County Wexford
Encyclopedia
County Wexford is a county
in Ireland
. It is part of the South-East Region
and is also located in the province
of Leinster
. It is named after the town of Wexford
. In pre-Norman
times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig
, whose capital was at Ferns
. Wexford County Council
is the local authority
for the county. The population of the county is 145,273 according to the 2011 census.
and on the east by St. George's Channel
and the Irish Sea
. The River Barrow
forms its western boundary. The Blackstairs Mountains
form part of the boundary to the north, as do the southern edges of the Wicklow Mountains
. The adjoining counties are Waterford
, Kilkenny
, Carlow
and Wicklow
.
with few extremes. The North Atlantic Drift
, a continuation of the Gulf Stream
, moderates winter temperatures. There is a meteorological station
located at Rosslare Harbour
. January and February are generally the coldest months, with temperatures ranging between 4–8 on average. July and August are generally the warmest months, with temperatures ranging between 12–18 on average. The prevailing winds
are from the south-west. Precipitation falls throughout the year. Mean Annual Rain
fall is between 800–1200 mm. Generally, the county receives less snow
than more northerly parts of Ireland
. Serious snowfalls are relatively rare, but can occur. The one exception is Mount Leinster
, visible from a large portion of the county, which is frequently covered with snow during the winter months. Frost
is frequent in winter months, less in coastal areas.
in the north-west on the boundary with Co. Carlow.
Other high points:
Notable hills include: Carrigbyrne Hill, Camross (or Camaross) Hill (181 m), Carrigmaistia (167 m), Bree Hill (179 m), Gibbet Hill, Vinegar Hill, Slievecoiltia and Forth Mountain (237 m), and Tara Hill.
and the Barrow
.
At 192 km (119.3 mi) in length, the river Barrow is the second longest river on the island of Ireland.
Other smaller rivers of note are the Owenduff, Pollmounty, Corrock, Urrin, Boro, Owenavorragh, Sow and Bann
rivers.
There are no significant fresh-water lakes in the county. Small seaside lakes or lagoon
s exist at two locations – one is called Lady's Island Lake
and the other Tacumshin Lake.
during the last Ice age
. As the ice
retreated, Co. Wexford would have been one of the first areas to be covered with glacial drift
(a mixture of boulder
s, clay
, sand
and gravel
) that blanketed the existing bedrock
. This has led to high quality soil
s, suitable for a wide range of agriculture
. A very detailed soil survey of the county was published in 1964, as part of the 'National Soil Survey of Ireland'. It classifies each area of the county according to its specific soil type
.
Most of the county is covered with soil called Brown earth
s, described as well-drained and having a wide use range. After that, Gleys
(poorly to imperfectly drained with a limited use range) are the next major soil type, primarily located in the south-east of the county and east of Gorey
(along the coast). Gleys are dotted elsewhere around the county in small areas, and where they occur they generally form bog
land. The last major soil type is Brown Podzolics
, located mainly near the edges of the Blackstairs Mountain range
and around Bunclody
and in the baronies of East Shelmalier and South Ballaghkeen. Though there are areas covered with other soil type
s, these are of limited extent.
, ash, sycamore
, alder
, blackthorn
, hawthorn, beech
and birch
. Less common (but plentiful) are wild cherry and Scots pine
(also called Red Deal). Elm
is now far less common, due to the devastating effects of Dutch elm disease
. Gorse (or furze) is very common. A priority habitat in Wexford is the grey dune
, on which many native wild flora grow, including Bee Orchid
and Pyramidal Orchid
. Despite the designation of much of this habitat as a Special Area of Conservation
, it remains threatened by destruction for agricultural intensification. There is very little natural forest in the county. Most natural trees and vegetation grow on hedge
rows.
, the North Slob
, is home to 10,000 Greenland White-Fronted Geese each winter (roughly one third of the entire world's population), while in the summer Lady's Island Lake
is an important breeding site for tern
s, especially the Roseate Tern
. Grey heron
is also seen.
Throughout the county pheasant
, wood pigeon and feral
pigeons
are widespread. Swan
s, wild duck
, kingfisher, and owls (the long-eared owl, the short-eared owl, and the barn owl
) are less common - but plentiful. Red grouse
, once common, are now extremely scarce. The species has been in decline for some decades. Threats include habitat degradation, disease, predation and over-hunting. Red grouse in Ireland are now considered threatened. The corncrake, also once very common, is now almost never seen. Smaller birds—such as crows, swallows, robins, wrens and so on—are very common. The first magpie
s in Ireland
were recorded by Robert Leigh, of Rosegarland, Co. Wexford, as having appeared in the County of Wexford about 1676.
Land mammals include badger
, rabbit
, otter
, hedgehog
, red fox
, mink
, bat
s, squirrel
(red
and grey squirrel
). Rat
(brown
and black
), (It is nearly always the brown rat
that is seen; however, the black rat
is also occasionally seen in Co. Wexford. Neither is native to Ireland
) and mice
(the wood (or field) mouse
and house mouse
). Two types of hare
—the Irish (or mountain) hare
and the less common brown (or European) hare
—are found. Hare is not nearly as common as Rabbit. The stoat
(Mustela erminea hibernica) is also reasonably common. Locally the stoat
is just as often incorrectly called a weasel
.
Only two types of seal
are found on Co. Wexford's coast—Atlantic grey seals are very plentiful in coastal areas, but the slightly smaller common (or harbour) seal
is less common, yet plentiful. The Small Tortoiseshell
butterfly (reddish-orange colour, with black markings) is the most common species of butterfly
in the county. Various types of moth
are also common. The common frog
is plentiful, and is the only type of frog
found.
s) exist at Ballybrittas (on Bree Hill) and at Newbawn
— and date from the Neolithic
period or earlier. Remains from the Bronze Age
period are far more widespread. Early Irish tribes formed the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnsealaig, an area that was slightly larger than the current County Wexford. The county was one of the earliest areas of Ireland
to be Christianised
, in the early 5th century. Later, from 819 onwards, the Vikings plundered many Christian sites in the county. Wexford town became a Viking settlement near the end of the 9th century.
Wexford was the site of the invasion of Ireland by Normans
in 1169 at the behest of Diarmuid Mac Murrough
, King of Uí Cheinnsealaig and king of Leinster
(Laigin), which led to the subsequent colonisation of the country by the Anglo-Norman
s.
The native Irish began to regain some of their former territories in the 14th century, especially in the north of the county, principally under Art MacMurrough Kavanagh
. Under Henry VIII
the great religious houses were dissolved, 1536–41; in Co. Wexford this included Glascarrig Priory, Clonmines Priory, Tintern Abbey
, and Dunbrody Abbey
.
On 23 October 1641, a major rebellion broke out in Ireland, and Co. Wexford produced strong support for Confederate Ireland
. Oliver Cromwell
and his English Parliamentarian Army arrived 1649 in the county and captured it. The lands of the Irish and Anglo-Normans were confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers as payment for their service in the Parliamentarian Army. At Duncannon
, in the south-west of the county, James II
, after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne
, embarked for Kinsale
and then to exile in France.
Co. Wexford was the most important area in which the Irish Rebellion of 1798
was fought, during which significant battles occurred at Vinegar Hill (Enniscorthy)
and New Ross
. The famous ballad Boolavogue
was written in remembrance of the Wexford Rising. At Easter 1916, a small rebellion
occurred at Enniscorthy
town, on cue with that in Dublin. During World War II
, German planes
bombed Campile
. In 1963 John F. Kennedy
, then President of the United States
, visited the county and his ancestral home at Dunganstown, near New Ross
.
has twenty-one members. The Wexford constituency
is represented by five deputies in Dáil Éireann
: John Browne
(FF
), Paul Kehoe
(FG
), Brendan Howlin
(Lab
), Liam Twomey
(FG
) and Mick Wallace
(Ind
)
festival, Wexford Festival Opera
, takes place every year in the Theatre Royal in Wexford town and runs for several weeks. A new Opera House has recently replaced the old one on the same site, it is now called Wexford Opera House. The new theatre opened in 2008.
There is a renowned singing tradition in County Wexford. Having an abundance of traditional songs, many of which relate to the rebellion of 1798
, the county has for many years had a strong presence in the Irish traditional singing scene. Noted singers include All-Ireland Fleadh Champions Paddy Berry
, Seamus Brogan and Niall Wall. Paddy Berry has also collected and published a number of songs from Wexford.
Beaches in Curracloe
, Co. Wexford were used to film the opening scenes of the movie Saving Private Ryan
, which depicted the D-day assault on Omaha Beach
. The Count of Monte Cristo
, directed by Kevin Reynolds, was partly filmed in the village of Duncannon
in 2000 — Duncannon Fort being used for one of the main scenes.
, Cullenstown
, Bannow
and Wellingtonbridge
.
Ballyteigue Burrow, located near Duncormick
, is one the finest protected sand dune
systems in Ireland. Rich in wildflowers, wildlife and butterflies, this 9 km coastal stretch is a protected nature reserve by the golden sands of Ballyteigue Bay, with spectacular scenery.
The Hook Peninsula
is noted for its many beaches and spectacular scenery. It features the medieval Hook Head
lighthouse and the historic townland of Loftus Hall
.
Popular beaches are located at Courtown
, Curracloe
, and Duncannon
.
Other places of interest include:
, sheep
, pig
rearing and some horse breeding
are the main types of husbandry
practiced. Poultry
rearing, once popular, has very much declined. Wheat
, barley
, rapeseed
, and oat
s are grown, as are potato
es. Sugar beet
is no longer grown due to the withdrawal of EU
subsidies
. The numbers involved in farming have been declining for many years and many of the seasonal workers are now eastern Europeans. Mushroom
s are also grown indoors. Tomato
es are grown under glass, for example at Campile
. Wexford strawberries
are famous and can be bought in shops and wayside stalls throughout the summer. Every year, near the end of June, a 'Strawberry Fair' Festival takes place in the town of Enniscorthy
, and a Strawberry Queen is crowned. Dairy farming
forms an important part of the agricultural industry. Locally produced milk
is on sale in many supermarkets. Wexford Irish Cheddar
is an award-winning brand, and Carrigbyrne, a full-flavoured soft cheese, is produced near New Ross.
and Sitka Spruce are the most common varieties planted. These are generally sown on poorer quality soils (mainly in bogs and on hills or mountainsides). A small amount of deciduous
trees are also planted, though these require better soils.
was once mined at Clonmines—primarily in Tudor times. Lead
was mined at Caim, 1818-c1850—this mine also contains zinc
; the two are usually found together. Copper ore (Malachite
) is found at Kerloge, just south of the town of Wexford
. Iron
is found in small quantities at Courtown Harbour. The county is not noted for mineral reserves. No significant mining activity is currently practised, with the exception of quarrying for stone. In 2007, a significant oil find was made 60 kilometres off Hook Head in Co Wexford.
Carnsore Point
made the national headlines in the late 1970s after a proposal was made to build a nuclear energy
plant there; the plans were abandoned after extensive protests from the public, due to environmental and health concerns. A wind farm has now been built on the site, featuring 14 wind turbines generating electricity. It was completed in November 2002 and was the first wind farm on the east coast of Ireland. Wind farms now exist at a few other locations in the county, such as Ballywater Wind Farm
, at Cahore (near Kilmuckridge
), on the county's east coast, and Richfield wind farm, located in the southeast of the county.
Great Island Power Station opened in 1967 and was operated by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) until it was sold to Endesa
in January 2009. It is an electricity-generating station fueled by heavy fuel oil
and rated at 240 MW. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Barrow
and Suir
, near Campile
. Before its sale, the station was scheduled to close by 2010. Endesa propose building a 430 MW combined cycle gas turbine
(CCGT) gas
fired plant on the site. The project would need a new 44.5 km gas pipepline from the existing transmission network at at Baunlusk, 6 km south of Kilkenny
City.
is very popular in the county, which is noted most for hurling
. Wexford last won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
in 1996, beating Limerick
in the final. However, there has been a rapid decline since then in terms of success. In recent years the county Football
team has been making rapid advances. Camogie
, a women's version of hurling
, is also played, and Wexford won the All Ireland in 2007 and 2010. Wexford Park
is the county's main GAA pitch. Also, handball
is played on a limited basis; there are a number of handball alleys located throughout the county.
, recently formed, is the major soccer club in the county, currently playing in the League of Ireland First Division.
), and Enniscorthy. Two more are located near Gorey - Ballymoney Golf Club and Courtown Golf Club - both 18-hole courses. Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club, boasting Europe's only golf lift, is situated just inside County Carlow
. There are also a few others. New Ross Golf Club
, however, is actually located in County Kilkenny
- about 1 km from New Ross town.
There are also many par-3 courses in the county, such as Scarke Golf Course & Driving Range, located about 2 km east of New Ross town, the 'Abbey Par 3' course, at Winningtown, Fethard-on-Sea, Blackwater Par 3 Golf Course, Kilnew, Blackwater, located a few kilometres northeast of Wexford town, Garrylough Golf Course and Driving Range, Screen, and Rathaspeck Manor Golf Course, Rathaspeck, near Rosslare (there are also few Par-4 holes on this course). There are also a number of other Par-3 courses in the county.
and Slade, but also on a smaller scale at many other locations. Common fish species include herring
, mackerel
, cod
, monkfish
, whiting
, bass
, perch
, gurnard
, haddock
, mullet
, pollock
, John Dory
, sole
, conger eel
, shad
, salmon
, trout
, pike
, carp
, and tench
. Shellfish include mussel
s, cockles
, periwinkles
, clam
s, and oyster
s.
) is located at Wexford town
and there is a Greyhound Racing track at Enniscorthy
.
Counties of Ireland
The counties of Ireland are sub-national divisions used for the purposes of geographic demarcation and local government. Closely related to the county is the County corporate which covered towns or cities which were deemed to be important enough to be independent from their counties. A county...
in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is part of the South-East Region
South-East Region, Ireland
The South-East Region is a NUTS Level III region of Ireland and is governed by the South-East Regional Authority. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Wexford, and Waterford along with Waterford City Council. The...
and is also located in the province
Provinces of Ireland
Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces: Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The Irish word for this territorial division, cúige, literally meaning "fifth part", indicates that there were once five; the fifth province, Meath, was incorporated into Leinster, with parts going to...
of Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
. It is named after the town of Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
. In pre-Norman
Norman Invasion of Ireland
The Norman invasion of Ireland was a two-stage process, which began on 1 May 1169 when a force of loosely associated Norman knights landed near Bannow, County Wexford...
times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
, whose capital was at Ferns
Ferns, County Wexford
Ferns is a small historic town in north County Wexford, Ireland with a population of about 900. It is 16 km from Enniscorthy, where the Gorey to Enniscorthy N11 road joins the R745 regional road...
. Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Wexford in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Chairman...
is the local authority
Local government in the Republic of Ireland
Local government functions in the Republic of Ireland are mostly exercised by thirty-four local authorities, termed county or city councils, which cover the entire territory of the state. The area under the jurisdiction of each of these authorities corresponds to the area of each of the 34 LAU I...
for the county. The population of the county is 145,273 according to the 2011 census.
Geography and political subdivisions
Wexford is the 13th largest of Ireland’s thirty-two counties in area and 16th largest in terms of population. It is the largest of Leinster’s 12 counties in size and fourth largest in terms of population. The county is located in the south-east corner of the island of Ireland. It is bounded by the sea on two sides—on the south by the Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and on the east by St. George's Channel
St George's Channel
St George's Channel is a sea channel connecting the Irish Sea to the north and the Celtic Sea to the southwest.Historically, the name "St Georges Channel" was used interchangeably with "Irish Sea" or "Irish Channel" to encompass all the waters between Ireland to the west and Great Britain to the...
and the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
. The River Barrow
River Barrow
The Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
forms its western boundary. The Blackstairs Mountains
Blackstairs Mountains
The Blackstairs Mountains run roughly north/south along the border between County Carlow and County Wexford in Ireland.-See also:*List of mountains in Ireland...
form part of the boundary to the north, as do the southern edges of the Wicklow Mountains
Wicklow Mountains
The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous upland area in Ireland. They occupy the whole centre of County Wicklow and stretch outside its borders into Counties Carlow, Wexford and Dublin. Where the mountains extend into County Dublin, they are known locally as the Dublin Mountains...
. The adjoining counties are Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
, Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
, Carlow
County Carlow
County Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Towns and villages
- AdamstownAdamstown, County WexfordAdamstown is a village in County Wexford, Ireland. It is about from Wexford and from New Ross and Enniscorthy.The village contains a primary school, a secondary school, a GAA pitch, a community centre, two pubs, a shop, a R.C. church and an adjoining cemetery...
- ArthurstownArthurstown, County WexfordArthurstown is a small village in the townland of Coleman in southwest County Wexford, Ireland. It is located along the R733 regional road on the eastern shore of the Waterford Harbour estuary, where The Three Sisters flow into the sea.-See also:...
- BallycanewBallycanewBallycanew is a small rural village in Ireland. It is situated in County Wexford, on the R741 regional road south of Gorey. It has a primary school, Saint Enda's National School. There are two churches. St Moling's is part of the and St. Mogue's is part of...
- BallycullaneBallycullaneBallycullane is a small village located in the south-west of County Wexford, in Ireland.-History:Ballycullane Railway Station opened on 1 August 1906. In its final years the rail service consisted of a solitary train in each direction between Rosslare Europort and Waterford...
- BallyedmondBallyedmondBallyedmond is a village in the southeastern corner of Ireland. It is situated in County Wexford on the R741 regional road.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
- Ballyfadd
- BallygarrettBallygarrettBallygarrett is a rural village in the southeastern corner of Ireland. It is situated in County Wexford south of Gorey on the R742 regional road. It is twinned with Refugio, Texas....
- BallyhackBallyhack, County WexfordBallyhack is a small village located in the south-west of County Wexford, in Ireland, on the eastern shore of the Waterford Harbour, which is the estuary of The Three Sisters.-History:...
- Ballymitty
- BallywilliamBallywilliamBallywilliam is a village in the west of County Wexford, Ireland. The nearest town is New Ross. The village sits on the R731 road.-History:...
- BannowBannowBannow is an area situated in the south of County Wexford, in Ireland. An early Norman town was founded at Bannow. This town has since disappeared for unknown reasons, although the ruins of an early Norman church can still be seen there today . The Norman church is located near the former Island...
- BlackwaterBlackwater, County WexfordBlackwater is a rural village in County Wexford, Ireland. It lies mostly within the townland of Ballynaglogh on the R742 regional road north of Wexford.-Amenities:...
- BreeBree, County WexfordBree is a village located in the centre of County Wexford, in Ireland.-History:There is a well-preserved Portal tomb located nearby at Ballybrittas, on Bree Hill, which dates from the Neolithic period.-Details:...
- BridgetownBridgetown, County WexfordBridgetown is a small rural village, located sixteen kilometres from Wexford town on the R736 regional road, it's close to Duncormick and only six kilometres from the picturesque fishing village of Kilmore Quay. The population of the village is 747....
- BroadwayBroadway, County WexfordBroadway is a small village in the townland of Grange in southeast County Wexford, Ireland.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
- BunclodyBunclodyBunclody is a small town located on the River Slaney, on the border between counties Wexford and Carlow, Ireland. The R746 regional road intersects the N80 in the centre of the town. It is a picturesque town near the foot of Mount Leinster. Most of the town is situated in County Wexford...
- CamolinCamolin, County WexfordCamolin is a village in County Wexford in Ireland, situated in the valley of the River Bann on the N11 national primary route northeast of Ferns..-Transport:Camolin railway station opened on 1 November 1867, but finally closed on 30 March 1964....
- CampileCampileCampile is a small village situated in the south of County Wexford, Ireland. It is nine miles outside the town of New Ross.Nearby exists the ruins of an old Cistercian abbey of Dunbrody.-Transport:...
- CastlebridgeCastlebridgeCastlebridge is a small village on the R741 regional road in County Wexford, Ireland, north of Wexford Town. It is located near the River Slaney and just north of Wexford Harbour...
- CastletownCastletown, County WexfordCastletown, historically called Ballycaslane , is a small village in northeast County Wexford, Ireland.Castletown is in the parish of Kilgorman which is one of the earliest Christian settlements in Ireland...
- CleariestownCleariestownCleariestown , or Cleristown, is a small village situated in the south of County Wexford, in Ireland.Cleariestown village contains a R.C. church .-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland-External links:...
- ClohamonClohamonClohamon is a small, rural village located on the River Slaney near Bunclody in County Wexford, Ireland.There is a meat factory in Clohamon.In January 2007 there were 33 students in the local primary school.-See also:...
- ClonrocheClonrocheClonroche is a village in County Wexford, Ireland. It is located approximately west of Enniscorthy and approximately east of New Ross, on the N30 national primary route.-History:...
- CoolgreanyCoolgreanyCoolgreany is a village located in north County Wexford in Ireland. Nearby major towns are Arklow and Gorey. The village is located about 3 km from the N11 Dublin-Wexford road at Inch. Amenities include a Gaelic Athletic Association pitch, handball alley and National School...
- CourtownCourtownCourtown , formerly Ballinatray , is a village and Seaside resort in northeast County Wexford, Ireland. Courtown is situated on the Irish Sea coast. It is also referred to as Courtown Harbour and has merged into the adjoining village of Riverchapel. It lies on the R742 regional road.Both villages...
- CraanfordCraanfordCraanford is a small village in north County Wexford, Ireland, situated on the R725 regional road midway between Gorey and Carnew.It is closely associated with the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The village features an early 17th century corn mill which has been restored. Craanford also has a beautiful...
- CrossabegCrossabegCrossabeg or Crosabeg is a small village in County Wexford, Ireland, just north of Wexford town. It contains The Forge Storytelling House, Foley's Pub and a primary school.-Sport:...
- CullenstownCullenstownCullenstown is a small village located on the south coast of County Wexford, in Ireland.-Details:There is a small beach located nearby. It is home to the famous "Shell cottage."...
- CurracloeCurracloeCurracloe is a village in County Wexford, a few miles northeast of the town of Wexford, Ireland. It lies on the R742 regional road at the junction with R743, and is linked to the long and sandy Curracloe Strand by the short R743 road, to the east...
- DuncannonDuncannonDuncannon is a village in southwest County Wexford, Ireland. Bordered to the west by Waterford harbour and sitting on a rocky promontory jutting into the channel is the strategically prominent Duncannon Fort which dominates the village.Primarily a fishing village, Duncannon also relies heavily on...
- DuncormickDuncormickDuncormick or Duncormac is a rural village and surrounding community located the R736 regional road in County Wexford, Ireland. At the 2002 census, it had a population of 503. The village is 11 miles from Wexford Town, close to the fishing village of Kilmore Quay which is one of the largest...
- EnniscorthyEnniscorthyEnniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
- FernsFerns, County WexfordFerns is a small historic town in north County Wexford, Ireland with a population of about 900. It is 16 km from Enniscorthy, where the Gorey to Enniscorthy N11 road joins the R745 regional road...
- Fethard-on-SeaFethard-on-SeaFethard-on-Sea , or Fethard, is a village inn south-western County Wexford, Ireland on the eastern side of the Hook peninsula. It is in the parish of Templetown in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns. Neighbouring parishes are Duncannon, Ramsgrange and Ballycullane.- History :Now known as a fishing...
- FoulkesmillFoulkesmillFoulkesmill or Foulkesmills is small village located in the south of County Wexford, Ireland.-History:The Irish name Muileann Fúca was historically anglicised as Mullinfooky. The English name comes from Sir Foulkes Furlong who was Seneschall of Bree.A battle was fought near here on 20 June 1798,...
- GoreyGoreyGorey , is a market town in north County Wexford, Ireland, situated beside the main M11 Dublin to Wexford road. The town is also connected to the railway network along the same route. Local newspapers include the Gorey Guardian and Gorey Echo....
- HollyfortHollyfortHollyfort is a village in north County Wexford, Ireland. It lies within the townland of Mongan in the valley of the River Bann, 5 km northwest of Gorey...
- InchInch, County WexfordInch is located in County Wexford, in Ireland on the R772 road between Arklow and Gorey. In September 2007 Inch was bypassed, having formerly been on the N11 Dublin to Wexford road. There is a creamery here run by Glanbia....
- KillinierinKillinierinKilanerin or Killinierin , is a village in north County Wexford, Ireland, 4 kilometres west of the N11 road near the village of Inch and approximately 8 kilometres from the town of Gorey....
- KilmoreKilmore, County WexfordKilmore or Killmore is a village and townland in south County Wexford, Ireland, about from Wexford town. Kilmore has a number of claims to distinction, including the tradition of carol singing in the village church at Christmas time, which has been taking place for over 200 years. The history of...
- Kilmore QuayKilmore QuayKilmore Quay is a fishing village near Duncormick, in County Wexford, Ireland. It has a population of 417.It is a fishing village, but its leisure facilities such as sailing, and sea angling charters are also of significant economic importance....
- KilmuckridgeKilmuckridgeKilmuckridge is a small village in County Wexford in Ireland near the Irish Sea coast which is popular with weekend visitors and holidaymakers. It lies on the R742 regional road south of Gorey....
- KiltealyKiltealyKiltealy is a small village in the southeastern corner of Ireland. It is situated on the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains in County Wexford at the junction of the R702 and R730 regional roads, on the eastern flank of the Blackstairs Mountains.At the entrance to the village there is a...
- MonamolinMonamolinMonamolin or Monamoling is a small rural village in County Wexford, Ireland, about south of the town of Gorey.Monamolin , has a population of 661...
- MonaseedMonaseedMonaseed is a hamlet in North County Wexford.The tiny village centre comprises a Primary National School, a Catholic church, a Community Hall and a public house. Recent housing development has taken place outside the village boundary, which is itself very extensive relative to population. The...
- MurrintownMurrintownMurrintown , also spelled Murntown, is a small village located in the southeast of County Wexford, in Ireland, close to Wexford town. It is part of the parish of Piercestown....
- MonageerMonageerMonageer , or Monagear, is a small village situated in the centre of County Wexford, in Ireland. It is located a few kilometres roughly northeast of Enniscorthy town....
- NewbawnNewbawnNewbawn is a small village located in the southwest of County Wexford, in Ireland. It is located on the R735 regional road about 3 km south of the N25 national primary road.-Etymology:...
- New RossNew RossNew Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
- OulartOulartOulart , is a small village in the southeastern corner of Ireland. It is situated in County Wexford just off the R741 regional road halfway between the towns of Gorey to the north and Wexford to the south.Oulart's population is 197....
- OylegateOylegateOylegate or Oilgate , or, the older name, , is a small village in Ireland, located about half way between Wexford and Enniscorthy towns, in County Wexford...
- PoulpeastyPoulpeastyPoulpeasty, officially Pollpeasty , is a small village in the west of County Wexford, Ireland.-History:The village and surrounding area were once part of the large estate of the Carew family of nearby Castleboro House .-Details:...
- RathanganRathangan, County WexfordRathangan is a small village located in the south of County Wexford, in Ireland.-Details:It contains a shop, a primary school and a public house. It also contains a Roman Catholic church, which dates from 1873.-See also:...
- RosslareRosslare StrandRosslare Strand, or simply Rosslare , is a village and Seaside resort in County Wexford, Ireland. The name Rosslare Strand is used to distinguish it from the nearby community of Rosslare Harbour, site of the Rosslare Europort....
- Rosslare HarbourRosslare HarbourThe village of Rosslare Harbour grew up to serve the needs of the harbour of the same name , first developed in 1906 by the Great Western Railway and the Great Southern and Western Railway to accommodate steamferry traffic between Great Britain and Ireland...
- RaheenRaheen, County WexfordRaheen is a townland and village in County Wexford, Ireland. It lies 27 km from Wexford, 11 km from New Ross, and 23 km from Enniscorthy.-Etymology:...
- RathnureRathnureRathnure is a small village on the R731 regional road about from the town of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland. The village is located at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountain, which borders County Carlow on the opposite side.-Attractions:...
- SaltmillsSaltmillsSaltmills is a small village located in the south-west of County Wexford, in Ireland. The village is located at the head of a small inlet that enters Bannow Bay. The village received it's apt name from the renowned Iron Age salt mills that existed just outside the village.-Details:The village...
- TaghmonTaghmonTaghmon is a village in County Wexford, Ireland. It lies on the R738 regional road, 14 km west of Wexford town and 24 km east-southeast of New Ross.-History:...
- Watch House VillageWatch House VillageWatch House Village is a small village in County Wexford, Ireland, on the River Derry. It is a twin village of the much larger Clonegal in County Carlow on the other side of the river, which forms the county boundary.-History:...
- WellingtonbridgeWellingtonbridgeWellingtonbridge , also spelled Wellington Bridge, is a village in south County Wexford, Ireland. It lies some 24 km west of Wexford and 28 km east of Waterford, at the intersection of the R733 and R736 regional roads...
- WexfordWexfordWexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
Climate
Co. Wexford is known as Ireland's "sunny southeast" because, in general, the number of hours of sunshine received daily is higher than in the rest of the country. This has resulted in Wexford becoming one of the most popular places in Ireland in which to reside. The county has a mild, but changeable, oceanic climateOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
with few extremes. The North Atlantic Drift
North Atlantic Current
The North Atlantic Current is a powerful warm ocean current that continues the Gulf Stream northeast. West of Ireland it splits in two; one branch, the Canary Current, goes south, while the other continues north along the coast of northwestern Europe...
, a continuation of the Gulf Stream
Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean...
, moderates winter temperatures. There is a meteorological station
Weather station
A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind...
located at Rosslare Harbour
Rosslare Harbour
The village of Rosslare Harbour grew up to serve the needs of the harbour of the same name , first developed in 1906 by the Great Western Railway and the Great Southern and Western Railway to accommodate steamferry traffic between Great Britain and Ireland...
. January and February are generally the coldest months, with temperatures ranging between 4–8 on average. July and August are generally the warmest months, with temperatures ranging between 12–18 on average. The prevailing winds
Prevailing winds
Prevailing winds are winds that blow predominantly from a single general direction over a particular point on Earth's surface. The dominant winds are the trends in direction of wind with the highest speed over a particular point on the Earth's surface. A region's prevailing and dominant winds...
are from the south-west. Precipitation falls throughout the year. Mean Annual Rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
fall is between 800–1200 mm. Generally, the county receives less snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
than more northerly parts of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Serious snowfalls are relatively rare, but can occur. The one exception is Mount Leinster
Mount Leinster
At 796 metres Mount Leinster is the fifth highest mountain after Lugnaquilla 925m, Mullaghcleevaun 849m, Tonelegee 817m, and Cloghernagh 800m, in the province of Leinster, Ireland. It is the highest of the Blackstairs Mountains at 796 metres...
, visible from a large portion of the county, which is frequently covered with snow during the winter months. Frost
Frost
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapour available. Frost is also usually...
is frequent in winter months, less in coastal areas.
Mountains and hills
Largely low-lying fertile land is the characteristic landscape of the county. The highest point in the county is Mount Leinster (795 m, 2610 ft) in the Blackstairs MountainsBlackstairs Mountains
The Blackstairs Mountains run roughly north/south along the border between County Carlow and County Wexford in Ireland.-See also:*List of mountains in Ireland...
in the north-west on the boundary with Co. Carlow.
Other high points:
- Black Rock MountainBlack Rock Mountain, County WexfordBlack Rock Mountain is in the Blackstairs Mountains which are located on the Carlow-Wexford border.The Blackstairs are divided into two massifs, to the north Mount Leinster and to the south Blackstairs Mountain. Black Rock is the terminal peak of the eastern shoulder of Mount Leinster....
, which is 599 m (1,965 ft) high. It is located near the Wexford-Carlow border, within Co. Wexford. - Croghan MountainCroghan MountainCroghan Kinsella is a mountain in the Wicklow Mountains, on the Wicklow/Wexford border.The Wexford 'River Bann' rises from its southern slopes.-External links:*...
(or Croghan Kinsella) on the Wexford-Wicklow border - 606 m (1,988 ft) high - Annagh Hill 454 m (1,490 ft), near the Wicklow border
- SlieveboySlieveboySlieveboy is a mountain located in north County Wexford, Ireland. It rises directly above the village of Askamore, midway between Carnew and Camolin. The mountain is, except for the area around the summit, completely covered in forest...
at 420 m (1,378 ft) high
Notable hills include: Carrigbyrne Hill, Camross (or Camaross) Hill (181 m), Carrigmaistia (167 m), Bree Hill (179 m), Gibbet Hill, Vinegar Hill, Slievecoiltia and Forth Mountain (237 m), and Tara Hill.
Rivers and lakes
The major rivers are the SlaneyRiver Slaney
The Slaney is a river in the southeast of Ireland. It rises on Lugnaquilla Mountain in the western Wicklow Mountains and flows west and then south through counties Wicklow, Carlow and Wexford, before entering St George's Channel in the Irish Sea at Wexford town...
and the Barrow
River Barrow
The Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
.
At 192 km (119.3 mi) in length, the river Barrow is the second longest river on the island of Ireland.
Other smaller rivers of note are the Owenduff, Pollmounty, Corrock, Urrin, Boro, Owenavorragh, Sow and Bann
River Bann (Wexford)
River Bann is a river in County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. It rises in the southern slopes of Croghan Mountain in North Wexford on the County Wicklow border. It flows south and is joined by the Blackwater Stream near the village of Hollyfort...
rivers.
There are no significant fresh-water lakes in the county. Small seaside lakes or lagoon
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
s exist at two locations – one is called Lady's Island Lake
Lady's Island Lake
Lady's Island Lake is a brackish lake in the south of County Wexford, Ireland.The lake is technically a back-barrier seepage lagoon, one of only two in Ireland. The other is nearby Tacumshin Lake . The lake has no outlet, but is separated from the Atlantic Ocean at the southern end by a sand and...
and the other Tacumshin Lake.
Soil
Most, but not all, of the county was covered with the ice sheetIce sheet
An ice sheet is a mass of glacier ice that covers surrounding terrain and is greater than 50,000 km² , thus also known as continental glacier...
during the last Ice age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
. As the ice
Ice
Ice is water frozen into the solid state. Usually ice is the phase known as ice Ih, which is the most abundant of the varying solid phases on the Earth's surface. It can appear transparent or opaque bluish-white color, depending on the presence of impurities or air inclusions...
retreated, Co. Wexford would have been one of the first areas to be covered with glacial drift
Moraine
A moraine is any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions, such as those areas acted upon by a past glacial maximum. This debris may have been plucked off a valley floor as a glacier advanced or it may have...
(a mixture of boulder
Boulder
In geology, a boulder is a rock with grain size of usually no less than 256 mm diameter. While a boulder may be small enough to move or roll manually, others are extremely massive....
s, clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
, sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
and gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
) that blanketed the existing bedrock
Bedrock
In stratigraphy, bedrock is the native consolidated rock underlying the surface of a terrestrial planet, usually the Earth. Above the bedrock is usually an area of broken and weathered unconsolidated rock in the basal subsoil...
. This has led to high quality soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
s, suitable for a wide range of agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. A very detailed soil survey of the county was published in 1964, as part of the 'National Soil Survey of Ireland'. It classifies each area of the county according to its specific soil type
Soil type
In terms of soil texture, soil type usually refers to the different sizes of mineral particles in a particular sample. Soil is made up in part of finely ground rock particles, grouped according to size as sand, silt and clay...
.
Most of the county is covered with soil called Brown earth
Brown earth
Brown earth is a type of soil. Brown earths are mostly located between 35° and 55° north of the Equator. The largest expanses cover western and central Europe, large areas of western and trans-Uralian Russia, the east coast of America and eastern Asia. Here, areas of brown earth soil types are...
s, described as well-drained and having a wide use range. After that, Gleys
Gley soil
Gley soil in soil science is a type of hydric soil which exhibits a greenish-blue-grey soil color due to wetland conditions. On exposure to the air, gley colors are transformed to a mottled pattern of reddish, yellow or orange patches. During gley soil formation , the oxygen supply in the soil...
(poorly to imperfectly drained with a limited use range) are the next major soil type, primarily located in the south-east of the county and east of Gorey
Gorey
Gorey , is a market town in north County Wexford, Ireland, situated beside the main M11 Dublin to Wexford road. The town is also connected to the railway network along the same route. Local newspapers include the Gorey Guardian and Gorey Echo....
(along the coast). Gleys are dotted elsewhere around the county in small areas, and where they occur they generally form bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
land. The last major soil type is Brown Podzolics
Brown podzolic
Brown podzolic soils are a subdivision of the Podzolic soils in the British soil classification. Although classed with podzols because they have an iron-rich, or spodic horizon, they are, in fact intermediate between podzols and Brown earths...
, located mainly near the edges of the Blackstairs Mountain range
Blackstairs Mountains
The Blackstairs Mountains run roughly north/south along the border between County Carlow and County Wexford in Ireland.-See also:*List of mountains in Ireland...
and around Bunclody
Bunclody
Bunclody is a small town located on the River Slaney, on the border between counties Wexford and Carlow, Ireland. The R746 regional road intersects the N80 in the centre of the town. It is a picturesque town near the foot of Mount Leinster. Most of the town is situated in County Wexford...
and in the baronies of East Shelmalier and South Ballaghkeen. Though there are areas covered with other soil type
Soil type
In terms of soil texture, soil type usually refers to the different sizes of mineral particles in a particular sample. Soil is made up in part of finely ground rock particles, grouped according to size as sand, silt and clay...
s, these are of limited extent.
Flora
Common species of tree include oakOak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, ash, sycamore
Sycamore Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus, the sycamore maple, is a species of maple native to central Europe and southwestern Asia, from France east to Ukraine, and south in mountains to northern Spain, northern Turkey, and the Caucasus. It is not related to other trees called sycamore or plane tree in the Platanus...
, alder
Alder
Alder is the common name of a genus of flowering plants belonging to the birch family . The genus comprises about 30 species of monoecious trees and shrubs, few reaching large size, distributed throughout the North Temperate Zone and in the Americas along the Andes southwards to...
, blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
Prunus spinosa is a species of Prunus native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa. It is also locally naturalised in New Zealand and eastern North America....
, hawthorn, beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
and birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
. Less common (but plentiful) are wild cherry and Scots pine
Scots Pine
Pinus sylvestris, commonly known as the Scots Pine, is a species of pine native to Europe and Asia, ranging from Scotland, Ireland and Portugal in the west, east to eastern Siberia, south to the Caucasus Mountains, and as far north as well inside the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia...
(also called Red Deal). Elm
Elm
Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees comprising the genus Ulmus in the plant family Ulmaceae. The dozens of species are found in temperate and tropical-montane regions of North America and Eurasia, ranging southward into Indonesia. Elms are components of many kinds of natural forests...
is now far less common, due to the devastating effects of Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a disease caused by a member of the sac fungi category, affecting elm trees which is spread by the elm bark beetle. Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease has been accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native...
. Gorse (or furze) is very common. A priority habitat in Wexford is the grey dune
Grey dune
Grey dunes are fixed, stable sand dunes located 50–100 m from the edge of the ocean. Grey dunes occur on the landward side of bare white dunes. They are so named due to the presence of grasses and lichens such as the Cladonia species. This creates the characteristic grey colour....
, on which many native wild flora grow, including Bee Orchid
Bee Orchid
The Bee Orchid is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae.-Etymology:The name "Ophrys" derives from the Greek word "ophrys", meaning "eyebrow", while the Latin name of the species "apifera" refers to the bee-shaped lip.-Description: The Bee Orchid grows to a height of ....
and Pyramidal Orchid
Pyramidal orchid
The Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis, is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Genus Anacamptis of the family Orchidaceae...
. Despite the designation of much of this habitat as a Special Area of Conservation
Special Area of Conservation
A Special Area of Conservation is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive , also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora...
, it remains threatened by destruction for agricultural intensification. There is very little natural forest in the county. Most natural trees and vegetation grow on hedge
Hedge
Hedge may refer to:* Hedge or hedgerow, line of closely spaced shrubs planted to act as a barrier* Hedge , investment made to limit loss* Hedge , intentionally non-committal or ambiguous sentence fragments-See also:...
rows.
Fauna
South-eastern Wexford is an important site for wild birds—the north side of Wexford HarbourWexford Harbour
Wexford Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland is the natural harbour at the mouth of the River Slaney. The estuary originally was about ten miles wide at its widest point, with large mud flats on both sides. These were known as the North Slob and the South Slob from the Irish word slab, meaning mud...
, the North Slob
North Slob
The North Slob, also known as the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, is an area of mud-flats at the estuary of the River Slaney at Wexford Harbour, Ireland. The North Slob is an area of 1,000 hectares that was reclaimed in the mid-19th century by the building of a sea wall...
, is home to 10,000 Greenland White-Fronted Geese each winter (roughly one third of the entire world's population), while in the summer Lady's Island Lake
Lady's Island Lake
Lady's Island Lake is a brackish lake in the south of County Wexford, Ireland.The lake is technically a back-barrier seepage lagoon, one of only two in Ireland. The other is nearby Tacumshin Lake . The lake has no outlet, but is separated from the Atlantic Ocean at the southern end by a sand and...
is an important breeding site for tern
Tern
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily of the gull family Laridae . They form a lineage with the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and auks...
s, especially the Roseate Tern
Roseate Tern
The Roseate Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in bill colour and minor plumage details....
. Grey heron
Grey Heron
The Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
is also seen.
Throughout the county pheasant
Common Pheasant
The Common Pheasant , is a bird in the pheasant family . It is native to Georgia and has been widely introduced elsewhere as a game bird. In parts of its range, namely in places where none of its relatives occur such as in Europe , it is simply known as the "pheasant"...
, wood pigeon and feral
Feral
A feral organism is one that has changed from being domesticated to being wild or untamed. In the case of plants it is a movement from cultivated to uncultivated or controlled to volunteer. The introduction of feral animals or plants to their non-native regions, like any introduced species, may...
pigeons
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae . In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon"....
are widespread. Swan
Swan
Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae...
s, wild duck
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
, kingfisher, and owls (the long-eared owl, the short-eared owl, and the barn owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
) are less common - but plentiful. Red grouse
Red grouse
The Red Grouse is a medium sized bird of the grouse family which is found in heather moorland in Great Britain and Ireland. It is usually classified as a subspecies of the Willow Grouse but is sometimes considered to be a separate species Lagopus scoticus...
, once common, are now extremely scarce. The species has been in decline for some decades. Threats include habitat degradation, disease, predation and over-hunting. Red grouse in Ireland are now considered threatened. The corncrake, also once very common, is now almost never seen. Smaller birds—such as crows, swallows, robins, wrens and so on—are very common. The first magpie
Magpie
Magpies are passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae.In Europe, "magpie" is often used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie, as there are no other magpies in Europe outside Iberia...
s in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
were recorded by Robert Leigh, of Rosegarland, Co. Wexford, as having appeared in the County of Wexford about 1676.
Land mammals include badger
Badger
Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the weasel family, Mustelidae. There are nine species of badger, in three subfamilies : Melinae , Mellivorinae , and Taxideinae...
, rabbit
European Rabbit
The European Rabbit or Common Rabbit is a species of rabbit native to south west Europe and north west Africa . It has been widely introduced elsewhere often with devastating effects on local biodiversity...
, otter
European Otter
The European Otter , also known as the Eurasian otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter and Old World otter, is a European and Asian member of the Lutrinae or otter subfamily, and is typical of freshwater otters....
, hedgehog
Hedgehog
A hedgehog is any of the spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. There are 17 species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand . There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to the Americas...
, red fox
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
, mink
American Mink
The American mink is a semi-aquatic species of Mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe and South America. Because of this, it is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Since the extinction of the sea mink, the American mink is the...
, bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
s, squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
(red
Red Squirrel
The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia...
and grey squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The eastern gray squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus native to the eastern and midwestern United States, and to the southerly portions of the eastern provinces of Canada...
). Rat
Rat
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
(brown
Brown Rat
The brown rat, common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, Brown Norway rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat is one of the best known and most common rats....
and black
Black Rat
The black rat is a common long-tailed rodent of the genus Rattus in the subfamily Murinae . The species originated in tropical Asia and spread through the Near East in Roman times before reaching Europe by the 1st century and spreading with Europeans across the world.-Taxonomy:The black rat was...
), (It is nearly always the brown rat
Brown Rat
The brown rat, common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, Brown Norway rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat is one of the best known and most common rats....
that is seen; however, the black rat
Black Rat
The black rat is a common long-tailed rodent of the genus Rattus in the subfamily Murinae . The species originated in tropical Asia and spread through the Near East in Roman times before reaching Europe by the 1st century and spreading with Europeans across the world.-Taxonomy:The black rat was...
is also occasionally seen in Co. Wexford. Neither is native to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) and mice
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
(the wood (or field) mouse
Wood mouse
The wood mouse is a common murid rodent from Europe and northwestern Africa. It is closely related to the yellow-necked mouse but differs in that it has no band of yellow fur around the neck, has slightly smaller ears, and is usually slightly smaller overall: around 90 mm in length...
and house mouse
House mouse
The house mouse is a small rodent, a mouse, one of the most numerous species of the genus Mus.As a wild animal the house mouse mainly lives associated with humans, causing damage to crops and stored food....
). Two types of hare
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
—the Irish (or mountain) hare
Mountain Hare
The Mountain Hare , also known as Blue Hare, Tundra Hare, Variable Hare, White Hare, Alpine Hare and Irish Hare, is a hare, which is largely adapted to polar and mountainous habitats. It is distributed from Fennoscandia to eastern Siberia; in addition there are isolated populations in the Alps,...
and the less common brown (or European) hare
European Hare
The European hare , also known as the brown hare, Eastern Jackrabbit and Eastern prairie hare, is a species of hare native to northern, central, and western Europe and western Asia. It is a mammal adapted to temperate open country. It is related to the similarly appearing rabbit, which is in the...
—are found. Hare is not nearly as common as Rabbit. The stoat
Stoat
The stoat , also known as the ermine or short-tailed weasel, is a species of Mustelid native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip...
(Mustela erminea hibernica) is also reasonably common. Locally the stoat
Stoat
The stoat , also known as the ermine or short-tailed weasel, is a species of Mustelid native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip...
is just as often incorrectly called a weasel
Weasel
Weasels are mammals forming the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. They are small, active predators, long and slender with short legs....
.
Only two types of seal
Pinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
are found on Co. Wexford's coast—Atlantic grey seals are very plentiful in coastal areas, but the slightly smaller common (or harbour) seal
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
is less common, yet plentiful. The Small Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshell
The Small Tortoiseshell is a well-known colourful butterfly.-Range:It is found in temperate Europe, Asia Minor, Central Asia, Siberia, China, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. There are a few records from New York City which, however, are believed to have arrived human-assisted.-Subspecies:*A. u. urticae...
butterfly (reddish-orange colour, with black markings) is the most common species of butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
in the county. Various types of moth
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
are also common. The common frog
Common Frog
The Common Frog, Rana temporaria also known as the European Common Frog or European Common Brown Frog is found throughout much of Europe as far north as well north of the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia and as far east as the Urals, except for most of Iberia, southern Italy, and the southern Balkans...
is plentiful, and is the only type of frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
found.
History
The county is rich in evidence of early human habitation. Portal tombs (sometimes called dolmenDolmen
A dolmen—also known as a portal tomb, portal grave, dolmain , cromlech , anta , Hünengrab/Hünenbett , Adamra , Ispun , Hunebed , dös , goindol or quoit—is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb, usually consisting of...
s) exist at Ballybrittas (on Bree Hill) and at Newbawn
Newbawn
Newbawn is a small village located in the southwest of County Wexford, in Ireland. It is located on the R735 regional road about 3 km south of the N25 national primary road.-Etymology:...
— and date from the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period or earlier. Remains from the Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
period are far more widespread. Early Irish tribes formed the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnsealaig, an area that was slightly larger than the current County Wexford. The county was one of the earliest areas of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to be Christianised
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, in the early 5th century. Later, from 819 onwards, the Vikings plundered many Christian sites in the county. Wexford town became a Viking settlement near the end of the 9th century.
Wexford was the site of the invasion of Ireland by Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
in 1169 at the behest of Diarmuid Mac Murrough
Dermot MacMurrough
Diarmait Mac Murchada , anglicized as Dermot MacMurrough or Dermod MacMurrough , was a King of Leinster in Ireland. In 1167, he was deprived of his kingdom by the High King of Ireland - Turlough Mór O'Connor...
, King of Uí Cheinnsealaig and king of Leinster
Kings of Leinster
The following is a provisional list of the kings of Leinster who ruled the Irish kingdom of Leinster up to 1632 with the death of Domhnall Spainnach MacMurrough-Kavanagh, the last legitimately inaugurated head of the MacMurrough Kavanagh royal line...
(Laigin), which led to the subsequent colonisation of the country by the Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
s.
The native Irish began to regain some of their former territories in the 14th century, especially in the north of the county, principally under Art MacMurrough Kavanagh
Art mac Art MacMurrough-Kavanagh
Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánach is generally regarded as the most formidable of the later Kings of Leinster. He revived not only the royal family's prerogatives but their lands and power...
. Under Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
the great religious houses were dissolved, 1536–41; in Co. Wexford this included Glascarrig Priory, Clonmines Priory, Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey (County Wexford)
Tintern Abbey was a Cistercian abbey located on the Hook peninsula, County Wexford, Ireland.The Abbey – which is today in ruins, some of which have been restored – was founded in the 13th century by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, as the result of a vow he had made when his boat was...
, and Dunbrody Abbey
Dunbrody Abbey
Dunbrody Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in County Wexford, Ireland. The cross-shaped church was built in the 13th century, and the tower was added in the 15th century. With a length of 59m the church is one of the longest in Ireland...
.
On 23 October 1641, a major rebellion broke out in Ireland, and Co. Wexford produced strong support for Confederate Ireland
Confederate Ireland
Confederate Ireland refers to the period of Irish self-government between the Rebellion of 1641 and the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in 1649. During this time, two-thirds of Ireland was governed by the Irish Catholic Confederation, also known as the "Confederation of Kilkenny"...
. Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
and his English Parliamentarian Army arrived 1649 in the county and captured it. The lands of the Irish and Anglo-Normans were confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers as payment for their service in the Parliamentarian Army. At Duncannon
Duncannon
Duncannon is a village in southwest County Wexford, Ireland. Bordered to the west by Waterford harbour and sitting on a rocky promontory jutting into the channel is the strategically prominent Duncannon Fort which dominates the village.Primarily a fishing village, Duncannon also relies heavily on...
, in the south-west of the county, James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
, after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thronesthe Catholic King James and the Protestant King William across the River Boyne near Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland...
, embarked for Kinsale
Kinsale
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
and then to exile in France.
Co. Wexford was the most important area in which the Irish Rebellion of 1798
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
was fought, during which significant battles occurred at Vinegar Hill (Enniscorthy)
Battle of Vinegar Hill
The Battle of Vinegar Hill was an engagement during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 on 21 June 1798 when over 15,000 British soldiers launched an attack on Vinegar Hill outside Enniscorthy, County Wexford, the largest camp and headquarters of the Wexford United Irish rebels...
and New Ross
Battle of New Ross (1798)
The Battle of New Ross took place in County Wexford in south-eastern Ireland, during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was fought between the Irish Republican insurgents called the United Irishmen and British Crown forces composed of regular soldiers, militia and yeomanry...
. The famous ballad Boolavogue
Boolavogue (song)
"Boolavogue" is a famous Irish ballad commemorating the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was composed by Patrick Joseph McCall in 1898, for the centenary of the Rebellion issued Irish Noíníns ....
was written in remembrance of the Wexford Rising. At Easter 1916, a small rebellion
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
occurred at Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
town, on cue with that in Dublin. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, German planes
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
bombed Campile
Campile
Campile is a small village situated in the south of County Wexford, Ireland. It is nine miles outside the town of New Ross.Nearby exists the ruins of an old Cistercian abbey of Dunbrody.-Transport:...
. In 1963 John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, then President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, visited the county and his ancestral home at Dunganstown, near New Ross
New Ross
New Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
.
Local government
Wexford County CouncilWexford County Council
Wexford County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Wexford in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Chairman...
has twenty-one members. The Wexford constituency
Wexford (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
is represented by five deputies in Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
: John Browne
John Browne (Fianna Fáil)
John Browne is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency since 1982. He is a former Minister of State...
(FF
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
), Paul Kehoe
Paul Kehoe
Paul Kehoe is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency since 2002, and is the current Government Chief Whip.-Early and private life:...
(FG
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
), Brendan Howlin
Brendan Howlin
Brendan Howlin is an Irish Labour Party politician who has served as a Teachta Dála for Wexford since 1987. Currently the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, he previously served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Health.-Early life:Born into a highly...
(Lab
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
), Liam Twomey
Liam Twomey
Liam Twomey is an Irish Fine Gael politician and medical doctor. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency.Twomey was born in Bealad, Clonakilty in County Cork. He was educated at St...
(FG
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
) and Mick Wallace
Mick Wallace
Mick Wallace is an Irish independent politician, property developer and former football manager.-Early life:He was born in Wellingtonbridge, Wexford...
(Ind
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
)
Culture
Since 1951, an operaOpera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
festival, Wexford Festival Opera
Wexford Festival Opera
The Wexford Festival Opera is an opera festival that takes place in the town of Wexford in South-Eastern Ireland during the months of October and November.-Festival origins under Tom Walsh, 1951 to 1966:...
, takes place every year in the Theatre Royal in Wexford town and runs for several weeks. A new Opera House has recently replaced the old one on the same site, it is now called Wexford Opera House. The new theatre opened in 2008.
There is a renowned singing tradition in County Wexford. Having an abundance of traditional songs, many of which relate to the rebellion of 1798
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
, the county has for many years had a strong presence in the Irish traditional singing scene. Noted singers include All-Ireland Fleadh Champions Paddy Berry
Paddy Berry
Paddy Berry is a traditional Irish singer from Wexford, Ireland. Born and raised in Scar, Duncormick, Paddy Berry now lives in Drinagh, on the outskirts of Wexford Town. Paddy is a well known performer of local Wexford ballads, as well as a songwriter and song and folklore collector...
, Seamus Brogan and Niall Wall. Paddy Berry has also collected and published a number of songs from Wexford.
Beaches in Curracloe
Curracloe
Curracloe is a village in County Wexford, a few miles northeast of the town of Wexford, Ireland. It lies on the R742 regional road at the junction with R743, and is linked to the long and sandy Curracloe Strand by the short R743 road, to the east...
, Co. Wexford were used to film the opening scenes of the movie Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Robert Rodat. The film is notable for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which depicts the Omaha Beach assault of June 6, 1944....
, which depicted the D-day assault on Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II...
. The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002 film)
The Count of Monte Cristo is a 2002 adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. The film is the tenth adaptation of the book of the same name by Alexandre Dumas, père and stars Richard Harris, James Caviezel, Dagmara Dominczyk, Guy Pearce, and Luis Guzman...
, directed by Kevin Reynolds, was partly filmed in the village of Duncannon
Duncannon
Duncannon is a village in southwest County Wexford, Ireland. Bordered to the west by Waterford harbour and sitting on a rocky promontory jutting into the channel is the strategically prominent Duncannon Fort which dominates the village.Primarily a fishing village, Duncannon also relies heavily on...
in 2000 — Duncannon Fort being used for one of the main scenes.
Media
- There are two radio stations based in the county, South East RadioSouth East RadioSouth East Radio is an Irish radio station, broadcasting at: 95.6; 96.2, and 96.4 MHz. Its broadcasts across Co. Wexford from studios in a 19th Century Georgian-Styled former bank branch, located on Wexford's quay....
and Beat FM.
- The county's main newspapers include Wexford PeopleWexford PeopleThe Wexford People is a local or regional newspaper published once per week in County Wexford, Ireland.-Content:The newspaper contains stories relating primarily to Wexford town and its surrounding area, as well as stories relating to Co. Wexford....
, New Ross StandardNew Ross StandardThe New Ross Standard is a local newspaper published once per week in County Wexford, Ireland. It is published in colour.-Content:...
, Gorey GuardianGorey GuardianThe Gorey Guardian is a local newspaper published once per week in County Wexford, Ireland. It is published in colour.-Content:...
, and Enniscorthy EchoEnniscorthy EchoThe Enniscorthy Echo is a local newspaper published once per week in County Wexford, Ireland. It is published in colour.-History:...
.
Places of interest
The scenic Bannow Drive, popular amongst tourists, is a signposted route through four Wexford villages: DuncormickDuncormick
Duncormick or Duncormac is a rural village and surrounding community located the R736 regional road in County Wexford, Ireland. At the 2002 census, it had a population of 503. The village is 11 miles from Wexford Town, close to the fishing village of Kilmore Quay which is one of the largest...
, Cullenstown
Cullenstown
Cullenstown is a small village located on the south coast of County Wexford, in Ireland.-Details:There is a small beach located nearby. It is home to the famous "Shell cottage."...
, Bannow
Bannow
Bannow is an area situated in the south of County Wexford, in Ireland. An early Norman town was founded at Bannow. This town has since disappeared for unknown reasons, although the ruins of an early Norman church can still be seen there today . The Norman church is located near the former Island...
and Wellingtonbridge
Wellingtonbridge
Wellingtonbridge , also spelled Wellington Bridge, is a village in south County Wexford, Ireland. It lies some 24 km west of Wexford and 28 km east of Waterford, at the intersection of the R733 and R736 regional roads...
.
Ballyteigue Burrow, located near Duncormick
Duncormick
Duncormick or Duncormac is a rural village and surrounding community located the R736 regional road in County Wexford, Ireland. At the 2002 census, it had a population of 503. The village is 11 miles from Wexford Town, close to the fishing village of Kilmore Quay which is one of the largest...
, is one the finest protected sand dune
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
systems in Ireland. Rich in wildflowers, wildlife and butterflies, this 9 km coastal stretch is a protected nature reserve by the golden sands of Ballyteigue Bay, with spectacular scenery.
The Hook Peninsula
Hook Peninsula
The Hook Peninsula is a peninsula in County Wexford, Ireland. It has been a gateway to south-east Ireland for successive waves of newcomers, including the Vikings, Anglo-Normans and the English....
is noted for its many beaches and spectacular scenery. It features the medieval Hook Head
Hook Head
Hook Head is a headland in County Wexford, Ireland located on the east side of the estuary of the three sisters rivers . It is part of the Hook peninsula and is adjacent to the historic townland of Loftus Hall...
lighthouse and the historic townland of Loftus Hall
Loftus Hall
Loftus Hall is a large mansion house on the Hook peninsula, County Wexford, Ireland that is said to have been haunted both by the devil and by the ghost of a young woman....
.
Popular beaches are located at Courtown
Courtown
Courtown , formerly Ballinatray , is a village and Seaside resort in northeast County Wexford, Ireland. Courtown is situated on the Irish Sea coast. It is also referred to as Courtown Harbour and has merged into the adjoining village of Riverchapel. It lies on the R742 regional road.Both villages...
, Curracloe
Curracloe
Curracloe is a village in County Wexford, a few miles northeast of the town of Wexford, Ireland. It lies on the R742 regional road at the junction with R743, and is linked to the long and sandy Curracloe Strand by the short R743 road, to the east...
, and Duncannon
Duncannon
Duncannon is a village in southwest County Wexford, Ireland. Bordered to the west by Waterford harbour and sitting on a rocky promontory jutting into the channel is the strategically prominent Duncannon Fort which dominates the village.Primarily a fishing village, Duncannon also relies heavily on...
.
Other places of interest include:
- FernsFerns, County WexfordFerns is a small historic town in north County Wexford, Ireland with a population of about 900. It is 16 km from Enniscorthy, where the Gorey to Enniscorthy N11 road joins the R745 regional road...
Castle and Abbey - EnniscorthyEnniscorthyEnniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
Castle and Museum - Vinegar HillBattle of Vinegar HillThe Battle of Vinegar Hill was an engagement during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 on 21 June 1798 when over 15,000 British soldiers launched an attack on Vinegar Hill outside Enniscorthy, County Wexford, the largest camp and headquarters of the Wexford United Irish rebels...
- National 1798 Visitor Centre
- BoolavogueBoolavogueBoolavogue, also spelt Boolavoge or Boleyvogue , is a village 5 miles northeast of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, Ireland. It is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns....
- The Browne-Clayton MonumentBrowne-Clayton MonumentThe Browne-Clayton Monument is a 94 ft 4in Corinthian column on a square pedestal base on Carrigadaggan Hill, Carrigbyrne, Co. Wexford, just off the N.25 route between the Irish towns of Wexford and New Ross...
- Oulart HillBattle of Oulart HillThe Battle of Oulart Hill took place on 27 May 1798 when a rebel gathering of 1,000 annihilated a detachment of militia sent from Wexford town to stamp out the spreading rebellion in county Wexford.-Background:...
- Castleboro House
- The Seven 'Castles' of Clonmines
- Johnstown Castle
- Ballyteigue Castle
- BannowBannowBannow is an area situated in the south of County Wexford, in Ireland. An early Norman town was founded at Bannow. This town has since disappeared for unknown reasons, although the ruins of an early Norman church can still be seen there today . The Norman church is located near the former Island...
Church (dates from 13th century) - Selskar Abbey, WexfordWexfordWexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
town - Irish National Heritage Park (Ferrycarrig)
- TacumshinTacumshaneTacumshane is a small village in the southeast of County Wexford, Ireland. It is located 15 km south of Wexford town.-Name:The official name of the village is Tacumshane. In Irish it is called Teach as Sheáin, which means "Seán's House" or literally "House of Seán". The name of the village is...
windmill (southeast Co. Wexford) - St. Mary's Church (New RossNew RossNew Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
) - Dunbrody AbbeyDunbrody AbbeyDunbrody Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in County Wexford, Ireland. The cross-shaped church was built in the 13th century, and the tower was added in the 15th century. With a length of 59m the church is one of the longest in Ireland...
- Tintern AbbeyTintern Abbey (County Wexford)Tintern Abbey was a Cistercian abbey located on the Hook peninsula, County Wexford, Ireland.The Abbey – which is today in ruins, some of which have been restored – was founded in the 13th century by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, as the result of a vow he had made when his boat was...
- Slade Castle
- BallyhackBallyhack, County WexfordBallyhack is a small village located in the south-west of County Wexford, in Ireland, on the eastern shore of the Waterford Harbour, which is the estuary of The Three Sisters.-History:...
Castle - J.F. Kennedy homestead and park
- Slieve Coilte
- DuncannonDuncannonDuncannon is a village in southwest County Wexford, Ireland. Bordered to the west by Waterford harbour and sitting on a rocky promontory jutting into the channel is the strategically prominent Duncannon Fort which dominates the village.Primarily a fishing village, Duncannon also relies heavily on...
Fort
Agriculture
The economy is chiefly agricultural. CattleCattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, sheep
Domestic sheep
Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...
, pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
rearing and some horse breeding
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
are the main types of husbandry
Animal husbandry
Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.- History :Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years, since the first domestication of animals....
practiced. Poultry
Poultry
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
rearing, once popular, has very much declined. Wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
, rapeseed
Rapeseed
Rapeseed , also known as rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rappi, rapaseed is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae...
, and oat
Oat
The common oat is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name . While oats are suitable for human consumption as oatmeal and rolled oats, one of the most common uses is as livestock feed...
s are grown, as are potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es. Sugar beet
Sugar beet
Sugar beet, a cultivated plant of Beta vulgaris, is a plant whose tuber contains a high concentration of sucrose. It is grown commercially for sugar production. Sugar beets and other B...
is no longer grown due to the withdrawal of EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
subsidies
Subsidy
A subsidy is an assistance paid to a business or economic sector. Most subsidies are made by the government to producers or distributors in an industry to prevent the decline of that industry or an increase in the prices of its products or simply to encourage it to hire more labor A subsidy (also...
. The numbers involved in farming have been declining for many years and many of the seasonal workers are now eastern Europeans. Mushroom
Mushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
s are also grown indoors. Tomato
Tomato
The word "tomato" may refer to the plant or the edible, typically red, fruit which it bears. Originating in South America, the tomato was spread around the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas, and its many varieties are now widely grown, often in greenhouses in cooler...
es are grown under glass, for example at Campile
Campile
Campile is a small village situated in the south of County Wexford, Ireland. It is nine miles outside the town of New Ross.Nearby exists the ruins of an old Cistercian abbey of Dunbrody.-Transport:...
. Wexford strawberries
Garden Strawberry
The garden strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, is a hybrid species that is cultivated worldwide for its fruit, the strawberry. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness...
are famous and can be bought in shops and wayside stalls throughout the summer. Every year, near the end of June, a 'Strawberry Fair' Festival takes place in the town of Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
, and a Strawberry Queen is crowned. Dairy farming
Dairy farming
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...
forms an important part of the agricultural industry. Locally produced milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
is on sale in many supermarkets. Wexford Irish Cheddar
Cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is a relatively hard, yellow to off-white, and sometimes sharp-tasting cheese, produced in several countries around the world. It has its origins in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset....
is an award-winning brand, and Carrigbyrne, a full-flavoured soft cheese, is produced near New Ross.
Forestry
Evergreen tree species are extensively cultivated, especially in more recent years—Norway SpruceNorway Spruce
Norway Spruce is a species of spruce native to Europe. It is also commonly referred to as the European Spruce.- Description :...
and Sitka Spruce are the most common varieties planted. These are generally sown on poorer quality soils (mainly in bogs and on hills or mountainsides). A small amount of deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
trees are also planted, though these require better soils.
Mining
SilverSilver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
was once mined at Clonmines—primarily in Tudor times. Lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
was mined at Caim, 1818-c1850—this mine also contains zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
; the two are usually found together. Copper ore (Malachite
Malachite
Malachite is a copper carbonate mineral, with the formula Cu2CO32. This green-colored mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms...
) is found at Kerloge, just south of the town of Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
. Iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
is found in small quantities at Courtown Harbour. The county is not noted for mineral reserves. No significant mining activity is currently practised, with the exception of quarrying for stone. In 2007, a significant oil find was made 60 kilometres off Hook Head in Co Wexford.
Energy
Carnsore Point
Carnsore Point is a headland in the very South East corner of County Wexford, Ireland. This headland is Ireland's southern limit point of the Irish Sea....
made the national headlines in the late 1970s after a proposal was made to build a nuclear energy
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
plant there; the plans were abandoned after extensive protests from the public, due to environmental and health concerns. A wind farm has now been built on the site, featuring 14 wind turbines generating electricity. It was completed in November 2002 and was the first wind farm on the east coast of Ireland. Wind farms now exist at a few other locations in the county, such as Ballywater Wind Farm
Ballywater Wind Farm
The Ballywater Wind Farm is located between the villages of Kilmuckridge and Ballygarrett, and is located directly beside Ballinoulart in County Wexford, Ireland. It commenced operation in 2005 and has a capacity of 42 MW and consists of 21 gearless E-70 E4 2 MW Enercon wind turbines. It is clearly...
, at Cahore (near Kilmuckridge
Kilmuckridge
Kilmuckridge is a small village in County Wexford in Ireland near the Irish Sea coast which is popular with weekend visitors and holidaymakers. It lies on the R742 regional road south of Gorey....
), on the county's east coast, and Richfield wind farm, located in the southeast of the county.
Great Island Power Station opened in 1967 and was operated by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) until it was sold to Endesa
Endesa (Spain)
Endesa, S.A. is the largest electric utility company in Spain. The firm, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Italian utility company Enel, has 10 million customers in Spain, with domestic annual generation of over 97,600 GWh from nuclear, fossil-fueled, hydroelectric, and renewable resource power...
in January 2009. It is an electricity-generating station fueled by heavy fuel oil
Fuel oil
Fuel oil is a fraction obtained from petroleum distillation, either as a distillate or a residue. Broadly speaking, fuel oil is any liquid petroleum product that is burned in a furnace or boiler for the generation of heat or used in an engine for the generation of power, except oils having a flash...
and rated at 240 MW. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Barrow
River Barrow
The Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
and Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
, near Campile
Campile
Campile is a small village situated in the south of County Wexford, Ireland. It is nine miles outside the town of New Ross.Nearby exists the ruins of an old Cistercian abbey of Dunbrody.-Transport:...
. Before its sale, the station was scheduled to close by 2010. Endesa propose building a 430 MW combined cycle gas turbine
Combined cycle
In electric power generation a combined cycle is an assembly of heat engines that work in tandem off the same source of heat, converting it into mechanical energy, which in turn usually drives electrical generators...
(CCGT) gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
fired plant on the site. The project would need a new 44.5 km gas pipepline from the existing transmission network at at Baunlusk, 6 km south of Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
City.
Transport
- Road: Recent years have seen a major upgrading of the county's main roads.
- Bus: Rosslare and Dublin are also linked by Bus ÉireannBus ÉireannBus Éireann provides bus services in Ireland with the exception of those operated entirely within the Dublin Region, which are provided by Dublin Bus. Bus Éireann, established as a separate company in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann. The logo of Bus Éireann incorporates a red Irish...
route 2, while route 5 operates Waterford-New Ross-Enniscorthy-Dublin.
- Rail: The Rosslare–Dublin railway line runs through the county, serving Rosslare Europort, Rosslare Strand, Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey. Three trains run in each direction daily, with additional commuter services from Gorey. The Rosslare–Limerick railway line runs through the southern part of the county, serving Bridgetown, Wellington Bridge, Ballycullane and Campile.
- Ferry: Rosslare EuroportRosslare EuroportRosslare Europort is a modern seaport located at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland, near the southeastern-most point of Ireland's coastline, handling passenger and freight ferries to and from Wales and France....
, located at Rosslare HarbourRosslare HarbourThe village of Rosslare Harbour grew up to serve the needs of the harbour of the same name , first developed in 1906 by the Great Western Railway and the Great Southern and Western Railway to accommodate steamferry traffic between Great Britain and Ireland...
, operates a busy Ferry serviceFerryA ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
. There are regular sailings to WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
(PembrokePembroke, PembrokeshirePembroke is an historic settlement and former county town of Pembrokeshire in west Wales. The town and the county derive their name from that of the cantref of Penfro: Pen = "head" or "end", and bro = "region", "country", "land", and so it means essentially "Land's End".-History:The main point of...
and FishguardFishguardFishguard is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, with a population of 3,300 . The community of Fishguard and Goodwick had a population of 5043 at the 2001 census....
) and FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(CherbourgCherbourg-Octeville-Main sights:* La Glacerie has a race track.* The Cité de la Mer is a large museum devoted to scientific and historical aspects of maritime subjects.* Cherbourg Basilica* Jardin botanique de la Roche Fauconnière, a private botanical garden.* Le Trident theatre...
, RoscoffRoscoffRoscoff is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France.The nearby Île de Batz, called Enez Vaz in Breton, is a small island that can be reached by launch from the harbour....
and Le HavreLe HavreLe Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
) for passengers and vehicles. There is also ferry service in operation between Ballyhack and Passage East (Co. Waterford), crossing the Barrow estuaryRiver BarrowThe Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
.
Gaelic games
GAAGaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
is very popular in the county, which is noted most for hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
. Wexford last won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
in 1996, beating Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the final. However, there has been a rapid decline since then in terms of success. In recent years the county Football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
team has been making rapid advances. Camogie
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
, a women's version of hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
, is also played, and Wexford won the All Ireland in 2007 and 2010. Wexford Park
Wexford Park
Wexford Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Wexford, Ireland. It is the home of Wexford GAA's Gaelic football and hurling teams. After a recent development the ground has a capacity of about 25,000....
is the county's main GAA pitch. Also, handball
Gaelic handball
Gaelic handball is a sport similar to Basque pelota, racquetball, squash and American handball . It is one of the four Gaelic games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
is played on a limited basis; there are a number of handball alleys located throughout the county.
Soccer
Wexford Youths F.C.Wexford Youths F.C.
Wexford Youths Football Club are an Irish football club from Wexford who compete in the Airtricity League First Division. The club joined the league after being awarded a First Division licence for the 2007 season. The opportunity to join the League of Ireland arose as Dublin City became bankrupt...
, recently formed, is the major soccer club in the county, currently playing in the League of Ireland First Division.
Golf
There are numerous golf clubs in the county - including Rosslare (a Links courseLinks (golf)
A links is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word "links" comes from the Scots language and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes and sometimes to open parkland. It also retains this more general meaning in the Scottish English dialect...
), and Enniscorthy. Two more are located near Gorey - Ballymoney Golf Club and Courtown Golf Club - both 18-hole courses. Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club, boasting Europe's only golf lift, is situated just inside County Carlow
County Carlow
County Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. There are also a few others. New Ross Golf Club
New Ross Golf Club
New Ross Golf Club is an Irish golf club founded in 1905 and based in Tinneranny, New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. The club's slogan is "A Pleasure to Play".-History:...
, however, is actually located in County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
- about 1 km from New Ross town.
There are also many par-3 courses in the county, such as Scarke Golf Course & Driving Range, located about 2 km east of New Ross town, the 'Abbey Par 3' course, at Winningtown, Fethard-on-Sea, Blackwater Par 3 Golf Course, Kilnew, Blackwater, located a few kilometres northeast of Wexford town, Garrylough Golf Course and Driving Range, Screen, and Rathaspeck Manor Golf Course, Rathaspeck, near Rosslare (there are also few Par-4 holes on this course). There are also a number of other Par-3 courses in the county.
Fishing
Much maritime activity takes place - especially at Kilmore QuayKilmore Quay
Kilmore Quay is a fishing village near Duncormick, in County Wexford, Ireland. It has a population of 417.It is a fishing village, but its leisure facilities such as sailing, and sea angling charters are also of significant economic importance....
and Slade, but also on a smaller scale at many other locations. Common fish species include herring
Herring
Herring is an oily fish of the genus Clupea, found in the shallow, temperate waters of the North Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans, including the Baltic Sea. Three species of Clupea are recognized. The main taxa, the Atlantic herring and the Pacific herring may each be divided into subspecies...
, mackerel
Mackerel
Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of fish, mostly, but not exclusively, from the family Scombridae. They may be found in all tropical and temperate seas. Most live offshore in the oceanic environment but a few, like the Spanish mackerel , enter bays and can be...
, cod
Cod
Cod is the common name for genus Gadus, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name for various other fishes. Cod is a popular food with a mild flavor, low fat content and a dense, flaky white flesh. Cod livers are processed to make cod liver oil, an important source of...
, monkfish
Monkfish
Monkfish is the English name of a number of types of fish in the northwest Atlantic, most notably the species of the anglerfish genus Lophius and the angelshark genus Squatina...
, whiting
Merlangius merlangus
Merlangius merlangus, commonly known as whiting is an important food fish in the eastern North Atlantic, northern Mediterranean, western Baltic, and Black Sea...
, bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
, perch
Perch
Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca, freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The perch, of which there are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke meaning spotted, and the...
, gurnard
Sea robin
Sea robins, also known as gurnard, are bottom-feeding scorpaeniform fishes in the family Triglidae. They get their name from their large pectoral fins, which, when swimming, open and close like a bird's wings in flight....
, haddock
Haddock
The haddock , also known as the offshore hake, is a marine fish distributed on both sides of the North Atlantic. Haddock is a popular food fish and is widely fished commercially....
, mullet
Mullet (fish)
The mullets or grey mullets are a family and order of ray-finned fish found worldwide in coastal temperate and tropical waters, and in some species in fresh water. Mullets have served as an important source of food in Mediterranean Europe since Roman times...
, pollock
Pollock
Pollock is the common name used for either of the two species of marine fish in the Pollachius genus. Both P. pollachius and P. virens are commonly referred to as pollock. Other names for P...
, John Dory
John Dory
John Dory, also known as St Pierre or Peter's Fish, refers to fish of the genus Zeus, especially Zeus faber, of widespread distribution. It is an edible benthic coastal marine fish with a laterally compressed olive-yellow body which has a large dark spot, and long spines on the dorsal fin...
, sole
Sole (fish)
Sole is a group of flatfish belonging to several families. Generally speaking, they are members of the family Soleidae, but, outside Europe, the name sole is also applied to various other similar flatfish, especially other members of the sole suborder Soleoidei as well as members of the flounder...
, conger eel
European conger
The European conger, Conger conger, is a conger of the family Congridae, found in the eastern Atlantic from Norway and Iceland to Senegal, and also in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. It is sometimes seen in very shallow water by the shore but can also go down to depths of 1170 m...
, shad
Shad
The shads or river herrings comprise the genus Alosa, fish related to herring in the family Clupeidae. They are distinct from others in that family by having a deeper body and spawning in rivers. The several species frequent different areas on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea....
, salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
, trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
, pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
, carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
, and tench
Tench
The tench or doctor fish is a freshwater and brackish water fish of the cyprinid family found throughout Eurasia from Western Europe including the British Isles east into Asia as far as the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. It is also found in Lake Baikal...
. Shellfish include mussel
Mussel
The common name mussel is used for members of several families of clams or bivalvia mollusca, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval.The...
s, cockles
Cockle (bivalve)
Cockle is the common name for a group of small, edible, saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Cardiidae.Various species of cockles live in sandy sheltered beaches throughout the world....
, periwinkles
Common Periwinkle
The common periwinkle or winkle, scientific name Littorina littorea, is a species of small edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk which has gills and an operculum, and is classified within the family Littorinidae, the periwinkles....
, clam
Clam
The word "clam" can be applied to freshwater mussels, and other freshwater bivalves, as well as marine bivalves.In the United States, "clam" can be used in several different ways: one, as a general term covering all bivalve molluscs...
s, and oyster
Oyster
The word oyster is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve molluscs which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified....
s.
Racing
Wexford Racecourse (horse racingHorse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
) is located at Wexford town
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
and there is a Greyhound Racing track at Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
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People
- Patrick Nicholas Bolger - Captain, Irish Merchant Navy, received medal from Soviets for bringing supplies to Russia during WWII through waters filled with Nazi U-boats
- John BarryJohn Barry (naval officer)John Barry was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy. He is often credited as "The Father of the American Navy"...
- Commander United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. - John BanvilleJohn BanvilleJohn Banville is an Irish novelist and screenwriter.Banville's breakthrough novel The Book of Evidence was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and won the Guinness Peat Aviation award. His eighteenth novel, The Sea, won the Man Booker Prize in 2005. He was awarded the Franz Kafka Prize in 2011...
- journalistJournalistA journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and author (winner of the Man Booker PrizeMan Booker PrizeThe Man Booker Prize for Fiction is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe. The winner of the Man Booker Prize is generally assured of international renown and...
in 2005). - Paddy BerryPaddy BerryPaddy Berry is a traditional Irish singer from Wexford, Ireland. Born and raised in Scar, Duncormick, Paddy Berry now lives in Drinagh, on the outskirts of Wexford Town. Paddy is a well known performer of local Wexford ballads, as well as a songwriter and song and folklore collector...
- singerTraditional Irish SingersSome of the traditional Irish singers alphabetically listed below are known to have sung in both the Irish and English language and if so are listed in both sections below as well known singers of macaronic Irish songs.-Mainly English language songs:...
, song collector and folklorist. - Wallis BirdWallis BirdWallis Bird is an Irish musician. She lives and works in London.-Biography:The first time Bird came into touch with music, she was six months old and received her first guitar from her father...
- musician. - Myles ByrneMyles ByrneMyles Byrne was a leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and chef de bataillon in Napoleon’s Irish Legion.-Early life:Myles Byrne was born in the townland of Ballylusk near Monaseed, County Wexford, Ireland, 20 March 1780, into a Catholic family.-1798 Rebellion & Aftermath:Byrne participated in...
- participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798Irish Rebellion of 1798The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
. - Thomas CloneyThomas CloneyThomas Cloney was a County Wexford leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.He was the only son of Denis Cloney, a prosperous middleman, of Moneyhore, Wexford, and his wife, Mary Kavanagh , a native of Ballybeg, County Carlow, both Roman Catholics...
- participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798Irish Rebellion of 1798The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
. - John Henry ColcloughJohn Henry ColcloughJohn Henry Colclough was an Irish revolutionary during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.He was born circa 1769 into an old landowning Wexford family, the son of Thomas Francis Colclough and lived at Ballyteigue, Kilmore, in the barony of Bargy, Co. Wexford. He went abroad to study medicine and...
– participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798Irish Rebellion of 1798The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland... - Eoin ColferEoin ColferEoin Colfer is an Irish author. He is most famous as the author of the Artemis Fowl series, but he has also written other successful books. His novels have been compared to the works of J. K. Rowling...
- best-selling children's author. - Brendan Corish - Irish Labour PartyLabour Party (Ireland)The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
leader and TánaisteTánaisteThe Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
. - Francis DanbyFrancis DanbyFrancis Danby was an Irish painter of the Romantic era. His imaginative, dramatic landscapes were comparable to those of John Martin. Danby initially developed his imaginative style while he was the central figure in a group of artists who have come to be known as the Bristol School...
- 19th century painter. - Pádraic DelaneyPádraic DelaneyPádraic Delaney is an Irish actor best known for playing Teddy O'Donovan in the Ken Loach film The Wind That Shakes the Barley, for which he earned an IFTA nomination as well as being named Irish Shooting Star for the 2007 Berlin Film Festival...
- actor. - Anne DoyleAnne DoyleAnne Doyle is a newsreader for the Irish broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann . She currently presents RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock. She is "the most popular television newsreader for a generation" and is regarded as an icon....
- RTÉRaidió Teilifís ÉireannRaidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
newsreader. - Kevin DoyleKevin DoyleKevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
- soccer player. - John FrenchJohn FrenchJohn French may refer to:* John French , English doctor and chemist* John French , Canadian ice hockey player* John French , American drummer and musician...
- maternal grandfather of George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other... - Nicholas FrenchNicholas FrenchNicholas French , Roman Catholic Bishop of Ferns, was an Irish political activist and pamphleteer, who was born at Wexford....
- former RC Bishop of Ferns. - Nicholas FurlongNicholas FurlongNicholas Furlong is an Irish farmer, journalist, author and historian from County Wexford.-Personal life:Nicholas Furlong was born in Wexford in 1929. He became a dairy farmer on the family farm at Mulgannon. His father also owned a Pub, located on Wexford town’s main street...
- author, journalist and historian. - Edward HayEdward Hay (County Wexford)Edward Hay was the author of a book on the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and a witness to many of the events of that time.-Early life:...
- author of a history of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. - Beauchamp Bagenal HarveyBagenal HarveyBeauchamp Bagenal Harvey was a barrister and a commander of the United Irishmen in the Battle of New Ross during the 1798 Rebellion....
- participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. - Herbert HoreHerbert F. HoreHerbert Francis Hore was an Irish historian, archaeologist, and author, born at County Wexford, Ireland. The Hore family, of which he was a member, were relatively large landowners and first arrived in Co...
- historian. - Patrick Kennedy - great-grandfather of John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
(former president of the United StatesPresident of the United StatesThe President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
). - Father John Murphy - participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
- Aidan O'BrienAidan O'BrienAidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
- horse trainer. - Michael O'HanrahanMichael O'HanrahanMichael O'Hanrahan was an Irish rebel who took an active role in the 1916 Easter Rising.-Background:Born in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, he was the son of Richard O’Hanrahan and Mary Williams. His father appears to have been involved in the 1867 Fenian rising...
- Irish rebel executed for fighting in the 1916 Easter RisingEaster RisingThe Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
. - Nicky RackardNicky RackardNicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
- hurling player. - John RedmondJohn RedmondJohn Edward Redmond was an Irish nationalist politician, barrister, MP in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party from 1900 to 1918...
- 19th/20th century nationalist politician. - Billy RocheBilly RocheBilly Roche is an Irish playwright and actor. He was born and still lives in Wexford and most of his writings are based there...
- playwright. - Dick RocheDick RocheDick Roche is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Wicklow constituency, and also served in Seanad Éireann from 1992 to 1997.-Early and private life:...
- politician. - James Ryan - politician and Irish Revolutionary.
- Martin StoreyMartin StoreyMartin Storey is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Oulart-the Ballagh and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1986 until 2001. Storey captained Wexford to All-Ireland victory in 1996 and is regarded as one of the county's greatest-ever...
- hurling player. - Colm TóibínColm TóibínColm Tóibín is a multi-award-winning Irish novelist, short story writer, essayist, playwright, journalist, critic, and, most recently, poet.Tóibín is Leonard Milberg Lecturer in Irish Letters at Princeton University in New Jersey and succeeded Martin Amis as professor of creative writing at the...
- Booker Prize-nominated author. - Michael BalfeMichael William BalfeMichael William Balfe was an Irish composer, best-remembered for his opera The Bohemian Girl.After a short career as a violinist, Balfe pursued an operatic singing career, while he began to compose. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he composed 38 operas, almost 250 songs and other works...
- 19th century composer, grew up in Wexford. - Major G. E. H. Barrett-HamiltonGerald Edwin Hamilton Barrett-HamiltonMajor Gerald Edwin Hamilton Barrett-Hamilton was a notable British natural historian, co-author with M. A. C. Hinton of A History of British Mammals , which remained "the most thorough, accurate and scientific publication" on British mammals until the 1950s.He was born in India of Irish parents,...
- zoologist, grew up in Kilmanock - Des BishopDes BishopDes Bishop is an Irish comedian and was brought up in New York. He is now primarily based in Ireland, after moving to County Wexford in 1990 at the age of 14.-Approach to Comedy:...
- London-born comedian, based in Co. Wexford. - Chris de BurghChris de BurghChris de Burgh is a British/Irish singer-songwriter. He is most famous for his 1986 love song "The Lady in Red".-Early life:...
- Argentinian-born singer-songwriter, based in Co. Wexford. - Anna Maria HallAnna Maria HallAnna Maria Hall was an Irish novelist who often published as "Mrs. S.C. Hall".She was born Anna Maria Fielding in Dublin, but left Ireland at the age of 15...
(Mrs. S.C. Hall) - 19th century novelist, raised in BannowBannowBannow is an area situated in the south of County Wexford, in Ireland. An early Norman town was founded at Bannow. This town has since disappeared for unknown reasons, although the ruins of an early Norman church can still be seen there today . The Norman church is located near the former Island...
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Demographics
In 2006 the county had a total population of 131,749 people. Of these, 65.4% (86,137 people) lived in rural areas and 34.6% (45,612 people) lived in urban areas. 35.5% of the county's population (46,768 people) were aged under 25 years and 11.6% of its population (15,324 people) were aged over 65 years. 89.8% of the county's population stated their religion as Roman Catholic, almost 4% as Protestant, including Church of Ireland, and 3% stated they had no religion. Other religions made up the remainder. Between 2002 and 2006, the population of County Wexford increased by 13% (15,153 people).See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Wexford)
- Lord Lieutenant of WexfordLord Lieutenant of WexfordThis is a list of people who have served as Lord-Lieutenant of Wexford. The office was created on 23 August 1831.* Robert Carew, 1st Baron Carew 7 October 1831 – 2 June 1856* Robert Carew, 2nd Baron Carew 5 July 1856 – 8 September 1881...
- High Sheriff of WexfordHigh Sheriff of WexfordThe High Sheriff of Wexford was the British Crown’s judicial representative in County Wexford, Ireland from the 16th century until 1922, when the office was abolished in the new Irish Free State and replaced by the office of Wexford County Sheriff. The sheriff had judicial, electoral, ceremonial...
