Weekends on the move: New Ross, County Wexford
Last year before Christmas I managed to take another trip and this time it was to the town of New Ross, which is known for its rich history, whether it’s the Normans or its direct connection to the Kennedy family in the USA.
I’ve been to New Ross several times, but each time the weather wasn’t very kind to us, or we didn’t stay long. The last time I was in New Ross was in the summer of 2021, when we were able to travel again after Covid, but it was cloudy and some parts of the city have changed (read: improved) since then. There are two bus companies that take us from Waterford to New Ross. A few years ago, my mom and I took the national carrier Bus Eireann. Last year, I decided to try the other company, Wexford Bus. It was generally fine, but on the way to New Ross, I wondered for a while where it was leaving from. Luckily, I found the right stop and didn’t miss the bus. The journey takes about 30 minutes and you can enjoy the Irish nature along the way. From/To New Ross, it stops on the waterfront, these are the only big stops and they can’t be missed.
I know New Ross quite well, it is a small town that is famous for its Norman history. They came to New Ross in the 13th century and thanks to them international trade (France, Italy or Spain) flourished. This history is especially felt in the center, where you can find beautiful street art and also those statues with a missing face that you can take a picture with. This is most noticeable in Conduit Lane, which is beautifully decorated and has something to offer around every corner.
During Corona, the city commissioned street art throughout the city center. It was specially created by artists who participated in the Waterford Walls and the purpose was clear – history, history, history. In addition to Conduit Lane, you can find more murals, for example, in Cook’s Lane, on Mary Street (by the Dutch Nina Valkhoff) or by the newly built park on North Street, where on one side stands a deer by the artist DanLeo from Kilkenny and on the other side you can admire a horse by the Dublin artist Aches. I would also recommend returning to the waterfront to Dunbrody Ship. Opposite you will see art by the German Case Maclaim and also the reason why the name of the city may sound familiar to you, or you feel like you have been to Mary Street before. Irish actor Cillian Murphy filmed the film Small Things Like These here three years ago and a painting was created in his honor, which you can find by the parking lot opposite Dunbrody Ship. The painting was created by the French artist Zabou. You can find more information about each painting here (you’re probably wondering what a deer has to do with New Ross).
After walking around the city and probably every street, I headed to the newly built park on North Street. The last time my mom and I were here, there was a construction site instead of a park. Nowadays, you can walk up the park (it’s up a steep hill), relax on one of the many benches and watch the action below you/in the harbor. On the way to the park, I stopped at Mary Street (I went to the park from above, because nothing should be exaggerated haha) to look at Nina’s painting. There I noticed that if you go out to the library and have a good view that day, you can see Brandonhill in the distance yay
From the park I headed to the so-called Three Bullet Gate, which was built as a result of the Civil War in June 1798. From here you can go down to the local park and enjoy the views of the river again along the way. I took a break and had a snack in the park. Then it was time to take the path around the Barrow River. It starts opposite the park and ends a little behind Aldi. I didn’t walk the whole way this time, just the beginning, but the views are nice and you can also catch a glimpse of some nature hihi
Then there was the last park left to visit, also newly built and of course Dunbrody Ship. The park is located on one side of the Dunbrody Visit Centre (the one where the ship is not). Emigrant Park is tiny, with benches, historical trivia and a view of the river. Interesting fact: both new parks, the one on North Street and the one by the Dunbrody ship, were created with the help of Heather Humphreys, who ran for President of Ireland last year (and lost, thank God).
The Dunbrody Ship has close connections with the Kennedy family in the USA. In the 19th century, the port of New Ross began to be used for trade between Ireland and the North American east coast (e.g. Savannah, Boston and Quebec). In addition to trade, many locals took advantage of the opportunity and emigrated to America for a better life. One of them was Patrick Kennedy, an ancestor of US President JF Kennedy. In the same year that the Dunbrody first set sail, a famine hit Ireland (potatoes were not doing well), which lasted for several years and many Irish people did emigrate to America. Hence the name of this tourist attraction, the “Dunbrody Famine Ship”. Not all passengers survived the journey and in 1875 the ship itself sank for the second time and remained sunk somewhere off the northeastern coast of Canada (this time without passengers, but probably only with a cargo of wood). So yes, the ship anchored on the river is a replica. Another interesting fact is that JF Kennedy was very aware of his roots and in June 1963 he visited New Ross and gave a speech on the waterfront (he was assassinated in November of the same year). Nowadays you can find a counter and a statue of JF Kennedy himself here and take a picture with him. You can also pay to see the boat itself. I have to admit that I have never been there before. No, I didn’t manage to do it last year either. I was told by a friend that it is quite well done. Maybe next time (as always with me haha).
Another thing I didn’t know about is The Ros Tapestry, located opposite the Dunbrody Ship. It’s a historical exhibition of embroidered tapestry panels – from Celtic Ireland, to Celtic rituals, to the Vikings in Wexford. I think it could be interesting.
So what else awaited me after the ship? It started to rain quite a bit at that time, everyone else would probably go hide in a cafe, but I decided to cross the bridge to see what the embankment looked like from the other side. And you know what? The view through the rain wasn’t much, but after a quiet cursing at the weather, it started to clear up on the way back and I was finally greeted by perhaps the most beautiful sunset. At least in all my previous visits to New Ross! I managed to take great photos of the embankment, but also of the ship itself, which I’m really proud of. I even managed to go back to Emigrant Park and take photos of the sunset itself with the ships. After that, I decided to just quickly walk through the center again and take pictures of what I hadn’t yet or to take pictures of certain places again.
As you can see, I didn’t eat anywhere again. There was no time. This time I really didn’t. But I was intrigued by Ann Mcdonald’s Café and The Cracked Teapot. If you’re ever in New Ross, try them out and let me know if they’re worth it 🙂
As for County Wexford, if you’re interested in the Kennedy history and you’re ever here, be sure to note that in addition to New Ross, the JFK Arboretum is also worth a trip. It’s a huge and beautiful park (I’ve been there several times). Unfortunately, you can’t get there without a car, but it’s only a 15-minute drive from New Ross. Admission is currently 5 euros for adults. More info here.
This is not the last time I’m taking you to Wexford. This year I plan to visit Hookhead Lighthouse again, which is one of the oldest lighthouses and the second oldest working lighthouse in the world. So you definitely have something to look forward to!
For me, New Ross never disappoints, I think everyone will find something to please them here. Personally, I like the sunset photos with the boat hahahah no seriously, my favorite are all the paintings around the town. Of course, the weather also plays a role – just look at the selection of photos from 2021:
What to see in New Ross in a nutshell
– Dunbrody Ship
– all the paintings around the city
– go up to the top of the park on North Street (and parks parks parks)
– walk around the Barrow River on the Great New Ross Riverside Walk
– Conduit Lane
– The Ros Tapestry
– views from the library just off Mary Street
– walk the Greenway in good weather
– view of the embankment from the other side of the river (e.g. from the New Ross Boat Club)
What I liked about New Ross
They have plenty of benches in parks and around tourist attractions. In my case, it helped that I went there in the winter and there were almost no tourists there lol. I think the center is quite adapted to tourists and it was nice. Also, when I was taking pictures and people wanted to walk through, they either waited or just walked, but no one threw faces (like in our country lol).
What I didn’t like about New Ross
Toilets. I know, I repeat myself every post. Unfortunately I went to the ones in the main park and don’t go. This time the reviews on Google are right. Of course, only later did I find out that the Dunbrody Visit Centre has toilets open to the public. My mum said they weren’t much, but I feel like they are a hundred times better than the ones in the park. So here’s a tip for you!
