Wild Camping Wexford
Is there anything better than sleeping under the stars and waking up on a beautiful beach to the sun rising over the horizon? We spent the night wild camping on a stunning beach on Ireland’s south east coast and found that there is nothing like a paired back night immersed in nature to feed the soul.
Ireland has so many wonderful camp-sites, but if like us, you find it easier to disconnect from everyday life by being fully immersed in nature where do you begin to look for a place to pitch-up?
Total Camping Ireland - as the name suggests - is a great resource. They have compiled a handy map showing hundreds of spots around the country where you can pitch-up or park-up. Using the map, we found Baginbun Beach in Co Wexford, Ireland's ‘Sunny South East’.
With the weather forecast on our side, we loaded up the car with our gear, togs and - of course - Juno and hit the road.
On our way, we stopped at the pretty seaside village of Kilmore Quay, the thatched cottage capital of Ireland. A colourful pub caught our attention so we pulled over and grabbed a table outside Mary Barrys - famed locally for its seafood. The dog-friendly terrace was a suntrap and an explosion of colour as flowers filled every available space. Guinness, crab claws and lemon sole on a sunny Saturday is my idea of heaven.
Credit: Leo O’Conor
After refueling we headed to Baginbun to set up camp. Initially, we were put off by the ‘no camping’ sign, but after speaking to two lovely campers putting up their own tent we felt confident that, as long as we respected the beach and the locals we would be okay.
We found a little nook further up the beach, away from the families and kayakers, and set up our base. Baginbun Beach is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach. With soft, golden-sand it is a calm spot protected from the cliffs that hug it. Our camping spot was nestled at the foot of the cliff face so there wasn’t even a breeze making cooking and relaxing easy.
The water was flat and the evening was so still. Once the families had headed home, the beach became a private space for a handful of tents, each with its own set of respective, quiet campers.
As the sun set, the sky before us turned purple and a swim was on the cards before we settled down by the fire. As we lay by the fire watching the sky, we were treated to a show of shooting stars before hitting the sack.
Awaking at 5.30am I almost couldn't breathe when I unzipped the tent and saw the sunrise in front of me. I had thought the sunset was spectacular but it was being triumphed by this new day.
The only person awake, I sat on the beach with Juno watching the sun make it's majestic appearance before throwing on my togs and having a serene sunrise swim.
Slowly the beach started to wake up. Other campers emerged from their tents for swims, a local yoga class started further up the beach and the kayakers and local swimmers rocked up. People were very friendly and there was a great vibe on the beach.
At 10am a shipping container at the top of the cliff opened to serve up hot coffee and pastries.
After we packed up, we headed into the nearby village of Fethard for breakfast at Grálinn. This paired back brunch spot focuses on Irish produce and serves the most delicious banana bread I’ve ever had (sorry mum!). Their coffee is rich and the staff are lovely. It is dog-friendly too! During the day they serve up aperitifs and a nice selection of wine.
Grálinn, Fethard
Grálinn, Fethard
Thinking of wild camping in Ireland? Do it! Here’s a few tips to help you out.
Time your pitch perfectly. We arrived at the beach around 6pm, as families were packing up and heading home and we left around 10am the next morning. So we didn't get in the way.
Leave no trace. It goes without saying that we are guests in nature and should respect it. Put out fires responsibility and take all belongings and rubbish home.
Enjoy the silence. Even in the wild, you may have to consider others. There may be people living locally or there could be other campers nearby. Sound travels, especially near water, so talk quietly and keep music low.
Have fun. The main point of wild camping is to enjoy it for what it is. Don’t worry about Instagram or making your pitch (or self) look perfect, this is a time you can live simply, even if it’s only one night (and let your hair go wild.)
