Although the harbour itself is located close to, and for census purposes is co-terminous with, the village of Ballygeary, and within the
townland of Ballygillane Big, it was named after the village of
Rosslare, some 4 km away (8 km by road) along the coast. The village of Ballygeary was divided into two townlands, one known as "tin town" and the other as "straw town" or "bamboo town". It is believed this was because of the roofs on the houses. The village has a number of guesthouses, hotels, a
Roman Catholic church, a post office and some shops, one of which being a Daybreak service station and is regarded as "the heart and soul of Rosslare Harbour" by locals. Just south of the harbour is a small strand leading to
Greenore Point, where
grey seals can sometimes be seen. The harbour is home to an
RNLI lifeboat station. The population of Rosslare Harbour reached 2,247 at the
2022 census, increasing 87% from 2016 and becoming one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the country. ==Railways and ferries==