Ardcavan Beach is a small, stony beach on the outskirts of Wexford Town. Although not suitable for swimming or bathing, it is a popular spot for dog walkers, many of whom let their dogs run freely along the shoreline.
A video of the beach:
From March to October, people frequent the area to relax and take in the fresh air. The beach offers a scenic view of Wexford Harbour. Crab fishing is also popular at the river mouth near the entrance.
From the beach, Raven Point is visible to the left, with parts of Wexford Town’s skyline to the right.
Unlike Curracloe, the shore is covered in small stones, rocks, and seaweed, which can make it difficult to walk on in bare feet.
The area has historical significance, as the shore was once home to an early Christian church founded by St. Caomhán, the patron saint of Inisheer.
Begerin Island, known as Little Ireland, would be visible from the beach had it not been reclaimed as part of the North Slob. The island was the site of a Christian monastery, founded in 500 AD by Saint Ibar. Historians believe he chose the island because it allowed him to isolate his followers from the pagan influence of nearby druids. The island was connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge. In 1171, the people of Wexford Town used it to temporarily imprison Robert Fitzstephen, who had led the Norman invasion of Ireland.
Map
The entrance to Ardcavan Beach is on the same road that leads to the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve in the North Slob. The turn-off for this road is on the R741 between Wexford Town and Castlebridge.
The drive takes about 10 minutes from Wexford Town. The road is narrow and operates as a two-way system, so proceed with caution. A small car park exists at the entrance.