Photos: (center) The Dunbrody, New Ross; (right) Irish National Heritage Park entrance, Wexford; and (left) National 1798 Visitor Centre, Enniscorthy.

Other highlights include the Twin Churches — two places of worship five blocks apart that were built 1851-58 according to identical designs; St. Iberius Church, a 17th century edifice dedicated to a local saint and standing on a site that dates back to St. Patrick's time; and the John Barry Monument, a statue overlooking the river and commemorating the Wexford native who became the first Commander-in-Chief of the US Navy.

The surrounding county of Wexford also holds many visitor attractions. Here is a sampling:

The Dunbrody, The Quay, New Ross, Co. Wexford (tel. 051-425239). Docked on the River Barrow, this impressive three-masted barque is a full-scale re-creation of an actual timber-built ship that brought Irish Famine emigrants across the Atlantic to New York. Although the original was built in Canada in 1845, this replica was constructed at New Ross by a team of local craftsmen and trainees, aided with funds from the JFK Trust. Climb down the steep wooden staircase below deck and step back in time to the mid-19th century - experience the sights, smells and sounds of a wooden sailing ship. In addition, costumed actors narrate the story of The Dunbrody and its many passengers including the forebears of President John F. Kennedy. The ship's modern day equipment includes a computer database of over 2 million individual passenger records. Open daily. Web Site: www.dunbrody.com

Hook Lighthouse, Hook Head, Fethard-on-Sea, Co. Wexford (tel. 051-397055). One of Ireland's oldest lighthouses - built by the Earl of Pembroke in the 13th century, this remote beacon is the only remaining example of a medieval circular tower or "juliette" in Ireland and the oldest operational lighthouse in Ireland or Britain. This huge structure consists of three stone vaulted chambers with a spiral stairway ascending through the thickness of the wall. There is a 115-step climb to the parapet where panoramic views can be seen. Facilities include a guided tour of the lighthouse, an audio-visual, cafe and craft shop. On a lighter note, in conjunction with the neighboring town known as Crook in Co. Waterford, it is credited with the origin of the expression "By hook or by crook." Open March-Oct. daily; Nov.-Feb. Sat-Sun. Web site: www.thehook-wexford.com

Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig (tel. 053-20733), two miles north of Wexford town, is an outdoor walk-around museum that presents the highlights of 9,000 years of Irish history on 30 acres. The exhibits start with a camp site dating from the Mesolithlic Period (7000 BC) and then proceed to an early Irish farmstead and a portal dolmen from the Neolithic Period (2500 BC) and continue through the Bronze Age, Celtic, Early Christian, and Early Norman times. Meander into a 10th century monastery, cross over a Celtic crannog, explore a Viking boatyard, climb into a Norman fort, or watch demonstrations of age-old crafts, from pole lathe and weaving to pottery. Open daily year-round. Web site: www.inhp.com

Yola Farmstead, Tagoat (tel. 053-32610), is a thatched farm village depicting Wexford farm life of the 1700's. It was built in recent years by members of the local community to show the original farm buildings and craft enterprises of their ancestors. Open daily April-October.

John F. Kennedy Arboretum, Dunganstown, New Ross (tel. 051-388171), is a 600-acre memorial park dedicated to the memory of the 35th US president whose ancestors emigrated from this part of Ireland. The plant collection includes over 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all regions of the world. Slieve Coillte Hill, opposite the entrance to the park, provides a panoramic viewing point for the surrounding rich Wexford farming countryside. Open daily year-round. Web site: www.heritageireland.ie

Kennedy Homestead, Dunganstown, New Ross (tel. 051-388264), is the original farmhouse and farmyard home of President John F. Kennedy's great-grandfather who emigrated to Boston. President Kennedy made a special point of visiting his cousins here in 1963 during his historic visit to Ireland. The site now includes a visitor center with an audio-visual and a collection of memorabilia covering five generations of Kennedys. Open daily May-September; rest of the year, by appointment. Web site: www.kennedyhomestead.com

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