Wexford town boasts a plethora of contemporary writers, celebrated both at home and abroad, including John Banville, Claire Keegan, Eoin Colfer, Colm Toibin and Billy Roche.

Wexford Festival literary trail will bring exploration of its historic laneways, the harbour vistas which have inspired beautiful passages of prose. The narrow streets which provided the backdrop to Billy Roche’s Wexford Trilogy and the unique vernacular of the town which percolates fiction and songwriting.

Literary heritage will be explored in person and in a published guide that will function independently as an anchor to the literary heritage of Wexford Town.

The tour will begin at the memorial to Robert Brennan opposite White’s, then walk towards Cornmarket the birthplace of the mother of Thomas Moore. Then through the Bullring with a view to St. Iberius Church where Oscar Wilde’s grandfather was married.

Then will proceed via Roman Lane onto the quayside, often referenced by the writers, Billy Roche, Colm Toibin and Pierce Turner. It will cross back at Custom House Quay and access the Main Street by Slegg’s Lane.

It will continue up Kayser’s Lane to take in Ireland’s first purpose-built opera house, home of the oldest arts festival in the country. Then through Oyster Lane by Patrick’s Lane towards the South End and, the Faythe, the home of John Banville.

It will once more return to the harbour via Paul Quay, where the Ballast Bank which became ‘Useless Island’ in Billy Roche’s ‘Amphibians’ can be viewed

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.