Exploring Rosslare Harbour and Beyond

Rosslare Harbour is a charming seaside town in County Wexford, Ireland. It's a great base for exploring the surrounding area.

The town has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Neolithic period. The nearby Rosslare Strand has been a popular spot for beachgoers and walkers for centuries.

Getting to Rosslare Harbour is relatively easy, with regular bus and train services connecting the town to Dublin and other nearby towns. The Rosslare Europort is also a major ferry terminal, with routes to the UK and France.

You can reach Rosslare Harbour by ferry from various ports in the UK and France. The ferry connection is a great alternative to flying.

There are several ferry companies that operate from Rosslare Harbour, including Stena Line, Irish Ferries, and Brittany Ferries. You can catch a ferry from Cherbourg in France, Fishguard in Wales, or Pembroke in Wales.

The ferry from Cherbourg to Rosslare takes around 15.5-18 hours, while the ferry from Fishguard takes 3.5-4 hours. There are usually two daily ferries from Fishguard to Rosslare, and the Pembroke - Rosslare ferry route is normally active twice a day.

Here are some of the ferry routes from Rosslare Harbour:

You can book ferry tickets to Rosslare online through various websites, and compare fares to find the best price.

Rosslare Europort is one of the most important ports in Ireland, located right next to Rosslare Strand and the village of Kilrane.

The port is a Common User Terminal, meaning that the port authority carries out all stevedoring activities on a common user basis for all shipping lines using the port.

Over 25,000 vehicles are handled at the port every year, with an importer depot located in Rosslare Harbour Village.

Rosslare Europort can accommodate cruise liners, and was even included in the 2020 schedule of the Phoenix Reisen-owned liner MS Deutschland.

The port area is largely on reclaimed land, with reclamation work continuing until the late 1990s.

An all-weather RNLI lifeboat is on station at the port, and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter at Waterford Airport provides air-sea rescue cover.

Rosslare Europort is the second most strategically important seaport in the state after Dublin, handling more unitised freight than all other Irish seaports except Dublin.

In 2020, the port handled 810,000 passengers, 130,000 freight units, and 515,710 tonnes of freight.

You can easily connect to other points of interest in Ireland from the Rosslare Europort, with public transport options like buses and trains available.

Rosslare Europort is set to undergo a major transformation with new investment of over €30 million to provide capacity, facilities, and technology for major growth. This investment will facilitate the development of the Rosslare Europort Business Park by the Dutch company XELLZ targeting the future Offshore Wind Market.

The port will also feature a Free Zone at Rosslare Europort and the Europort Business Park, aiming to create Ireland's smartest digital and automated Port. This will enable the Europort to meet all customs and Brexit requirements for state agencies.

The Irish government has committed to investing more in ports like Rosslare as businesses seek certainty amidst the confusion caused by Brexit. Verona Murphy, a former president of the Irish Road Haulage Association and a local TD, believes the port needs a €200m upgrade to take full advantage of the opportunities Brexit provides.

The Europort’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) project received a major boost with the announcement of €2.5m in EU funding under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This funding will support the development of the Offshore Renewable Energy project.

A major capital investment programme at Rosslare Europort has been approved by the Irish Government, including the expansion of Terminal 7 at Rosslare. This expansion will include redeveloping the existing site and demolishing many existing buildings to allow for the construction of a new border control post.

The total investment in the Offshore Renewable Energy, infrastructure plans, port Masterplan, digitilisation, and the N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road is set to be €350 million. This significant investment will support the growth and development of Rosslare Europort.

Here's a summary of the planned development at Rosslare Europort:

The impact of Brexit on Rosslare Harbour has been a welcome one for local businesses. Increased traffic and personnel have brought a boost to the local economy.

Since Brexit, the port has seen a significant increase in traffic, which has led to more people working in the area. This has created a ripple effect, with local garages and cafes seeing extra business.

A local entrepreneur has highlighted the beneficial changes brought about by Brexit, including increased investment in local businesses. This investment has led to the creation of new jobs, with around 160 new positions being created by the end of February 2021.

The positive economic effects of Brexit have not been limited to the immediate port area, but have also benefited the wider region.

Rosslare Harbour has a rich history that dates back to its recommendation as a new port location by Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This was due to the main port at Wexford becoming difficult to use because of the treacherous shifting sands where the river Slaney meets the sea.

The harbour took some time to complete and finally opened in 1906.

Rosslare Harbour's role in international transport increased significantly in the 1940s and '50s, thanks to the growing popularity of cars and trucks. This growth further solidified the harbour's importance as a vital node in international transport to and from Ireland.

In 1968, the port became Ireland's newest gateway to Europe with the start of the Le Havre ferry route.

Rosslare Harbour is a charming destination that offers a mix of natural beauty and exciting activities. You can explore the picturesque Kirwan's Garden, a must-visit for nature lovers.

If you're looking for some adventure, consider hiring a bike in Rosslare Strand and going on a biking excursion. The Harbour Trail is another great option, offering one of the most exciting trails in all of County Wexford.

For those who enjoy the water, Rosslare Strand has a main sandy beach where you can go for a swim. Alternatively, you can try thalassotherapy at Kelly's Resort Hotel Spa for a unique experience.

Traveling to Rosslare, Ireland can be a convenient and scenic experience. You can take the train from Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort railway station on the Dublin-Rosslare railway line.

The train journey takes you through various towns and cities, including Wexford O'Hanrahan, Enniscorthy, Arklow, Wicklow, Greystones, and Bray Daly. From Rosslare Europort, you can connect to other parts of Ireland via the Sligo Line and the Belfast Line.

If you prefer to travel by ferry, there are several options available. Stena Line operates ferry services from Rosslare Europort to Fishguard Harbour, while Irish Ferries offers routes to Pembroke Dock and Cherbourg Maritime. Brittany Ferries also connects Rosslare to Roscoff and Le Havre.

Here's a summary of the ferry connections from Rosslare:

Keep in mind that ferry schedules and availability may vary depending on the time of year and other factors, so it's always a good idea to check ahead of time to plan your trip.

If you're planning to travel to Rosslare Harbour or Rosslare Europort, you'll find several bus routes to choose from.

Bus Éireann routes 40, 132, 370, 379, and 385, as well as Local Link route 387, serve the area.

Route 40 provides several daily services to and from Waterford via New Ross.

The 387 route runs several times daily to Wexford.

Local route 370 replaces the rail service to Waterford, running twice a day each way (except Sundays) to serve locations in South County Wexford.

Expressway route 2, which used to link the Harbour with Dublin Airport, was withdrawn in September 2012.

Rosslare is a charming destination with plenty to see and do. The picturesque Kirwan's Garden is a must-visit, with its evergreen beauty.

You can also explore the Hazelwood Stables, a great spot to learn about the local equestrian scene. Alternatively, check out the Rosslare Lifeboat Memorial to pay your respects to the brave men and women who have served.

Art lovers will adore the Sweet Shop Gallery, which combines delicious sweets with inspiring art. For a taste of history, head to the Irish Agricultural Museum, located on the grounds of Johnstown Castle.

Johnstown Castle itself is a majestic sight, and worth the 20-minute drive from Rosslare. The Irish National Heritage Park is another nearby gem, just a 15-minute drive from the village.

If you're looking for some exercise, consider hiring a bike in Rosslare Strand and going on a biking excursion. Alternatively, walk along the Harbour Trail, one of the most exciting trails in all of County Wexford.

If you're looking for some time in the sun, try playing golf at one of the beautiful courses in Rosslare. For a more relaxing experience, head to Kelly's Resort Hotel Spa for some thalassotherapy.

Rosslare is a great destination for a relaxing getaway, but if you're looking for some nighttime fun, you're in luck. There are only a few nightlife options in Rosslare, most of them in Rosslare Harbour.

Enjoy beautiful sea views while you're out on the town, as many of the nightlife spots in Rosslare Harbour offer stunning views of the ocean.

You can find some bars and pubs in Rosslare Strand and the village of Kilrane if you're looking for a more low-key night out.

Rosslare Harbour is a foodie's paradise, with a cuisine that's deeply rooted in Irish traditions.

The town is famous for its seafood, with fresh catches being a staple on many menus.

You can't go wrong with a plate of traditional fish and chips, which is available in both Rosslare Harbour and Kilrane.

If you're looking for something a bit more upscale, head to the Wild & Native Seafood Restaurant, where you can try their signature surf and turf dish or indulge in some delicious crab claws.

Rosslare Harbour has a variety of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets.

Rosslare Harbour is undergoing a major transformation with a €30 million investment to provide capacity, facilities, and technology to facilitate major growth.

The port is set to become Ireland's smartest digital and automated Port, meeting all customs and Brexit requirements for state agencies. This will be achieved through the use of technology and the creation of a Free Zone at Rosslare Europort and the Europort Business Park.

Verona Murphy, a local TD, believes the port needs a €200m upgrade to take full advantage of the opportunities Brexit provides.

The Irish government has committed to investing more in ports like Rosslare as businesses seek certainty amidst the confusion caused by Brexit.

Rosslare Europort's Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) project received a major boost with the announcement of €2.5m in EU funding under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

Since Brexit, businesses in the Rosslare area have welcomed the boost in traffic going through the port and the town, resulting in increased personnel, traffic, and investment in local businesses.

About 160 new jobs had already been created at Rosslare by government agencies, shipping lines, and the port authority itself by the end of February 2021.

The town has also seen extra business generated for local garages and cafes, benefiting the wider region.