Carnsore Point
Cape Prominent headland in Leinster, exposed coastal point
At County Wexford’s southeastern tip, Carnsore Point offers rocky shorelines, coastal walks and fishing spots. The site’s late‑20th‑century anti‑nuclear protests also attract those interested in recent local history.
Carnsore Point is a rocky headland on the southeastern coast of Ireland in County Wexford projecting into the Irish Sea and St George’s Channel. It is a prominent coastal feature on Ireland’s south-eastern mainland.
The headland offers open coastal scenery and sea views along the Irish Sea coast; it is visited for shoreline walking, birdwatching and coastal observation rather than built attractions. The point is exposed and subject to Atlantic and Irish Sea weather.
In the late 1970s Carnsore Point was selected as the proposed site for a nuclear power station and became the focus of national protest movements; the proposals were subsequently abandoned. The headland remains a local landmark and way-point on the Wexford coastline.
Geographically it lies on the southeastern tip of County Wexford facing the Irish Sea, set among low coastal fields and cliffs and accessed from nearby local roads.
- 1970s nuclear proposal: Site of a high-profile proposed nuclear power station in the late 1970s that was never built, which sparked large public protests and concerts.
How to Get to Carnsore Point #
Carnsore Point is the southeastern headland of County Wexford. The easiest way to reach it is by car from nearby towns such as Rosslare or Wexford, following local coastal roads to the point; there is limited public-transport service in the immediate area so many visitors drive or taxi from the nearest towns.
From the nearest road the headland itself is reached on foot by a short walk across coastal paths (a few hundred metres to around 1 km depending on where you park).
Tips for Visiting Carnsore Point #
- Carnsore Point is best visited at sunset for wide coastal views and fewer people-the headland is open and exposed, giving long seaward vistas at dusk.
- Expect an exposed, windswept landscape rather than developed tourist facilities; plan to view from the roadside headland and avoid cliff edges when taking photos.
- Combine a visit with nearby Wexford coastal stretches rather than planning for extensive on-site services-fuel and food are found in nearby towns rather than at the point itself.
Best Time to Visit Carnsore Point #
Plan visits from late spring through early autumn (May-September) for milder, calmer coastal weather and better walking conditions.
