Discover Duncannon: beach, history and boat trips

In Duncannon, a long sandy beach, a striking star fort and trips out on the water come together. This makes the town appealing to travellers who want to divide their holiday between the beach, history and observing nature. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider which of these interests matters most for your trip.

Golden sand and sweeping views

Duncannon Beach is a golden sandy beach about a mile long and also a designated bathing area of approximately one mile in length. From there, the view extends to Hook Head and across the river to the Waterford coast. The beach and views give your stay a clear connection to the water, without requiring you to plan a boat trip. There is also an outdoor shower at the beach.

The Sand Sculpting Festival is held annually at Duncannon Beach. It adds a recurring event to the town’s beach offerings. The sand art provides a distinctive attraction alongside swimming. When planning a stay, you can consider the beach and festival as separate reasons to include Duncannon in your holiday plans.

Duncannon Fort and the town’s history

Duncannon Fort, a star fort, projects strategically into the estuary of the Nore, Barrow and Suir rivers. Its location and shape make it a striking historical destination. The fort is a state-owned National Monument and is cared for by the Office of Public Works. It is a short walk from Duncannon Beach, so you can consider the beach and fort together when exploring the town.

One specific chapter in its history dates back to 1587: the threat of a Spanish invasion prompted the construction of a wall 50 feet long and 16 feet wide. Those interested in the town’s past and military significance will find a distinct point of interest here alongside the beach.

Museum and trips out on the water

Visitors can also visit the Maritime Museum in Duncannon. Together with the fort, it offers a cultural perspective on the town, while the beach provides another way to experience the surroundings. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you would like to focus your stay on beach time, a museum visit or the history of the fort.

South East Charters & Sea Tours in Duncannon offer fishing trips and boat trips for sightseeing. On these trips, visitors can see caves and secluded beaches, and there are also opportunities for birdwatching. The fishing trips are aimed at travellers who want to experience the water actively. South East Charters & Sea Tours advertise that up to 20 fish species can be caught in a day on their sea fishing trips.

Getting there and finding your way around

You can reach Duncannon by car via the R733 from New Ross or Wexford. Another option is the Passage East Car Ferry from Ballyhack. This means you can plan your journey by road or by ferry. The Duncannon Community Tourist Office works with Fáilte Ireland and provides visitor information on local and national attractions, activities and events in the Republic of Ireland. If you want to combine several interests on your trip, you could consider Duncannon as a base for your accommodation: the beach, fort, museum and the boat trips mentioned above each offer a different focus for your stay.

Discover more places

If you would like to include other places in your travel plans, you can also explore Wexford, Saint Helen's, Taghmon, Foulkesmill, Enniscorthy, Arthurstown, Ballygillane Little and Ballymurn.

For the broader travel overview: County Wexford.