Irish National Heritage Park

About the museum

The Irish National Heritage Park opened in the summer of 1987 at Ferrycarrig on the River Slaney, just outside Wexford town. It was one of the first experiential outdoor museums of its kind in Ireland, and its main theme is archaeological heritage, together with the promotion of tourism and local trades in the region. The site was reclaimed marshland and also contains the remains of the first fortification built by the Anglo-Normans in Ireland. The name Ferrycarrig refers to a ferry crossing that existed here for more than a thousand years.

The park covers 35 acres of hillside, woodland, marsh, estuary and riverbank and shows about 9,000 years of Irish history through 16 reconstructed sites, each built with the materials and skills of its period. They include a dolmen, a fulacht fiadh (a Bronze Age cooking site), a crannóg, a ringfort and a Viking ship.

Visitors can walk the trails on their own or join one of three guided tours: Pre-Historic Ireland, Early Christian Ireland and the Age of Invasion. The park also offers heritage experiences such as falconry, school programmes and seasonal events.

Highlights

• 16 reconstructed sites from a dolmen to a Viking ship
• Three guided tours: Pre-Historic Ireland, Early Christian Ireland and Age of Invasion
• Crannóg and fulacht fiadh in woodland and estuary setting
• Falconry and other heritage experiences
• Restaurant and café with views over the crannóg

Permanent exhibition

• 16 reconstructed historic sites – An outdoor trail of reconstructed sites from the Stone Age to the Anglo-Norman period, including a dolmen, a crannóg, a ringfort and a Viking ship.

Founded

1987

Admission & discounts

Tickets should be bought online in advance because the number of visitors in the park at one time is limited. Permanent residents of County Wexford can join a local membership scheme with 50% off online general admission. Under 4s enter free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The woods, paths and trails are kept close to their natural state, so surfaces are uneven and unpaved in places, and some reconstructions have low doorways, steps and ringfort stairways. A Changing Places toilet is beside the visitor centre entrance; the key is available from the ticket desk. Service and assistance animals are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The park offers activities for visitors of all ages, including falconry, daily life demonstrations and seasonal events. There is a child price and family tickets, and children under 4 are free.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is off the N11 just north of Wexford town, about 90 minutes by car from Dublin, 30 minutes from Rosslare Europort, 55 minutes from Waterford and 70 minutes from Kilkenny.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Restaurant and café with indoor and outdoor seating in the visitor centre, open daily. Toilets are at the visitor centre, in the café and in the park between sites 10 and 11. Dogs are welcome in the park and on the café terrace but not inside the café or the falconry centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit