County Wexford
Ireland's sunny southeast produces arable crops unusual in pastoral Ireland—Rosslare's post-Brexit France links and Wexford Opera Festival create distinctive identity beyond Dublin's influence.
County Wexford occupies Ireland's sunny southeast corner—higher sunshine hours support arable farming unusual in pastoral Ireland. The fertile coastal strip produces barley, wheat, and vegetables; intensive agriculture creates landscape distinct from western counties.
Rosslare Europort provides ferry connections to France and Wales, creating logistics employment and alternative supply chain routing. Post-Brexit, Irish Road Hauliers Association interest in direct France links increased Rosslare's significance.
1798 rebellion history and Wexford Opera Festival provide cultural tourism. The festival's quality attracts international performers; Wexford demonstrates that small towns can host cultural institutions with sufficient commitment and external support.
Wexford beaches attract domestic tourism; coastal development proceeded during construction boom years. The county's mixed economy (agriculture, tourism, some manufacturing, port logistics) creates employment diversity without the FDI concentration of eastern seaboard counties. Wexford represents intermediate position: neither Dublin's prosperity nor western periphery's challenges.