County Wexford - Heritage/Historical

1. Heritage Centres

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The Irish National Heritage Park

"Where Ireland's Heritage Trail Starts"

16 Historical Sites set in a magnificent 35 acre mature forest; explaining Ireland's history from the Stone and Bronze Ages - through the Celtic period and concluding with the Viking and Norman influences.

Sites included in the Park are Mesolithic Camp, Portal Dolmen, Stone Circle, Ringfort, 10th Century Monastery, Crannog, Viking Boatyard (2 fullsize ships) and Norman Motte and Bailey.

Audio Visual Show
Guided Tours
Craft Demonstrations
Cafe
Gift Shop

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2. Abbeys

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Dunbrody Abbey and Visitor Centre

Cistercian Abbey founded in 1210 A.D. and one of the largest. Also the site of the ruins of Dunbrody Castle which now houses a craft shop with quality hand-made local crafts. There is a small museum within the tearooms with family information and a very large doll house - a scale replica of the castle. There is a small pitch and putt course and a full size hedge maze - one of only two in Ireland.

Dunbrody Craft Gallery has an extensive range of locally made crafts, including knitwear, terracotta and stoneware pottery, woodturning, copper repouse, cut glass, heraldic crests, and lots more to appeal t visitors from near and far.

Facilities: Situated in a refurbished section of the ruined Dunbrody Castle, and part of Dunbrody Abbey Visitor centre, which encompasses tours of the abbey, tea rooms, mini-golf, and a large hedge maze, the centre has ample parking space and rewards a visit.

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3. Monuments

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Abercromby Monument

This is a granite column memorial to Sir Ralph Abercromby, British commander-in-chief in the period before the 1798 Rising.

He was forced to resign after protesting to his government against the cruelty and licentiousness of the soldiery.

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4. Local Tours

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Wexford Boat Charters

Wreck, Reef and Tope fishing from Wexford and Kilmore Quay.

Dept of Marine licensed.
Fully equipped Aquastar 33. Also wildlife and cetacean spotting trips arranged.

"Lady Alison"

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5. Towers (Historical)

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Westgate Heritage Tower

The Westgate Tower combines with the ancient and historic Selskar Abbey to be the perfect setting to understand the historical development of Wexford. Situated in the heart of the Viking and Norman walled town, the Tower features a top-class audio-visual story on the cosmopolitan history of Wexford town, with spectacular special effects. Upstairs in the tower there are beautiful Norman rooms and a fine battlements walk to the Abbey. Average length of visit is 1 hour approx.

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6. Castles (Historical)

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Ballyhack Castle

There was formerly an establishment of the Knights Templars here beside this peaceful inlet, but the present 5 storey castle is 15th century in date and probably has nothing to do with the Knights. The ground floor is vaulted and has a number of deep recesses, and the second floor is also vaulted. There are also a number of recesses on the third storey; that on the east wall was once a chapel. On the same floor is now inaccessible prisoners' cell. An amount of 17th century pottery was found during conservation work in the castle.

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7. Forts (Historical)

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Duncannon Fort

Because of its prominent location the fort has been of strategic importance throughout the centuries. During the British Occupation it was described as "The Second Fort of the realm" and bore the title "The Royal Fort of Duncannon".

Since it was built, there have been many notable visitors to the fort, including saint Oliver Plunkett, King James II and William of Orange. The threats of the spanish Armada, Napoleon and Hitler were responsible for the refurbishment and strengthening of the Fort.

The Fort remained in the control of the British Government until the War of Independence in 1919. It was set alight by the old IRA in 1922 and lay in ruins until the outbreak of world War II. It was then rebuilt and occupied by the Army. When the garrison was withdrawn at the end of the war, the Army, Navy, Air Corp and F.C.A. continued to use it as a summer camp on a diminishing scale until 1986. In 1993 the department of defence handed the fort to the Wexford County Council and refurishment is continuing.

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8. Homes (Historical)

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Dunmain House

17th century house. The house and its history have been the subject of many novels and plays such as "Guy Mannering" by Sir Walter Scott. The imposing slate covered house is said not to have one, but two ghosts. The entrance hall, dining and sitting rooms, both towers, private oratory, jail cell and restored olde worlde servants kitchen form part of the guided tour.

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9. Crosses (Historical)

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Ferns Churches, Crosses and Castle

The Churches:
The modern road runs through the area comprising the old monastery founded by the King of Leinster for St. Meadhog in the 6th century, and which was plundered by the Vikings in 930. In 1152 the ill-starred Dermot MacMurrough Kavanagh founded an Abbey, but it was burned down two years later. He rebuilt it in 1160 and handed it over to the Augustinians. Portions of this church still survive; they are the ruins furthermost from the road and can be recognised by the characteristic tower at the west end of the church which is square at the bottom and becomes round higher up. The north wall of the church still stands, and the chancel once had barrel vaulting as at Cormac's chapel in Cashel. To the north of the chancel is the sacristy, from where stairs rise to a room where the sacristan lived and to another room over the chancel. Only the foundations of the cloister remain to the south of the church. The present Church of Ireland church incorporated parts of the Cathedral which was probably built by John St. John, the first Anglo-Norman bishop of the diocese (1223-43), and which was burned in 1577. Seventy-five yards to the east is another 13th century building which may have acted as the monks' choir. In the churchyard of the present church there are some plain High Crosses, and a fragment of a thin cross-shaft which is supposed to mark the grave of Dermot MacMurrough Kavanagh. Standing on a ledge just to the north of the road is St. Peter's Church, a nave-and-chancel church whose original nave extended much further westwards. As the church was not mentioned in a list of the major buildings in Ferns in 1537, it is suspected that the present church was built after that date, but incorporated parts of other churches. The Romanesque window on the interior of the south wall may have come from the Augustinian church, while the pointed external part may have come from the Cathedral.

The Castle:
The castle was probably built by one of the son of Maurice Fitzgerald or by William, Earl Marshall, the Justicar, around 1200, though the earliest reference to it is 1232, and some of the architectural details would even suggest a building date around the middle of the 13th century, when William de Vakebce owned it, The O'Toole clan took it in 1331, but it was re-taken shortly afterwards by Bishop Charnell. By 1359 it was held by the Countess of Athol, and probably some time during the 15th century it was taken by the Irish. Lord Grey took the castle during the Rebellion of 'Silken Thomas' in 1536, but the Mac Murroughs remained wardens of the castle until John Travers took it over in the name of the King in 1550. In 1583 the Mastersons became Constables of the Castle, but they became sufficiently friendly to the native Irish to hold it for the Confederate Catholics in 1641. The castle surrendered to Cromwell in 1649, but after the Restoration of Charles II it was sold to Thomas Kiernan of Dublin who bequeathed it to the Donovans, who kept it till recent years. Originally the castle formed a square, with large rounded towers at each corner, but only half of the castle still survives. There were three storeys inside, and some 13th century trefiol-headed windows are still preserved. On the first floor there was a circular chapel lighted by two of these windows and covered by a vault supported by corbels in the shape of capitals. Excavations in 1972-75 uncovered a rock-cut ditch outside the castle walls, with a drawbridge structure on the south side.

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10. Museums

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Irish Agricultural Museum

National Museum of Agriculture and Rural Life. Located in historic farm buildings, within the extensive ornamental grounds of Johnstown Castle, just 6km south west of Wexford Town on the road to Murrintown and Bridgetown.

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11. Monastic Sites

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Our Lady's Island

The lake itself is a shallow lagoon separated from the open sea by a shingle bank. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is the site of a well known pilgrimage held annually in August. It was the site of an ancient monastery dedicated to Our Lady. The ruins of the Augustinian Priory are still to be seen, as is the Norman tower which leans at a greater angle than the tower at Pisa.
The pilgrimage season starts of the 15th August and continues until the 8th September.

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12. Gallery Graves

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St. John's Graveyard

Last resting place of John Redmond, who became leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party at Westminister in 1900. He brought the Party together after it was fragmented by the scandal of Charles Stewart Parnell and his affair with Kitty O' Shea. Parnell was a charismatic leader who fought the cause of the Irish tenant farmer and Home Rule for Ireland through the Parliament at Westminister. He died in 1891, leaving a nation bitterly divided after his controversial downfall.

Redmond actively recruited Irishmen for the British army during the Great War, believing that this show of loyalty would win support from the English Parliament for the Home Rule cause when the war was ended. This policy had its detractors and less parliamentary forces pushed events in a different direction. When the Rising of 1916 occurred and the leaders were executed, Redmond's rationale became academic. He died in 1918 and is buried in the family tomb.

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13. Historic Hotels

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Clohamon House

Sheltered by huge trees in 180 acres, it is edged with a neat garden which is the pride of Lady Levinge, since she has won much of it back from a wilderness, while her husband has been improving the home farm. She runs her won Connemara pony stud farm on the premises, and travels widely to international horse shows, both to act as a judge and to show her won ponies. There are herons and wild duck on the flight pond below the house, badgers in the woods nearby, and a glorious panoramic view of Mount Leinster directly in front of the house.

Portraits of the Levinges through the centuries hang on the drawing room walls, and there are fine Flemish tapestries in the dining room, where at dinner and breakfast guests sit at a long polished table set with family silver. They will not be joined at their meals by their hosts, except perhaps for coffee, since Lady Levinge is the talented self-taught cook who produces the excellent meals. On my visit I enjoyed her crisp courgettes in a light batter, with a stilton, yoghurt, and fresh-peppercorn sauce. Equally delicious were the celery and apple soup, lamb cutlets from the Levinges' own farm with vegetables from the garden, and home-made Bailey's Irish liqueur icecream, sprinkled with toasted almonds. There was local farm cheese, in a state of perfect ripeness, and fresh chocolate truffles with the coffee, served from a silver pot by the fireside. Sir Richard, tall and blond, appeared briefly, on his way to another farm. He sometimes takes over preparation of breakfast. Eggs are free-range, sausages are made locally, the brown bread is freshly baked, and preserves home-made. Their young children enjoy chatting with the guests, when on holiday from their boarding schools.

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14. Stones (Historical)

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Balloughton - Standing Stone

A tall Standing Stone believed to mark a prehistoric grave site.

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15. Friaries

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Franciscan Friary - Wexford

The Franciscans have had a long association with Wexford, reaching back to the founding of the Friary in 1230. They endured two major interruptions to their tenure, the first in the 16th century, at the dissolution of the monasteries. Returning in 1622 they restored the friary only to have it destroyed by Cromwell 27 years later. The present building is largely 18th century when extensive renovation work took place. Two of the walls, however date from pre-Cromwellian times. The church is beautifully proportioned with exquisite stucco work decorating the panelled ceiling. The tabernacle is modern, with a delicate flame-like design surrounding it depicting the biblical "burning bush". It is very striking and provides an inspired contrast to the elegant nave. Pope Pius IX presented the relic of St. Adjutor to Thomas Devereux of Wexford in 1856. It now lies under a marble slab in the sanctuary. The saint was a boy martyr in ancient Rome.

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16. Churches (Historical)

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St Iberius Church

It boasts several interesting features. The fine interior is late georgian, while the front on the Main Street is of late 19th century Venetian Renaissance style. There are many monuments to those who worshipped there in former times. The church is open to the public 6 days per week for tours. During the summer the opening hours are from 10 to 5; in winter from 10 to 3. There is a guide available at all these times and tours are free of charge. A donation towards the restoration costs is optional.

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17. Windmills

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Tacumshane Windmill

Take the first turn left after the village for Broadway and Tacumshane. Turn left again for Tacumshane (5 km) and its windmill, one of only two intact windmill in Ireland. Built in 1846, the mill was used until 1936 and was renovated in the 1950s. Key obtained from the nearby shop. Nearby Tachumshin Lake is a favourite with bird watchers as it attracts some rare American waders in Autumn, as well as internationally important concentrations of Bewick's swans, Brent geese, wigeon, oystercatchers, golden plover and lapwing.

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18. Mills (Historical)

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Craanford Mills

Craanford Mills. A 17th Century, corn grinding, water mill has been restored to full working order. The works are on view to visitors with additional interpretative data and explanatory exhibits. Wholesome food served on the Kiln Loft.

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19. Farmsteads

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Yola Farmstead

Drift back in time to a bygone age as you wander down the auld boreen to the 'Yola' Farmstead. Features include the Animal's Corner, Thatched Vernacular Exhibitions, a Windmill, the Rare Species Enclosure, Kilmore Cottage, Commodore Barry House, the Flora and Fauna Walk, the Craft and Crystal Showroom, the Genealogy Centre, the 'Alamo' playground and you can also enjoy the special 'Yola' Traditional Banquets by prior arrangement.

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