Wexford is Ireland's sunniest county — measurably, statistically — and one of the first places in the country where spring actually feels like spring. Hook Head has the oldest working lighthouse in the world. Curracloe beach is 11km of deserted sand. Kilmore Quay smells of lobster pots. Most van lifers drive through on the way to Cork. That's their loss.
Wexford's south-facing coast and low rainfall make it Ireland's most reliably pleasant county for shoulder-season van life. Tolerance is generally relaxed — arrive late, leave early, keep it clean. Filter the full spots list by Wexford →
Working lobster village. Boats, thatched cottages, very relaxed.
11km Blue Flag. Busy Jul–Aug weekends; otherwise empty.
Car park at world's oldest lighthouse. Day use fine, overnight seasonal.
South Hook Peninsula. Small strand, low footfall year-round.
The Hook Peninsula loop is 30 miles of coastal road with the sea on both sides — drive clockwise from New Ross via Wellington Bridge to Hook Head, back via Duncannon and Fethard-on-Sea. It's one of the finest short drives in the southeast, and virtually unknown outside the county.
Curracloe and Ballinesker are best accessed from the R741 north of Wexford town. The stretch between the two beaches is flat, dune-backed, and completely quiet outside July and August. Ballinesker in particular — where Saving Private Ryan was filmed — sees very little van traffic despite the fame of the location.
The Slaney River valley (N11 corridor) is less scenic but fast. Rosslare Harbour is the ferry port — if arriving from France or Wales, Wexford is your first morning in Ireland. The harbour area itself is functional rather than beautiful, but Kilmore Quay is only 20km west and worth the detour before heading further into the country.
Kilmore Quay marina facilities. Also Wexford Leisure Centre in the town for a day-rate pass.
Wexford town or Gorey. Most garages along the N11 will fill a tank without issue.
Rosslare and Wexford town both have facilities. Bring centres in Gorey and New Ross.
The Silver Fox at Kilmore Quay for seafood. Westgate bistros in Wexford town for everyday meals.
Dry and cold — genuinely the best winter county. Green tolerances everywhere. Often brighter than Connacht.
The whole county wakes up. Hook Head in April is one of the best days out in Ireland.
Curracloe gets busy on sunny weekends. Hook and Kilmore stay manageable. Best weekday access.
Autumn is excellent — warm into October, quiet by early September. Best combination of weather and solitude.
Wexford is the sunniest — but some of the best van life in Ireland is in counties that don't make the cover of the tourist brochure.