Heritage in Wexford.

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All counties in Ireland have their own story and in a land steeped in myth and legend, Wexford is no exception. The origin of County Wexford is lost in the mists of time but legend tells us that when Garman Garbh was drowned on the mudflats in waters released by an enchantress, the vast expanse of harbour thus created was named The Lake of Garman or Loch Garman, the Gaelic name for Wexford.

Our origins can also be traced to the Celtic Tribes who moved Westward across Europe and were attracted to the natural harbour of Loch Garman on the South East corner of Ireland where in the early 900’s Wexford was one of the first Irish towns. Although once maurading warriors the Vikings did settle well in Wexford becoming citizens, traders and their early legacy include the narrow winding streets – still very much in evidence in Wexford Town. The name Wexford is derived from the Viking Weissford the “Land of Mud Flats”. Evidence of our Celtic and Viking past is frequently being discovered in archaeological digs in Wexford.

In the Spring of 1169 the town of Wexford was taken over by an invading force of Norman Knights who, over the following centuries enclosed the town and regulated trade (the remains of the old Norman walls can still be seen in Wexford). Amongst the many visitors to Wexford at this time was King Henry 11 who visited Selskar Abbey to atone for his part in the murder of St Thomas a Beckett. Through many turbulent years Wexford survived warring factions, plague and the religious upheaval of the Reformation.

The 1600’s also brought suffering, Wexford became a naval base for the Confederate Government in its war with the Parliament Forces and this led to a massacre in 1649, when Wexford fell to an army led by Oliver Cromwell. For almost a hundred years relative calm was restored to Wexford but in the hot summer of 1798 it exploded once more when many woes of past decades surfaced with violent results on both sides, which are still evoked in story and song.

From those dark days of 1798 Wexford entered an age of expansion the port was thriving and reaching its zenith with hundreds of ships trading into lands in Africa, the Black Sea and the United States of America. Trade increases led to the growth of industry such as whiskey distilling and the manufacture of agricultural machinery. The population grew steadily and many new streets were constructed. In 1851 construction began on the elegant “Twin Churches” whose stately spires still elegantly outline the Wexford skyline. Many other important buildings were also constructed at this time St Peter’s College in 1819, The Mechanics Institute in 1849 and the Tate School in 1867 (now the home of Wexford Borough Council the Municipal Buildings). The Railway reached Wexford in 1870 and was continued along the Quay Front in 1882 – it has indeed now become a feature of the award winning Quay Front and trains still pass through, as part of the mainline service from Dublin to Rosslare, delighting tourists. With the success of the railways and the booming shipping industry Wexford was at this stage a very lucrative place to live but it was not to last …

After both World Wars the fortunes of Wexford, like many other counties in Ireland began to decline, although Ireland remained neutral there was a sharp decline in our traditional industries. Sediment built up in the Harbour, which conspired to end our shipping tradition. Emigration also took its toll on our work populance, however the cosmopolitan outlook (springing from our seafaring tradition) made the town very attractive as a tourist destination. To honour the Wexford / United States connection the people of America presented Wexford with the John Barry Memorial Statue, located at Crescent Quay. John Barry, Father of the American Navy was actually born in County Wexford. We have had many eminent visitors to Wexford over the years, John F Kennedy visited the county of his ancestors just threw months before his assassination. Former President Dwight Eisenhower and Mayor Daly of New York were also distinguished visitors.

In latter years Wexford has renewed relationships with our European Celtic cousins when it was twinned with Coueron, France and has enjoyed many cultural exchange visits since that time.

Here is a brief example of some of the many historical and commemorative sites you can visit in County Wexford - The Irish National Heritage Park, The Irish Agricultural Museum at Johnstown Castle, The many 1798 Memorials and Commemorative Centres, The Hook Lighthouse, Dunbrody Abbey, The Dunbrody Famine Ship, Enniscorthy Castle, Vinegar Hill, The Yola Farmstead, Guillemot Maritime Museum, John F Kennedy Arboretum & Kennedy Homestead, Tintern Abbey, The Brown-Clayton Monument.

In Wexford we believe in and are proud of our history but we also believe in looking forward with continued growth re-investment and urban development. We hope that by visiting the thriving bustling cosmopolitan centre that Wexford has today become – you can also stop, look back and wonder at where it all began.

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The Bailey Café Bar,
Barrack Street,
Enniscorthy,
Co Wexford

Tel: 053 9230353
Email: info@thebailey.ie
Web: www.thebailey.ie

Opening times: 7 days 10.30am- 11.30pm
Admission- No Charge

The Bailey Café Bar, originally known as The Maltings, dates back to 1895.

At the time, Enniscorthy’s economy was largely based on the processing of Agricultural produce. A boom in the corn trade had a very positive impact on the town and in 1785 there was a total of 15 Malthouses in Enniscorthy, two distilleries, two kilns and a brewery, this rapidly increased to 29 Malthouses by 1796.

Enniscorthy was described as “the granary of the kingdom of oats and barley”. Copies of original documentation, architectural drawing together with a brief history of the malting can be viewed in the Foyer of The Bailey..

Click here to download history of The Maltings pdf document>>>


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Ballymore Historic Features:
Ballymore, Camolin, Co Wexford

Tel: 053-9383189
Web: www.ballymoremuseum.com

Award-winning family museum, including picture gallery, farm display, 1798 exhibition and walk-about amongst heritage features, including period residence, farmyard, church and graveyard, castle site and holy well.
Our Tearoom is open on Sundays only or by pre-arrangement. Groups are welcome by appointment from April.

Open Sundays only April 29th-June 30th; 2pm-6pm
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 2pm-6pm. July-2nd September.
Open Bank Holiday Mondays.

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Boolavogue Fr. Murphy Centre:
Boolavogue Fr Murphy Centre,
Boolavolgue
Co Wexford

Tel/Fax: 053-9366898.
Web:www.boolavogue.info

Fr Murphy’s house is a magnificent example of an 18th Century rural thatched, stone-built dwelling, with furniture and machinery from that period
.
The farmyard also includes a lodge, cow house, barn, stable and an exhibition of folklore.

We hold Storytelling sessions on the third Thursday of every month at 8.30pm in the Centre.

There is a Garden of Remembrance, Craft Shop and Café also on site.

Open Easter - October

Browne-Clayton Monument:
Carrigbyrne,
New Ross,
Co Wexford.

Located on the N25 between wexford and New Ross this 94ft Corinthian Column (1839) is a replica of the Pompeys Pilar in Alexandria, Egypt. General Robert Browne-Clayton in built the pillar in commemoration of Sir Ralph Abercrombie.

The key of the pillar is available on request from the nearby Cedar Lodge Hotel.

Craanford Mills:
Craanford, Gorey, Co Wexford.
Tel: 053-9428124 / 9428392.

The Lyons Family have lovingly restored this 17th Century water mill to full working order. Enjoy a very personal guide by the proprietors, and savour their homemade produce in the Kiln Loft Café.

Guided Tours are also available in French and German. Situated in the picturesque village of Craanford, signposted on the main Rosslare – Dublin (N11) road at Camolin.

Open Daily: June – September (11am-6pm) Weekends only in May and by appointment all year round.

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Duncannon Fort:
Duncannon, Co Wexford
Tel/Fax: 051-389454.
Email: duncannonfort@hotmail.com
Web: www.thehook-wexford.com

Duncannon Fort is a star-shaped fortress built on a strategically important promontory in Waterford Harbour. Built in 1588, the Fort boasts many attractions today including a Maritime Museum, Cockleshells Arts Centre displaying works by local artists, Exhibitions, Artist Studio, Café and Craft Shop.

Guided Tours are available.

We are open from June to September from 10.00am to 5.30pm and by appointment for the rest of the year.

Dunbrody Famine
Ship
New Ross
Co. Wexford
Tel: 051 425239
Fax: 051 425240
e.mail: jfktrust@iol.ie
www.dunbrody.com

The Dunbrody is a full-scale reproduction of a 19th Century famine ship (three-masted Barque built in Quebec in 1845). Board the Dunbrody and Walk in the footsteps of famine emigrants on their journey of hope across the Atlantic Ocean. Re-enactors bring history to life. A digital database of ships passenger lists
records over 2 million individual passengers.

Audio Visual and interactive displays trace the amazing success stories of the Kennedys, Henry Ford and Commodore Barry among others. Open daily from April to September 9am-6pm; & October to
March 10am-5pm.

Café, Tourist information, Internet access and Gift-Shop on site

Ferns Castle:
Ferns, Co. Wexford.

This early 13th century Norman fortification is now in state care.

A visitor centre is located within the grounds, with guided tours available during the summer months.

The Ferns Tapestry is on display at the centre.

Hook Lighthouse:
Hook Head, Fethard on Sea, Co Wexford
Tel: 051-397054/5 Fax: 051-397056
Email: thehook@eircom.net
Web: www.thehook-wexford.com

The Hook is one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world. Discover the medieval tower of Hook, hear the legends of Dubhán, the 6th Century Welsh monk who is reputed to have established the first light on Hook Head.

Wild and elemental, tranquil and scenic, enjoy the facilities in the former keeper’s house, which includes a first class café and craft shop.

Open daily 9.30am – 5.30pm Please contact the centre for low season times.

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Irish National Heritage Park :
Ferrycarrig, Wexford.
Tel: 053/9120733 Fax: 053/9120911
Email: info@inhp.com
Web: www.inhp.com

In just one visit you can experience 9,000 years of Irish history in fascinating setting of woodland, riverbank and native Irish dwellings. Discover how the Celtic, Norman and Viking settlers left their mark on the countryside.

After this tour through time, enjoy the traditional home-cooked food and Irish specialities of The Fulacht Fiadh Restaurant.

Open daily April – September from 9.30am – 6.30pm and October to March from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Enjoy our Audio Visual presentation and Guided Tours, Gift Shop also located on site.

Irish Agricultural Museum:
Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford.
Tel: 053/9171247 Fax: 053/9142213
Email: irishagriculturalmuseum@gmail.com

National Museum of Irish Agriculture and rural life hosting specialist exhibitions on Farm Transport, and Horse Harness, Ferguson System, The Potato and the Great Famine (1845 – 47).

Dairying, Rural Crafts, Farmhouse Furniture (120 pieces) – the exhibition is all indoors and is wheelchair accessible in the main.

The museum and our Specialist Bookshop are open all year round and our Coffee Shop is open in July and August only.

Kennedy Homestead:
Dunganstown, New Ross, Co Wexford
Tel: 051-388264
Email: info@kennedyhomestead.com
Web: www.kennedyhomestead.com

Visit the birthplace of the late President John F Kennedy’s greatgrandfather where you can enjoy an audio-visual presentation and guided tour, which takes visitors through the family history, and historical setting of the Kennedy legacy. Patrick Grennan, a descendant of the Kennedy family who have farmed the property at Dunganstown for 7 generations, operates the homestead privately.

Open May, June & September -Monday to Friday 11.30am – 4.30pm;
July & August – 7 days from 10.00am to 5.30pm

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National 1798 Visitor Centre:
Enniscorthy,
Co Wexford

Tel: 053-9237596
Fax: 053-9237198

Email: 98com@iol.ie
Web: www.1798centre.com

Ireland’s most modern visitor attraction tells the story of the birth of popular democracy in Europe through a spectacular exhibition using state of the art audio-visual material, including interactive computers. Recipients of prestigious Interpret Award 1999, the centre is suitable for all the family.

We provide a Tourism information Centre, Craft Shop and restaurant on site. We provide ample car and coach parking.

Seasonal opening please telephone for exact opening times.

Tintern Abbey:
Tintern, Saltmills, Co Wexford
Tel: 051-562650

Cistercian Abbey founded c1200 by William, Earl of Marshall. A visitor centre operates from May to September with guided tours available on request.

Tearooms, Exhibitions, Toilets and Car Park available

Ireland’s premier wildfowl reserve, which covers 550 acres and is located at the western end of 2.400 acres of “polder-land”, claimed from the sea in 1847.

Internationally famous for the wintering flock of 8,000 Greenland White-fronted Geese and the wintering flocks of Brent Geese and Wigeon. To date in excess
of 260 species have now been recorded in the locality.

The attraction of the site is not just for the wide diversity of species but more for the sheer quantities of birds present throughout the winter.

Currently the reserve is visited by over 45,000 visitors annually and is delighted to cater for groups as well as individuals.
Facilities include disabled friendly Visitor Centre and a number of Bird Hides.

Prime time to visit the reserve is from October when birds are arriving from the north, right through the middle of April when birds are returning to breeding grounds.

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Woodville - historic gardens:

Contact: Gerald Roche

Woodville Historic Gardens
Woodville
New Ross

Tel: +353 51 422957
Mob: +353 87 9709828
Email: woodville05@eircom.net

Visit the historic gardens at Woodville near New Ross. The walled garden which is attached to the house features box hedging, potager, fruit trees, glass houses and mixed planting.

Woodville house, which is also open, is a 200 year old Georgian house set in parkland extending to a water-garden with woodland walk.

Open from 1st May to 30th June from 10 am to 2pm daily and at other times by appointment.

Yola Farmstead Folk Park:
Tagoat, Rosslare Road, Co Wexford
Tel: 053-9132610
Fax: 053-9132612
Email: yolavillage@eircom.net

An 18th themed Farmstead featuring a restored farmhouse, forge, schoolhouse, working mill, thatched cottage, mini-farm, play area, aviary craft shop and Granny’s Kitchen for wholesome food.

External museum open daily May to October 10am to 5pm and in April & November Monday to Friday 10am to 4.30pm.

Yola is a state-appointed heritage and genealogy centre.

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