Day 2 Cycling the 32 counties of Ireland - WEXFORD
🚴🏾♂️ The Black Paddy Hits Wexford: Sunshine, Strawberries & Serious Craic
Wexford, ya beauty!
It’s your boy Fabu D, back in the saddle and pedaling strong through the southeast of Ireland. I’ve swapped Wicklow’s wild hills for Wexford’s sunny shores, and let me tell you—this county is serving up good vibes like it’s a full Irish breakfast.
I’m cycling around Ireland to raise awareness for Jigsaw, the incredible charity supporting young people with their mental health. Because let’s be honest—life throws curveballs, and sometimes you need someone in your corner. Jigsaw is that someone.
Now let’s talk Wexford. Strawberries, sunshine, and a Viking past? I didn’t know I’d be cycling through history while dodging seagulls.
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☀️ First Impressions: Wexford’s Got That Glow
They say Wexford is the sunniest county in Ireland, and I believe it. I arrived and the sun was out like it owed me money. I had to double-check I hadn’t cycled into Spain.
The roads here are smoother, the air smells like salt and strawberries, and the people? Pure sound. I got a wave from a man on a tractor, a nod from a woman walking her ferret (yes, a ferret), and a free apple from a lad who said, “You look like you need fruit.” He wasn’t wrong.
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🧠 A Word on Jigsaw
Before we dive into the madness, let’s take a moment. Jigsaw is doing powerful work—giving young people across Ireland a safe space to talk, to be heard, and to get the support they need. Mental health isn’t just a buzzword. It’s real, it’s raw, and it affects all of us.
This cycle isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about showing up for those who feel unseen. If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. There’s help, there’s hope, and there’s healing.
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🏖️ Curracloe Beach: Hollywood Meets Wexford
I made a pit stop at Curracloe Beach, and I swear I heard dramatic music in the background. Turns out, this is where they filmed the D-Day scenes in Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg himself stood on this sand. I stood there too—minus the explosions, plus a bottle of Guinness Zero.
The beach is stunning. Long, golden, and so clean it makes you want to apologize for ever littering. I saw a dog chasing a crab, a kid building a sandcastle shaped like a tractor, and a couple doing yoga while their toddler tried to eat seaweed. Iconic.
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🎭 Wexford Opera Vibes
Did you know Wexford is home to one of Europe’s most successful opera festivals? I didn’t either, but now I’m tempted to show up in a tux and belt out a tune. The Wexford Opera House is Ireland’s first custom-built opera venue, and it’s fancy enough to make you sit up straight just walking past it.
I asked a local if they ever go. He said, “Only when I’m trying to impress someone.” Fair play.
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😂 Funny Wexford Facts (Because You Know I Love the Banter)
Alright, here’s some mad stuff I learned:
- Wexford was founded by Vikings in 800 AD, and the name comes from “Waesfjord,” meaning “inlet of flat mud lands.” So basically, it started as a muddy Airbnb for Vikings.
- The Hook Lighthouse in Wexford is the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland—and possibly the world. Built in the 1200s, it’s been guiding ships longer than most countries have existed.
- Wexford used to speak a language called Yola, which sounds like a mix between pirate talk and Shakespeare. The word “quare” (meaning “very”) comes from it. So if someone says “quare mad,” they’re basically speaking ancient Wexford.
- Ballinesker Beach was used for Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg spent £6 million filming here. That’s a lot of sand money.
- John Barry, the “Father of the American Navy,” was born in Wexford. So technically, Wexford helped invent naval power. Respect.
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🍓 Strawberry Fields Forever
Wexford is famous for its strawberries. I stopped in Enniscorthy, where they hold a Strawberry Festival every year. I didn’t catch the festival, but I did catch a strawberry tart that changed my life. I asked the baker what the secret was. She said, “Sunshine and sass.” I believe her.
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🗣️ Chatting with Wexford Legends
You know me—I can’t resist a good chat. I met a man named Seamus who claimed he once wrestled a seal off the coast of Kilmore Quay. I asked if he won. He said, “We called it a draw.”
I met a woman who runs a yoga class on the beach and swears the sea air makes people more flexible. I tried a pose and nearly fell into a sandcastle. Still counts.
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🚴🏾♂️ Cycling Through History
Wexford’s roads are a mix of coastal breezes and countryside charm. I passed Selskar Abbey, where the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed in 1169. That’s older than my Spotify playlist.
I rode through New Ross, home of the Kennedy Homestead, where JFK’s great-grandfather was born. I stood there and imagined what it was like back then—no bikes, no Guinness Zero, just dreams and potatoes.
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🧘🏾♂️ Mental Health Moments: Wexford’s Gentle Reminder
There’s something about Wexford that slows you down—in a good way. The sun, the sea, the silence between waves. It reminded me that healing doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s just sitting on a bench, breathing deep, and letting the world be soft for a minute.
That’s what Jigsaw offers—space to breathe, to talk, to be. If you’re a young person feeling overwhelmed, reach out. You deserve peace.
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🛏️ Wexford Hospitality: Beds, Bants & Breakfasts
I stayed in a guesthouse run by a couple who insisted I try their homemade jam. I did. I nearly proposed. The man told me he used to be a fisherman but switched to hospitality because “fish don’t say thank you.” Fair logic.
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💚 Final Thoughts & Shout-Outs
Wexford, you’ve been a dream. From Viking roots to strawberry tarts, you’ve given me laughs, lessons, and a sunburn I’m proud of.
To everyone who waved, cheered, or offered directions when I was clearly lost—thank you. To the dog who chased me for three kilometers—respect. To the county itself—keep shining.
And to Jigsaw, the reason behind every mile: thank you for being the light in someone’s dark. You’re changing lives, one conversation at a time.
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💚 Thanks for coming along on the ride!
If you’d like to support the cause, here’s the link:
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/blackpaddytour
Until next time,
Stay strong, stay smiling, and mind your mental health.
— Fabu D, The Black Paddy
