11 Of Best Things To Do In Rosslare (And Nearby) In 2024

There’s plenty of things to do in Rosslare and there’s endless things to do near by.

Rosslare is a scenic little seaside town and while it tends to be quietish during the autumn and winter, it comes alive during the summer.

In the guide below, you’ll find heaps of things to do in Rosslare, from walks and great food to horse riding, adventure centres and more. 

Our favourite things to do in Rosslare

The first section of our guide is packed with our favourite things to do in Rosslare.

Below, you’ll find everything from coffee and tasty bites to walks, horse riding and plenty more.

1. Kick-start your visit with a coffee-to-go from Kelly’s Deli

Kick-start your visit with a coffee or something tasty from Kelly’s Deli (or from one of the other restaurants in Rosslare)! This is a great place for breakfast and you will find a great selection of pastries along with freshly baked scones.

There’s also croissants, freshly baked bread and more savoury snacks that you can enjoy in there outdoor space.

2. And then head for a saunter along Rosslare Strand

After breakfast, head on over to Rosslare Strand, conveniently located next to Kelly’s Deli. This beach is made up of sand and stones and it’s a lovely spot for an early-morning stroll.

If you visit during the autumn and winter months, you’ll find it nice and quiet but keep in mind that it gets very busy on warm summer days.

3. Or give your legs a good stretch on the Rosslare Sli na Slainte

Rosslare is home to two different Sli na Slainte walks. They both start at the parking area in the centre of town and head north passing the popular Kelly’s Resort. Once you arrive at Crosbie Cedars Hotel the path separates.

If you go left, you will start the circular route. This path will take you to the ruins of one of the first churches in Rosslare. It’s 4.2 km (2.6 miles) in total and it will take you about one hour to complete it. 

If you go straight, you will start the linear walk. This trail will take you to the Burrow area where you will see rural landscapes and salt water marshes. This route is about 3.6 km (2.2 miles) long and you can decide whether to walk back to your starting point or make use of public transport. 

4. Enjoy an afternoon with a difference at the International Adventure Centre

The International Adventure Centre is a great family-day-out-destination. Located a handy 5-minute spin from Rosslare it’s home to all sorts of activities, from archery and raft-building to kayaking and lots more.

Prices differ based on the activity but they tend to range from €15 to €30 per person. The International Adventure Centre is an outdoor area so make sure to dress for the weather.

If you fancy spending the night, the IAC is also home to one of the more popular places to go camping in Wexford. If you’re looking for things to do in Rosslare with kids, this is a great option!

5. Or hit the sand on horseback with Hazelwood Stables

Hazelwood Stables are a 10-minute spin from Rosslare and they cater for new and experienced riders alike (the reviews online are exceptional).

They run regular lessons all year round along with some brilliant beach treks where you’ll ride alongside the waves.

There something for young and old alike here and there’s even pony camps for those of you staying in Rosslare during the summer.

Other popular things to do in Rosslare (and nearby)

Now that we have our favourite things to do in Rosslare out of the way, it’s time to see what else this corner of Wexford has to offer.

Below, you’ll find more walks, more beaches and a handful of historical sites located nearby.

1. Spend a fine morning taking the Rosslare Harbour trail

The Harbour Trail is another of the more popular things to do in Rosslare (hit play above) and it’s arguably one of the more overlooked walks in Wexford.

There are two trails to tackle – the Village Loop (2.8km/45 minutes) and the cliff walk (3.4km/1-hour). Each of the walks is pretty easy going and both begin at the viewing are that overlooks the busy Rosslare Ferryport.

2. Or brave the chilly water with a paddle on St. Helens Bay Beach

St. Helens Bay Beach is situated about 9.5 km (6 miles) from Rosslare and it’s an absolute stunner, as you can see from the photos above.

This bay was awarded the Green Coast Award in 2018 and consists of a long strand of golden sand that looks like something from Asia on a fine day.

Personally, I like to bring a coffee or a sandwich and kick-back on the grass that overlooks the beach. This is a gorgeous spot on a fine spring afternoon.

Related reads: Check out our guide to the best hotels in Rosslare and our guide to the best restaurants in Rosslare.

3. Step back in time at Johnstown Castle

Johnstown Castle is a 20-minute drive from the town and it’s a great option for those of you looking for things to do in Rosslare when it’s raining.

You can head off on the brilliant castle tour on those wet and windy days or, when the weather’s playing ball, tackle a walk of the beautifully maintained grounds.

Johnstown Castle is also home to the Irish Agricultural Museum, which costs around €9 for adults and €4 for kids.

4. Or stretch the legs on the Forth Mountain walk

Forth Mountain is a 30 minute drive from Rosslare and it’s a fine place for a ramble. On a clear day, the views from here are sensational! There are several trails here that vary in length and difficulty.

There’s the Forth Mountain Loop Walk (10km/2.5 hours) and the Three Rocks Trail (13km/4 hours). Each walk is moderately difficult and it’s worth reading this guide before you go.

5. Visit the excellent Irish National Heritage Park

The Irish National Heritage Park is a 15-minute drive from Rosslare and it’s absolutely brilliant. A visit here immerses you in Ireland as it was many years ago.

Here you can experience three different guided tours:

• The prehistoric Ireland tour
• The early Christian Ireland tour
• The age of invasion tour

6. Or head off on a day trip to the Hook Peninsula

The Hook Peninsula is a good 45-minute drive from Rosslare but it’s a good option if you’re looking to head off on a day trip.

You’ll find everything from Tintern Abbey and Loftus Hall to Duncannon Fort, Hook Lighthouse and so much more here. 

See this guide for a Google Map that outlines where each of the main stops are along with the route to follow.

What places to visit in Rosslare in Wexford have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant things to do in Rosslare from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about what to do in Rosslare Town

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What is there to do when it rains?’ to ‘Where is there to visit nearby?’.

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.