New Ross: History and River Landscape

New Ross combines medieval history and an emigration story with a walk along the River Barrow. When looking for a hotel, you’ll find several themes to explore: the Ros Tapestry and St Mary’s Church offer historical connections, while the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience explores emigration journeys. The Riverside Walkway provides a scenic contrast, with marshland and wildlife. This gives you the chance to compare the themes and choose the focus that best suits your trip to New Ross.

Ros Tapestry and St Mary’s Church

The Ros Tapestry consists of 15 large embroidered panels and tells the story of the town’s founding by William Marshal and Isabel de Clare. It connects a textile work with the history of New Ross’s origins. The Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre is located at The Waterfront, The Quay, in New Ross, County Wexford, Y34 CX76. The full address makes it easier to find your way when planning your visit. Opening arrangements may change, so check current opening hours before your visit.

St Mary’s Church in New Ross was originally built in the 13th century by William Marshal and his wife Isabel. The medieval crypt lies beneath the south transept; it is the only part of the medieval church whose roof has survived. William Marshal is also named in the Ros Tapestry’s account of New Ross’s founding. His name therefore features in two different historical contexts: a textile account of the town’s founding and the building history of a church.

Dunbrody Famine Ship and Emigrant Flame

The Dunbrody Famine Ship is moored at the quay in New Ross. The Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience is based on an authentic replica of an emigrant ship from the 1840s. Costumed performers recreate the arduous emigrant journeys during the Great Irish Famine. The experience thus combines the ship itself with a portrayal of the journeys and their historical context. The Emigrant Flame stands at the quay beside the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience. In contrast to the Ros Tapestry and St Mary’s Church, the focus here is on emigration and the Great Irish Famine.

The Riverside Walkway

The Riverside Walkway starts at New Ross Marina and runs along the River Barrow. It passes through marshland with natural beauty and wildlife. Compared with the Tapestry, church and Dunbrody, the focus here shifts to landscape and wildlife. This gives you a choice of both historical themes and a focus on the landscape when finding your way around New Ross.

More themes in County Wexford

County Wexford offers further cultural and historical themes. The Irish National Heritage Park in County Wexford is a 35-acre open-air museum with 16 reconstructed sites; its offering includes activities, reconstructions, workshops and courses for visitors of all ages. At Hook Lighthouse, at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, guided tours explore 800 years of lighthouse history. Booking requirements may change, so check them in advance. The Irish Agricultural Museum at Johnstown Castle displays agricultural machinery, vehicles and artefacts, some of which are up to 100 years old. Alongside town history, County Wexford therefore offers reconstructed sites, lighthouse history and agricultural heritage as distinct themes to explore.

Discover more destinations: Ardamine, Rosslare, Wexford, Newbawn, Milehouse, Ballygillane Little, Wellingtonbridge, Gorey

For the main travel overview: County Wexford.