Having been left to go derelict in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Loftus Hall has been partially restored and is now open to the public for guided tours. Join a 45-minute daytime tour, which covers the history and legends associated with the house, or—if you’re feeling brave— an adults-only night tour. While there, take the time to wander the walled gardens, where there’s a family-friendly fairy trail.
Loftus Hall is situated on the remote Hook Peninsula in County Wexford. It’s about 19 miles (30 kilometers) from New Ross. Driving will take about 30 minutes. Bus services to Hook Peninsula are limited—and for much of the year, non-existent—so if you don’t have a car, it’s best to go as part of an organized tour.
Visit during the summer season, when tours are more frequent. Halloween is another good time to come, as the house hosts all manner of events in honor of the spooky season.
Loftus Hall was in possession of the Loftus family since the 1700s. The current building is the result of a 19th-century rebuild which was undertaken in preparation for a visit from Queen Victoria. Unfortunately for the Loftus Family, Queen Victoria never made it here and the spiraling cost of the rebuild rendered them bankrupt.