Lacken, County Wexford
Encyclopedia
Lacken is a rural agricultural area about two miles outside the town of New Ross
in Co. Wexford, Ireland
. Central to the area is Lacken Hill, a hill planted with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees which has a public walk-way up through the wood. It is a popular area for walkers and cyclists as there are numerous paths and tracks in the wood.
, one of the largest parishes in County Wexford, Ireland. The closest urban centre to Lacken is New Ross, which is approximately two miles away. The towns of Enniscorthy
, Wexford
and Waterford
are all approximately thirty minutes drive from Lacken. Due to its convenience to several urban centres there are increasing numbers of commuters living in the area.
, rebels were in complete control of County Wexford for the three weeks between 30 May and 21 June. These leaders were a mixture of Catholic
and Anglican farmers, merchants and professional men, but also included several Catholic priests, most of whom appear to have been renegades in the eyes of their bishop even before joining the rebels. The military effort was conducted with the help of an informal conscription of able-bodied men and order was preserved in towns by volunteer tradesmen and in the countryside by small crossroads guarding parties. Lacken Hill was used as a camp for the rebels in the aftermath of one of the most bloody battles of the entire rebellion, the Battle of New Ross
. It is estimated that perhaps as many as two thousand rebels were killed. The rebels camped on Lacken Hill from the 11 June. Their numbers dwindled greatly during this time down to approximately 400 by the 19 June, when Father Philip Roche
led the remaining able-bodied insurgents in a retreat to the Three Rocks near Wexford town to avoid British troops. Today there is a cross at the top of the hill, with a plaque commemorating the actions of the rebels who fought in the uprising, died on Lacken Hill and were buried in unmarked graves there.
on Lacken Hill. Individuals could sponsor the planting of such trees. The forest on Lacken Hill is quite individual due to its mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees.
Catholic Church.
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:...
in Co. Wexford, 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...
. Central to the area is Lacken Hill, a hill planted with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees which has a public walk-way up through the wood. It is a popular area for walkers and cyclists as there are numerous paths and tracks in the wood.
Location
Lacken is located in the parish of CushinstownCushinstown
Oldross is a large civil parish in the barony of BantryCounty Wexford, Ireland. It contains the Ecclesiastical parish of Cushinstown in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns. The three churches in the latter parish are situated at Rathgarogue, Cushinstown and Terrerath, cater for a population of...
, one of the largest parishes in County Wexford, Ireland. The closest urban centre to Lacken is New Ross, which is approximately two miles away. The towns 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...
, 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...
and Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
are all approximately thirty minutes drive from Lacken. Due to its convenience to several urban centres there are increasing numbers of commuters living in the area.
History
During the Irish Rebellion of 1798Irish 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...
, rebels were in complete control of County Wexford for the three weeks between 30 May and 21 June. These leaders were a mixture of Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
and Anglican farmers, merchants and professional men, but also included several Catholic priests, most of whom appear to have been renegades in the eyes of their bishop even before joining the rebels. The military effort was conducted with the help of an informal conscription of able-bodied men and order was preserved in towns by volunteer tradesmen and in the countryside by small crossroads guarding parties. Lacken Hill was used as a camp for the rebels in the aftermath of one of the most bloody battles of the entire rebellion, the Battle of 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...
. It is estimated that perhaps as many as two thousand rebels were killed. The rebels camped on Lacken Hill from the 11 June. Their numbers dwindled greatly during this time down to approximately 400 by the 19 June, when Father Philip Roche
Philip Roche
Philip Roche was an Irish Roman Catholic priest and commander during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.-Life:He was a priest attached to the parish of Poulpearsay, County Wexford, and formerly of Gorey...
led the remaining able-bodied insurgents in a retreat to the Three Rocks near Wexford town to avoid British troops. Today there is a cross at the top of the hill, with a plaque commemorating the actions of the rebels who fought in the uprising, died on Lacken Hill and were buried in unmarked graves there.
Forest of the Dunbrody
Coillte, Ireland's state forestry body, planted 25,000 trees of the species used to build the Dunbrody Replica Famine ShipDunbrody
Dunbrody may refer to:* Dunbrody , a barque built in Quebec in 1845 and wrecked in 1875* Dunbrody , a replica of the original, built in Ireland in 2001...
on Lacken Hill. Individuals could sponsor the planting of such trees. The forest on Lacken Hill is quite individual due to its mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees.
Local economy
Lacken is primarily an agricultural area, with mixed farming being predominant. There are, however, some quite successful businesses in the area, with many of them making use of the area's natural beauty and agricultural nature as an integral part of, or as a backdrop to, their business. Some prominent businesses in the area include Scarke Golf Course and Driving Range, Berkeley Costume and Toy Museum which is based in Berkeley Forest House, Traditional Farmhouse Tiles which is set in an old stone barn with views of Lacken Hill, and Lacken Agricultural Machinery, amongst others.Religion
The area is predominantly Catholic, and the nearest place of religious worship is CushinstownCushinstown
Oldross is a large civil parish in the barony of BantryCounty Wexford, Ireland. It contains the Ecclesiastical parish of Cushinstown in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns. The three churches in the latter parish are situated at Rathgarogue, Cushinstown and Terrerath, cater for a population of...
Catholic Church.