Hit the High Notes at Wexford's Opera Festival
Accommodation is offered at White's Hotel, with where you can enjoy a traditional fullIrish Breakfast to set you up for the day's activities. Whites is an excellent choice as it becomes the town's social center during the Festival. The log fires and homely decor add to the evening conviviality.
If Whites Hotel is full, try the comfortable O'Brien's Auburn House, a quiet privately run bed and breakfast establishment in nearby Redmond Road.
American naval history buffs will wish to pay their respects to the large bronze statue of a local lad who sailed away to make good in USA. Commodore John Barry, the "Father of the American Navy" took ship to the New World in 1760 at the age of 15. He rose to hero's fame during the War of Independence as a brilliant naval commander against the British, who were no match for his daring and unconventional tactics which netted him over 20 ships captured as prizes. His statue dominates the center of Crescent Quay, gazing out over the town's once busy harbour, now home to just a few small fishing trawlers.
The Wexford Opera Festival has gone down in history as collapsing on one momentous and utterly memorable occasion into a slapstick chaos worthy of the Marx Bros theatre scene in their film 'A Night at the Opera'. As a 'Finale' I invite you to read Opera and Theatre critic Bernard Levin's description of this occasion, which will bring tears of laughter to your eyes. The passage is from his book Conducted Tour (Hodder & Stoughton, 1982), which should be on every opera lover's bookshelf.
Travel Tip: Car rental is expensive in Ireland but essential to your enjoyment if you are staying for more than just the Festival. Best rates I have found are from Hertz. Be sure to set this up before you arrive for a better rate than you will get on the spot at Dublin Airport.
Joyful Travels!
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