The asking price for Barkers has been set at €950,000 to €1 million.
The gift shop has been trading on South Main Street since 1848.
John Keane of Keane Auctioneers is handling the sale of the 724 sq m property. Offers are being invited by private treaty, with a possibility the premises may go to auction later.
The Barker family established Barkers in 1848, and it has been a fixture of Wexford’s retail scene for more than 175 years. Denis and Bertha Asple acquired the business at public auction in March 1986 for £98,000, a price of approximately €303,491 when adjusted for inflation. The Asples retained the Barker name and the store’s traditional character.
Barkers announced its closure on May 6, 2026. “After 40 years of service, and many great memories, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that Barkers is retiring,” they said in a Facebook post. Bertha Asple is retiring with nobody to carry on the business.
Dorothy Rossiter, who has managed the shop for more than 18 years, described it as an “emotional rollercoaster.”
Barkers has survived significant social, political, and commercial changes over its long history. A room within the premises was reportedly used for planning meetings ahead of the 1916 Easter Rising. During an earlier era, the shop also sold Aer Lingus plane tickets.
The shop won County Wexford Giftware Store of the Year for 2024 and 2025. It stocked brands including Waterford Crystal, Newbridge Silverware, Tipperary Crystal, and Nicholas Mosse pottery.
The closure has added to concerns about the health of Wexford Town’s Main Street. In February 2026, there were 19 vacant retail units on the street, according to Independent Cllr Leonard Kelly. He has warned that the street may “never return to its former glory” due to rising rents, online competition, and changing shopping habits.
Concerns have also been raised about the growing number of vape shops in the town centre. In March, councillors discussed introducing new bye-laws aimed at limiting the number of vape retailers. However, it was acknowledged that Wexford County Council has limited authority in the matter, as vape shops are classified as standard retail outlets and therefore do not require additional planning permission.