Understand

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Wexford began as a Viking town in the 10th century, when the "deep pool" in or around today's Crescent Quay provided a safe berthing place for longboats. The town of Weissfjord ("Bay of the Mud Flats") was thus established. Following the Norman conquest in the late 12th century, a walled town was established. Over the ensuing centuries, Wexford became a successful port.
However, during the 20th century, the silting up of Wexford Harbour made it almost unnavigable, restricting it nowadays to pleasure craft and a small fleet of fishing boats.

Over the years, wexford has remained at the forefront of Irish history. Due to its position, it has been constantly targeted by invaders - the Vikings, the Normans and, most tragically, Oliver Cromwell, whose armies entered Wexford town in 1649, killing over half of it's inhabitants. wexford was also an important site for the failed rebellion of 1798, and in it's aftermath, the heads of many rebellion leaders were displayed on Wexford Bridge. This important event has been immortalised in songs such as "the Boys of Wexford" and "Boolavogue" which most Wexford people learn in primary school.

Following an economically depressed period in the mid-Twentieth century, Wexford has now recovered and is a vibrant, forward-looking town. It's people are fiercely proud of where they come from, and the town exudes a certain joie de vivre that can be hard to find elsewhere in Ireland. Perhaps due to it's maritime past, recurring waves of invaders or it's anuual, world-famous opera Festival, Wexford is also one of the most cosmopolitan towns in Ireland. it is also one of the cleanest, having been declared "litter free" by a recent inspection from Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL).

Eat

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Wexford has a well established culinary tradition, with most of the town's restaurants having been included in Top 100 lists at one time or another.
Very good are Mange 2 (Monck Street, above Crown bar), Forde's (Crescent Quay) and La Riva (Crescent Quay also), all of which fall into the Modern Irish/Italian/European category.
For Oriental cuisine, Vine restaurant on North Main Street is superb. Watch the chefs prepare your meal through the open kitchen while you enjoy the excellent service and energetic atmosphere.
Also catered for are Indian fanatics, with two restaurants available - Mukut (Westgate) and Spice (South Main Street).
Robertino's pizzas are also very good.

For daytime eaters, a huge array of opportunities is available. Westgate Design (North Main Street) is cheap and tasty, and usually very busy. La Cuisine (North Main Street) is also cheap and delicious but it can be difficult to find a table! Try their white coffees! Gusto (South Main Street) offers beautiful paninis amongst other things in a relaxing atmosphere. The Centenary Stores also does a very good lunch.
For Italian food lovers, La Dolce Vita (Trimmer's Lane) is top notch, having been deemed the best Italian restaurant in Ireland by a prominent food critic, as is the Potato Market (Crescent Quay).

Last but not least, the chips in the Premier (South Main Street) are renowned amongst locals!...