Rosslare: What to See and 5 Must-Visit Places Near the Port

If you are planning a trip to Ireland, Rosslare is much more than just an arrival port. Located in County Wexford, in the southeast of the island, it is an excellent gateway for starting a road trip around Ireland and discovering beaches, coastal landscapes, historic sites and some of the most interesting places in the region.

One of the great advantages of arriving in Rosslare is precisely its location. From here you can start exploring Ireland’s Ancient East, visit Wexford and the Hook Peninsula or continue on to other cities such as Waterford, Kilkenny or Dublin.

If you are looking for what to see in Rosslare, in this guide you will find the five places most worth visiting, as well as how to get there from Spain by ferry and travel with your own car.

Rosslare: where is it?

Rosslare is located in County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland, on the Irish Sea.

Its port, Rosslare Europort, is one of the country's main maritime gateways and has direct connections with Spain and France. From the port, you can easily start a road trip through the southeast of Ireland.

The Rosslare Harbour area also has sandy beaches, sea views and various services for travellers arriving or waiting to board.

Rosslare: what to see and do

Although you can simply use Rosslare as an arrival point, it is worth setting aside at least one day to explore the surrounding area.

These are the 5 places we recommend visiting near Rosslare.

1. Hook Lighthouse

If you can only visit one place near Rosslare, Hook Lighthouse should be among your first choices.

This spectacular lighthouse is located at the tip of the Hook Peninsula, in the south of County Wexford, and is one of the great icons of the Irish coast.

The tower is around 800 years old and is considered the oldest original operational lighthouse in the world. During your visit, you can learn about its history and climb its 115 steps to the top, where you can enjoy impressive views of the coast.

It is an especially recommended visit if you are travelling by car, as you can combine the lighthouse with other places on the Hook Peninsula in the same route.

Distance from Rosslare: approximately 50-55 km.

What to do at Hook Lighthouse?

In addition to visiting the tower, you can:

• Explore the Hook Peninsula.
• Admire the coast from the cliffs.
• Enjoy the panoramic views.
• Visit the visitor centre.
• Stop at its café.

2. Tintern Abbey

Another of the most interesting places to see near Rosslare is Tintern Abbey, an ancient Cistercian abbey located on the Hook Peninsula.

It was founded around the year 1200 by William Marshal and preserves elements of the church, cloister and other parts of the former monastic complex. Today it is surrounded by woodland and trails, so the visit combines heritage and nature.

You can also take the opportunity to visit the Colclough Walled Gardens, located next to the abbey.

Distance from Rosslare: approximately 45 km.

It is a perfect stop to include on a route around the Hook Peninsula together with Hook Lighthouse.

3. Curracloe Beach

If you want to discover the Wexford coastline, head to Curracloe Beach.

This extensive white sandy beach is known for its dunes and for having been used as a filming location for some scenes from Saving Private Ryan, directed by Steven Spielberg.

The beach stretches for several kilometres between Raven Point and Ballyconigar and is a good option for taking a walk, relaxing by the sea or enjoying the scenery.

It is also relatively close to Rosslare, so you can easily visit it at the beginning or end of your trip.

Distance from Rosslare: approximately 25 km.

4. Irish National Heritage Park

To discover Ireland's history in a different way, it is worth visiting the Irish National Heritage Park, located near Wexford.

The park recreates different periods of Irish history through 16 reconstructed buildings and spaces, ranging from Prehistory to the Viking and medieval periods.

The site covers around 35 hectares and combines heritage, nature and different walking routes.

It is especially recommended if you are travelling as a family, although it is also interesting for anyone who wants to learn about the country's history before continuing their journey around Ireland.

Distance from Rosslare: approximately 25-30 km.

5. Wexford

A few kilometres from Rosslare you will find Wexford, the county town and one of the best options for completing your visit.

The town allows you to combine history, gastronomy and local atmosphere before continuing your journey around Ireland.

You can take the opportunity to stroll through its historic centre, visit its monuments and use it as a starting point for discovering other places in the county.

Wexford is also strategically located for continuing on to other destinations in the southeast of Ireland.

Distance from Rosslare: approximately 20 km.

Wexford's own tourism office highlights places such as Curracloe Beach, Rosslare Strand, Johnstown Castle, Tintern Abbey and Hook Lighthouse among the county's main attractions.

Road trip around Rosslare and its surroundings

If you arrive in Ireland by ferry with your car, you can easily organise a short road trip around County Wexford.

Day 1: Rosslare and Wexford

After disembarking, you can start by visiting Rosslare and then travel to Wexford.

Spend the afternoon exploring the town and enjoy the local cuisine.

Day 2: Curracloe and historical heritage

In the morning, you can head to Curracloe Beach and enjoy the coast.

Then continue to the Irish National Heritage Park to discover the history of Ireland.

Day 3: Hook Peninsula

Set aside a full day to explore the Hook Peninsula.

A very interesting route would be:

Rosslare → Tintern Abbey → Hook Lighthouse → Hook coast → Rosslare

This way you can combine heritage, nature and coastal landscapes.

How to get to Rosslare from Spain by ferry?

One of the great advantages of Rosslare for Spanish travellers is that there are direct connections from northern Spain.

If you want to explore Ireland with your own car, the ferry is an especially convenient alternative because you can take your vehicle on board and start your road trip as soon as you arrive.

Kikoto currently offers direct connections between Bilbao and Rosslare and between Santander and Rosslare.

Bilbao - Rosslare ferry

The Bilbao - Rosslare ferry directly connects northern Spain with the southeast of Ireland.

The route currently has 2 weekly departures and an average journey time of approximately 27 hours and 15 minutes. It also allows you to travel with a car, motorbike, caravan and other vehicles.

This makes Bilbao an especially interesting option if you live in the Basque Country, Navarre, La Rioja, Cantabria or areas of northern and central Spain.

Check timetables, prices and availability for the Bilbao - Rosslare ferry on Kikoto Ferries

Santander - Rosslare ferry

There is also a direct connection between Santander and Rosslare, which is especially interesting for travellers from northern Spain.

This route currently has one weekly departure and an average journey time of around 27 hours and 30 minutes. It also allows you to travel with a vehicle.

Check the Santander - Rosslare ferry and travel to Ireland with your car

As with Bilbao, arriving directly in Rosslare means you do not have to make connections in the United Kingdom and allows you to start your road trip as soon as you disembark.

Why travel to Rosslare with your own car?

If your plan is to take a road trip around Ireland, arriving by ferry has one fundamental advantage: you can bring your own vehicle from Spain.

This allows you to:

• Explore Wexford without relying on public transport.
• Easily reach Hook Lighthouse.
• Visit beaches and rural areas.
• Continue on to Waterford, Kilkenny or Cork.
• Bring all your luggage with you.
• Create a completely personalised route around Ireland.
• Avoid renting a car when you arrive.

In addition, from Rosslare you can start a road trip directly towards other parts of the country.

What to visit after Rosslare?

Rosslare may be just the beginning of your trip. Once you have explored Wexford, you can continue on to other destinations in the southeast of Ireland.

For example:

Rosslare → Waterford → Kilkenny → Cork

Or:

Rosslare → Wexford → Wicklow → Dublin

Another option is to start a route along the south coast:

Rosslare → Hook Peninsula → Waterford → Cork → Killarney

Travelling with your own car allows you to easily adapt the itinerary to the number of days you have available.

Tips for visiting Rosslare

Before travelling, keep these tips in mind:

• Book your ferry in advance, especially if you want to bring your car.
• Check the specific timetables for your travel date.
• If you are planning a road trip around Ireland, arrange your accommodation before boarding.
• Remember that in Ireland you drive on the left.
• Allow enough time to visit the Hook Peninsula.
• Wear comfortable footwear if you want to explore coastal trails.
• Check the opening hours of the places you want to visit.
• If you travel by ferry overnight, a cabin can make the crossing much more comfortable.

Now that you know what to see in Rosslare, you can see that this small corner of southeast Ireland is much more than just an arrival point. Its beaches, the Hook Peninsula, the historic Hook Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey and Wexford's heritage offer plenty of reasons to spend at least a couple of days here.

And if you want to discover Ireland by road, travelling directly from Spain by ferry with your own car is one of the most convenient ways to start your trip. You can choose between the Bilbao - Rosslare and Santander - Rosslare connections, compare the available dates and continue your journey directly from the arrival port.