle of Vinegar Hill which was fought in June 1798 during the Irish Rebellion.

The attack by the British forces was aimed at the largest rebel camp on the hill and it was the last major attempt by the rebels to hold ground.

You can park at the base of the hill and take the short walk up, or you can follow a path from the town which takes around 50 minutes in total (directions here – don’t walk from the town to the car park).

4. Followed by a visit to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre

Following the walk, you can head to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre to learn more about this interesting period of history. The award-winning museum is widely considered a must visit in Wexford, for its incredible exhibition on the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

The centre documents the events that were inspired by the revolution in America and France and lets you meet the key figures that became etched into Irish history forever. 

There is also a 4D audio visual interpretation of the battle of Vinegar Hill which provides some nice context if you made the walk up to the hilltop outside of town. If you’re looking for things to do in Enniscorthy when it’s raining, this is a great option!

5. Step back in time at Enniscorthy Castle

You’ll find the impressive Enniscorthy Castle right in the centre of the town. The 13th century fortress was first built by the Normans on the same site that they had erected an older wooden castle years earlier.

The castle now houses exhibitions and displays on the town’s history, including that of the castle. You can enjoy some of the artefacts from local industries and climb to the top of the castle for incredible views across the town and former battlefield at Vinegar Hill.

6. Spend a rainy afternoon at The Presentation Arts Centre

If the weather is drizzly, then you can’t go wrong with an afternoon spent at The Presentation Arts Centre. This venue in the middle of town has a wide variety of events, exhibitions and performances on throughout the year.

There’s always something going on here, with something to suit a range of tastes, including live music and workshops. You can check out their website for the latest schedule and upcoming shows.

Other popular things to do in Enniscorthy (and nearby)

Now that we have our favourite things to do in Enniscorthy out of the way, it’s time to see what else there is to do nearby.

Below, you’ll find everything from hikes and walks to several glorious beaches near Enniscorthy that are well worth visiting.

1. Head for a walk in the Blackstairs Mountains (20-mins away)

Just 20 minutes away on the border with County Carlow, the Blackstairs Mountains are an incredibly underrated place to go for a ramble. The mountains consist of a long ridge along the border, dominated by Mount Leinster at 795m and Blackstairs Mountain at 735m.

There are a few walks to choose from, including the Mount Leinster Walk and the Blackstairs Mountains Loop Walk (13.5km) which offers spectacular views.

Or, there are a couple of shorter options too, such as the Blackstairs Eco Trail which takes in some of the interesting flora and fauns found in the area.

2. Take the kids to Secret Valley Wildlife Park (20-mins away)

Located between Enniscorthy and New Ross, Secret Valley Wildlife Park makes for a great family day out. The 14-acre property is home to exotic and native wildlife with a range of activities for all ages to enjoy. 

You can find lemurs, meerkats, otters, rabbits, llamas and pythons, plus many more animals around the park. The kids will love the animal feedings, pony rides and outdoor playground.

They’re open all year round and every day of the week, with tickets around €35 for a family of four. This is a handy option for those of you looking for things to do in Enniscorthy or nearby with kids.

3. Take a spin out to Ferns Castle (10-mins away)

Just 10 minutes north of Enniscorthy, Ferns Castle is worth a trip to explore a fine example of a 13th century Anglo-Norman fortress. While only half of the castle still remains, you can admire the chapel with its carved ornaments and the tower with original fireplaces and a vaulted basement.

To learn more about the history of the castle, there is a modern visitor centre on site which has plenty of information. It’s also home to the Ferns Tapestry, one of the finest historical artefacts, which depicts the history of Ferns town.

4. Visit the brilliant Irish National Heritage Park (20-mins away)

As you drive south of Enniscorthy towards Wexford Town, you can pop into the Irish National Heritage Park which is one of the more popular places to visit in Wexford.

The 35-acre living history park takes you through 9000 years of history on various heritage trails.

There are displays depicting the first human settlements all the way up to the 12th century. From pre-historic times to the Age of Invasion, you can learn a whole lot about Ireland with just a single visit.

If the walking trails aren’t enough, you can also learn a new trade or craft from ancient times, including foraging, wood carving and even a Viking camp which you’ll recognise from our Wexford glamping guide.

5. Explore Wells House & Gardens (20-mins away)

Just a 20-minute drive away from Enniscorthy and closer to the coast, Wells House and Gardens is a lovely spot to stop in and enjoy a wander. You can choose to ramble through the woodland walks on the estate or let the kids play on the adventure playground.

There are beautiful gardens to admire too, with an arboretum and formal terrace gardens. Or if you’re interested in exploring the elegant house, you can visit on a weekend and join in a guided tour of the 17th century Victorian house.

6. Visit 1 of 20+ beaches near Enniscorthy

There’s endless beaches in Wexford and, luckily enough, many are a short spin from the town. If you head east from town, you’ll eventually reach the coast, with a few great beaches within just a 30 minute drive away.

You can take a pick from Curracloe Beach, Courtown Beach or Ballymoney Beach, each of which boasts pretty stretches of sand perfect for a stroll. With an even 30 minute drive time to each of them, you can easily check out multiple beaches in a day.

FAQs about the various things to do in Enniscorthy Town

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where to visit with kids?’ to ‘What are some good rainy-day attractions?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.