New Ross (Ros Mhic Treoin, "Wood of the Son of Treann") lies in the southeast corner of Ireland on the steep east bank of the River Barrow.
New Ross is one of the oldest towns in Wexford county, and its narrow winding streets - sometimes stepped lanes suitable only for pedestrians - still preserve something of the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. New Ross is an important inland port, and the broad river is busy with small boats. It is the market center for the fertile surrounding area and popular with tourists. Boat trips can be taken on the rivers Barrow and Nore.
In the town of New Ross can be seen St Mary's Church (early 12th C.; National Monument), which was a large parish church of which only the chancel and transepts remain; the nave was pulled down in the 19th C. to make way for a new church. Notable features are the three fine Gothic windows in the choir and a number of medieval tombs.
4.5mi/7km south of Kennedy Memorial Forest Park, which lies to the south of New Ross, on the R733 we come to the imposing remains of Dunbrody Abbey (National Monument), a 12th C. Cistercian house. The church, in austere Cistercian style, has a chancel, transepts, nave and crossing tower (15th C). The surviving conventual buildings include the library and chapter house on the east side and the refectory and kitchen on the south side.
Address: Dunbrody Abbey, Campile, New Ross , Ireland
John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest Park was funded by Americans of Irish heritage to honor this former president, whose great-grandfather was from Dunganston.
Beyond Dunbrody Abbey, at Arthurstown, stands Ballyhack Castle (15th C.; National Monument), a five-story stronghold with vaulted rooms, situated at some distance from the road on the banks of the Barrow. The castle has been restored and is open to the public. From Ballyhack there is a passenger ferry over the broad estuary of the Barrow to Passage East (Waterford county).
Address: Ballyhack Castle, Ballyhack , Ireland
Hours:
June 15 to September 17: 10am-6pm
Tips: Last admission 45 minutes before closing.
Parking: Free
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Beyond Ballyhack at Arthurstown, where the R733 turns off eastwards, a byroad continues down the coast southwards to the little fishing village of Duncannon, with a good sandy beach and an old fort on a rocky promontory guarding the entrance to the estuary.
Address: Duncannon Fort, Wexford , Ireland
Hours:
June 1 to September 30: 10am-5:30pm
Tips: Guided tour available at 11am., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Group visit by arrangement.
Two mi/3km east of Slade there is a road fork at which the right hand road leads to Fethard-on-Sea, which has good sandy beaches. A short distance away is Baginbun Head, where the first Normans landed in Ireland in 1169.
On the east side of Hook Head Peninsula is Slade Castle (15th-17th C; National Monument), picturesquely situated beside a small fishing harbor. The 56ft/17m high tower is battlemented, as are the lower parts of the castle. It can be reached by taking the road from Arthurstown and Ballyhack Castle which goes to Hook Head.
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Kennedy Memorial Forest Park
