Major city · Ireland
Fethard-on-Sea
Stay 1–2 nights only if you have a car: Hook Peninsula's abbey, lighthouse and beaches need wheels, and the bus is too sparse for sightseeing.
Fethard-on-Sea is a small village of about 360 people on County Wexford's Hook Peninsula, the quietest way to see Tintern Abbey, Hook Lighthouse and the beaches around Baginbun Head. There is no rail line and buses run a few times a day, so a car turns a frustrating stop into a good two-night base. Come May to September for open hours and daylight; winter closes most ticketed sights.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (many sights closed or short hours, wet and windy)
- Airports
- DUB · WAT
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fethard-on-Sea112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fethard-on-Sea, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are narrow hedged roads, fast tractors, and cold water or cliff edges on the Hook.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard · 999 Alternative emergency number
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (About 2 h 30 min by car via the M11 and N25; longer by bus with a change in Waterford or New Ross.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€14–22 (≈ US$17–30)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)
- Budget bedHostel or caravan-park bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room€250 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (About 2 h 30 min by car via the M11 and N25; longer by bus with a change in Waterford or New Ross.) · WAT Waterford Airport (No scheduled passenger flights as of 2026; check before planning around it.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fethard-on-Sea: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Local Link bus 399 runs about four times a day from New Ross to Ballyhack, Arthurstown, Fethard and Hook Head, and Bus Éireann 370 links Waterford with New Ross, Ramsgrange, Duncannon and Wellington Bridge a few times a day — fine for one errand, useless for a day of sightseeing. Roads are narrow and hedged; drive on the left and expect tractors.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hook Lighthouse
goDoor to door: About 30 min
R734 south from Fethard, about 15 min by car
Guided tour only; among the oldest working lighthouses in the world. Check seasonal hours.
Tintern Abbey and Colclough Walled Garden
goDoor to door: About 20 min
R734 to Saltmills, about 10 min by car
Abbey and garden are a 500 m walk apart; allow half a day for both.
Duncannon Fort and beach
goDoor to door: About 20 min
About 10 min by car north along the coast
Fort visits are by guided tour in summer; the beach is free year-round.
New Ross and Dunbrody Abbey
goDoor to door: About 40 min
N25 north, about 25 min by car
Pairs well with a wet-weather day; see the New Ross guide.
Kilmore Quay
goDoor to door: About 1 h
About 45 min by car via Wellington Bridge
Fishing village and Saltee Islands boat trips; see the Kilmore Quay guide.
Wexford town
goDoor to door: About 1 h
About 40 min by car via the N25
Best for a rainy day: heritage centre and Johnstown Castle.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Fethard village
Pub with food, shop and the castle ruin; walkable centre, best if you want to park once.
Duncannon
Beach, fort and two bar-restaurants; about 10 min by car from Fethard.
Arthurstown and Ballyhack
Country-house hotels and B&Bs near the Passage East ferry; handy if arriving from Waterford.
Saltmills
Closest base to Tintern Abbey and the walled garden; very small, book ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × €150 | €300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Car hire, one day1 × €60 | €60 |
| Fuel, about 100 km1 × €12 | €12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €84 |
| Trip total≈ €232 per person per day, bed included | €926≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euro; ferry and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Hook Lighthouse guided tour, adult | €14 (≈ US$17) |
| Tintern Abbey, adult | €5 (≈ US$6) |
| Duncannon Fort, adult | €10 (≈ US$12) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–25 (≈ US$12–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No train station: reach the peninsula via Waterford or New Ross, then a car, taxi or sparse bus.
- Hook Lighthouse and Tintern Abbey keep seasonal hours; check the official sites before you drive out.
- Loftus Hall has been closed to visitors; do not plan a trip around it.
- Some ruins (Fethard Castle, Slade tower house, Clonmines) are on private land or unsafe to enter — view from outside.
- Mobile coverage is patchy down the peninsula; download offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard
- 112
- Alternative emergency number
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Fethard-on-SeaFethard-on-Sea
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112
- Alternative emergency number999
Embassy
No embassies on the peninsula; the US Embassy is in Dublin, the UK Embassy in Dublin, and most other countries keep embassies in Dublin. Consular help for the south-east is usually handled from Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Passage East ferry to Ballyhack, car and passengers: about €10–15 (≈ US$12–18), about 5 min crossing (check)
- Local Link 399, New Ross to Fethard: about €3–5 (≈ US$4–6), about 40 min (check)
- Taxi, Fethard to Wexford town: about €45–60 (≈ US$55–70) (check)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
Fethard and its approach road have 4G with Eir and Vodafone and 5G with Three; coverage is patchy down the Hook Peninsula. Download offline maps.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fethard-on-Sea. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (many sights closed or short hours, wet and windy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry and bridge timings for the Passage East crossing, with the New Ross and Waterford fallbacks.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Fethard village, Duncannon, Saltmills and Tintern, Hook Head.
- Place pages with verified seasonal hours (Hook Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey, Colclough Walled Garden, Duncannon Fort) and eat pages with last orders.
- Offline-map and patchy-signal fixtures so arrival gates can go green.
Sources
- officialHook Heritage — Hook Lighthouse
- officialHeritage Ireland — Tintern Abbey
- officialDuncannon Fort
- officialColclough Walled Garden
- officialPassage East Ferry
- officialBus Éireann
- secondaryWikivoyage: Fethard-on-Sea, revision 5181960 (CC BY-SA 4.0)