Wexford. Town in south-eastern part of Republic of Ireland where autumn opera fest. has been held in highly convivial atmosphere since 1951. Has made speciality of reviving It. operas of bel canto sch. or once-popular operas such as Tiefland, but has also prod. operas by Britten, Janáček, and Maw. Good record of discovering rising star singers, conductors, and producers. Founded by Dr T. J. Walsh (art. dir. 1951–66). Other dirs. Brian Dickie 1966–74, Thomson Smillie 1974–8, Adrian Slack 1979–81, Elaine Padmore 1982–94, Luigi Ferrari from 1995.

Wexford County in Leinster province, se Republic of Ireland. The county town is Wexford (1996 pop. 15,862). The land is mostly low-lying but rises to the Blackstairs Mountains in the w. The chief river is the Slaney. Wexford is primarily an agricultural county; wheat is the chief crop, and cattle raising is important. Area: 2351sq km (908sq mi). Pop. (1996) 104,371.