Kilmore Quay, Wexford – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

Kilmore Quay is a fishing village on the southern coast of county Wexford, noteworthy for its thatched cottages, working harbour and easy-going atmosphere. It is just a 30-minute drive south of Wexford Town so it is better visited as a day trip rather than spending the night here. Is there more to this little commune than its thatched houses?

Read on to find out!

Public Transport: It is no surprise that tiny Kilmore Quay does not have a train station with Rosslare Europort and Wexford (O’Hanrahan) Railway Station being the nearest.

The reliable Wexford Bus connects the village to Wexford Town via Johnstown Castle numerous times per day. These buses take less than an hour and consistently arrive on time.

Dining options in Kilmore Quay are very limited. There are plenty of scenic spots for a nice picnic which is probably the best option here.

The opening of Tony’s at the Saltee Coast Hotel in 2023 injected some badly needed variety into the village’s food scene. They use fresh ingredients in their seafood dishes but if that’s not your thing then their angus burger will hit the spot. It’s not exactly a fine dining setting but the food certainly does the job.

Kehoe’s Pub and Parlour is unmissable in the middle of the village and offers a traditional pub grub experience. It’s not fancy but that’s what makes it authentic and the food is delicious. Grab a reasonably priced homemade lasagne or chicken fillet burger and wash it down with a tasty pint of Guinness.

Hot Beverages: Despite having no real competition Cocoa’s Coffee Shop and Kitchen is actually a great haunt for a village this size. They serve breakfast, pastries and lovely brews both indoors and outside and the friendly staff pride themselves on being dog friendly. They open seven days a week but only till 3pm so get here early!

Alcohol: You can grab a pint at the Saltee Coast Hotel but it’s not a great setting for a relaxing drink. The only real pub in here is the aforementioned Kehoe’s Pub and Parlour. Thankfully the folks at Kehoe’s have us well covered in all aspects with live music every Saturday and TV’s showing all the biggest sporting events. The lack of alternative bars means both locals and tourists congregate here which creates a great atmosphere at the weekends.

The pints and grub are delicious and, although the setting is basic, it feels very traditional. The friendly staff are great craic too.

To the rear of the sandy beach lies the sand dune system of the Ballyteige Burrow. This beautiful area can be explored via an easy 4.5km long looped walking trail. The signposted walk begins and ends in the town and offers views of nesting terns, meadow pipits, skylark and the very rare turf ant. The loop offers you the chance to weave through the dunes before returning along the beach.

Two miniature beaches skirt the town, with the Little Beach popular for paddling children during the summer.

The main beach is the stretch in front of Ballyteige Burrow which goes by many names, including Crossfarnoge Bay Beach and Inish Bay Beach. Although beautiful and somewhat sandy, this is mostly a shingle beach and there are better blue flag alternatives nearby. Check out the tide times along this coastline at the link below.

Kilmore Quay Tide Times

Kilmore Quay is undeniably pretty and makes for a pleasant day trip for anyone looking for a slower pace of life. The old thatched cottages dotted around the village make for quite the sight on a sunny afternoon. The harbour is another nice place to wander with its slew of pretty boats and there is sizeable playground nearby to keep the children entertained.

Each July the area comes alive for the Summer Seafood Festival, a feast of activities, cooking demonstrations, music and all-round family fun. For the remainder of the year the village is quiet, especially in the winter months when many of the amenities are closed.

The ambience is suited to older couples hoping for a peaceful stroll but if it’s a beach trip that you want then head 35 minutes north to Curracloe (the best sandy beach in the country) instead!

Read our Curracloe Travel Guide

Drive 30 minutes west to Tintern Abbey to begin the signposted Hook Peninsula Coastal Drive. This 1-hour loop takes you to sites including Duncannon Fort, Fethard Castle and Hook Lighthouse which is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world! Parking is free and there are plenty of free activities like the coastguard exhibition to keep you entertained here.

The scenery here makes any visit worthwhile but for €15 you can also do a guided tour and soak up remarkable views from the lighthouse balcony. There is an onsite café too so grab some treats and find a spot to sit while you watch the Irish Sea hammer against the Wexford coast.

The two uninhabited islands of Great Saltee and Little Saltee are accessible from Kilmore Quay via a 20-minute ferry. These nature reserves make up Ireland’s largest bird sanctuary and they are stunningly wild. Gannets, puffins, cormorants and razorbills are just some of the birds you will lay eyes on should you venture to the Saltee Islands. The ferry departs from the harbour, costs €30 per adult and is well worth the price to see somewhere so untouched by mankind.

This stretch of coast from the Coombe to Cullenstown is particularly popular for shore angling. Cast out at Ballyteige Burrow for a chance to catch bass, coalfish, dab, dogfish, flounder and plaice among others. The small inlet behind the burrow is also a popular place for crabfishing. Those looking for a little more adventure can set out on a fishing trip with an experienced captain from the village harbour.

Just a 30-minute drive north of Kilmore Quay you’ll find the Irish National Heritage Park, one of the best attractions in Ireland. Set across 35 stunning acres, the park is an interactive tribute to the many cultures that once inhabited this country. This wheelchair accessible experience is delivered in a fun manner for all ages and youngsters here tend to find the Viking and Stone Age history fascinating.

Admission costs just €18 for an adult and includes a visit to the onsite Falconry Centre, where you can get up close with wonderful bird species. Admission also includes three different guided tours that take place at certain times throughout the day as well as access to a pleasant café.