County Wexford Totally Explained

Everything about County Wexford totally explained

| county town = Wexford | code = WX | population = 131,749 | census yr = 2006 | province = Leinster | web = www.wexford.ie | |}} County Wexford is a maritime county in the southeast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. It takes its name from the principal town, Wexford, founded by Vikings and named by them 'Waesfjord', meaning 'inlet or bay (fjord) of the mud-flats' in the Old Norse language. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnsealaig, whose capital was at Ferns. The county's total area (including inland fresh-water areas) is 2,353.19 km² (908.54 mi²). Between 2002 and 2006, the population of County Wexford increased by 13% (15,153 people).

History

The county is rich in evidence of early human habitation. Portal tombs (sometimes called Dolmens) 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. Wexford town became a Viking settlement near the end of the 9th century. During WW2, 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.

Transport

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. Bus
Rosslare and Dublin are also linked by Bus Éireann route 2 (External Link

), while route 5 operates Waterford-New Ross-Ennicorthy-Dublin (External Link

). Ferry services
Rosslare Europort, located at Rosslare Harbour, operates a busy Ferry service - there are regular sailings to Wales (Pembroke and Fishguard) and France (Cherbourg, Roscoff and Le Havre) for passengers and vehicles.
There is also Ferry service in operation between Ballyhack and Passage East (Co. Waterford) at the Barrow estuary. Roads
Recent years has seen a major upgrading of the county's main roads.

Politics

Wexford is a 5-seat constituency - returning 5 Teachta Dála (T.D.s) to Dáil Éireann.
The current T.D.s representing the constituency are:

There is also a County Council and the larger towns each have individual Town Councils.

Media

The local radio station is called South East Radio.
Some of the county's main Newspapers are: The Wexford People, The New Ross Standard, The Gorey Guardian, and The Enniscorthy Echo.
Damien Tiernan is currently RTÉ's South-East Correspondent.

Geography

Location

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 Ocean and on the east by St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea. The River Barrow forms its western boundary. The Blackstairs Mountain range forms 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.

Towns and villages

By Population the largest town is Wexford, Enniscorthy the next largest, New Ross next, and then Gorey. Bunclody comes next — it's considered as either a very large village or a small town.

Adamstown, Arthurstown

Ballycanew, Ballycullane, Ballyedmond, Ballygarrett, Ballyhack, Ballywilliam, Bannow, Blackwater, Bree, Bridgetown, Broadway, Bunclody

Camolin, Campile, Castlebridge, Castletown, Cleariestown, Clohamon, Clonroche, Coolgreany, Courtown, Craanford, Crossabeg, Cullenstown, Curracloe

Duncannon, Duncormick

Enniscorthy

Ferns, Fethard-on-Sea, Foulkesmill

Gorey

Hollyfort

Inch

Kilmore, Kilmore Quay, Kilmuckridge, Kiltealy

Monamolin, Monaseed, Murrintown, Monageer

Newbawn

New Ross

Oulart, Oylegate

Poulpeasty

Rathangan, Rosslare, Rosslare Harbour, Raheen, Rathnure

Saltmills

Taghmon

Watch House Village, Wellingtonbridge, Wexford Principal port:

Rosslare Europort

Physical geography

Climate

Co. Wexford is known as 'Ireland's sunny south-east' because of the high amount of sunshine it receives relative to the rest of Ireland - in general, the number of hours of sunshine received daily is higher. Overall, Co. Wexford has a mild, but changeable, Oceanic climate 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. Temperature: 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. Precipitation: Precipitation falls throughout the year - Mean Annual Rainfall 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 in the Winter months. Frost is frequent is winter months. However, fewer days of Frost occur 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 Mountains in the north-west on the boundary with Co. Carlow. Other high points are:

Black Rock Mountain, which is 599 m (1,965 ft) high. It is located near the Wexford-Carlow border, but in Co. Wexford.

Another is Croghan Mountain (or Croghan Kinsella) on the Wexford-Wicklow border - 606 m (1,988 ft) high.

Another is Annagh Hill 454 m (1,490 ft), near the Wicklow border.

Lastly there's Slieveboy at 420 m (1,378 ft) high. Notable Hills include: Carrigbyrne Hill, Camross (or Camaross) Hill (181 m), Carrigmaistia (167 m),
Other smaller rivers of note are the Owenduff, Pollmounty, Corrock, Urrin, Boro, Owenavorragh, Sow and Bann rivers.
There is no significant fresh-water lake in the county. Small sea-side lakes or lagoons exist at two locations – one is called Lady's Island Lake and the other Tacumshin Lake.

Islands

The Saltee Islands, located off Wexford's south coast, are the only major islands in the county. They consist of two main islands - Great Saltee and Little Saltee. Two small rocks, known as Coningmore and Coningbeg, lie roughly south-west of these Islands. Bannow Island, approx. 1.6 km (1 mile) in length, lies just inside the entrance of Bannow Bay. This is the island where the Normans first landed in Ireland in 1169. Since then the island has become attached to the mainland due to the process of silting and is no longer an island. Today, there's also a roadway between the former island and the mainland.
   In Lady's Island Bay are two small islets - Inish and Lady's Island.
   In Tacumshin Lake there are two small islets named the Sigginstown Islands - Little and Great.
   West of Ballyteige Bay are the two Keeragh Islands (or islets), a rocky reef.
   About 8 km east of Greenore Point is Tuskar Rock - on which sits Tuskar Lighthouse.

Human geography

Political geography

The county is one of 12 counties located within the province of Leinster, which is currently part of the 26-county state called the Republic of Ireland - part of the island of Ireland. Ireland is subdivided into 32 counties and 4 provinces - the other three provinces are Connacht, Munster and Ulster.
   The main Political subdivisions are the Barony, and Townland.
   There are currently 10 Baronies within the county. They are: Gorey, Scarawalsh, Ballaghkeen North, Ballaghkeen South, Shelmaliere East, Shelmaliere West, Bantry, Slelburne, Bargy and Forth.
   The Barony is based on pre-Norman Gaelic tribal areas and isn't used much anymore.
   Co. Wexford contains 134 Civil Parishes.
   Civil Parishes are subdivided into townlands. The townland is the smallest division and is unique to Ireland. The townland is the division most often utilised on a day to day basis.

Agriculture

The economy is chiefly agricultural. Dairying, Cattle, Sheep, Pig rearing and some Horse Breeding is the main husbandry practiced. Poultry rearing, once popular, has very much declined. Wheat, Barley, Rapeseed, and Oats are grown. Sugar Beet is no longer grown due to the recent closure of all the country's Beet factories. The numbers involved in farming has been declining for many years. Mushrooms are also grown indoors. The Potato and Strawberry are also grown.

Fishing

   Much maritime activity takes place - especially at Kilmore Quay 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, Cockle, Periwinkle, Clam, and Oysters.

Forestry

Evergreen tree species are extensively cultivated, especially in more recent years - Norway Spruce 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 sometimes planted - but these require better soils.
Also see (below).

Sport

Gaelic games

GAA is very popular in the county, which is noted most for Hurling. Wexford last won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1996, beating County 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. Wexford Park is the county's main GAA pitch. Also, Handball is played on a limited basis — and there are a number of Handball alleys located throughout the county.

Soccer

Wexford Youths F.C., recently formed, is the major Soccer Club in the county.

Golf

There are numerous Golf Clubs in the county - including Rosslare (a Links course), and Enniscorthy. Two more are located near Gorey - Ballymoney Golf Club and Courtown Golf Club - both 18 hole courses. 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.

Other sports

Wexford Racecourse (Horse Racing) is located at Wexford town and there's a Greyhound Racing track at Enniscorthy. Angling is also popular.
A range of other Sports are also played and pursued - these are just some of the main ones.

Energy

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 resulted 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 also now exist at a few other locations in the county. They are all recent developments — Ballywater Wind Farm, at Cahore (near Kilmuckridge), on the county's east coast, and Richfield wind farm (located in the southeast of the county), are other examples.
Great Island Power Station, operated by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), opened in 1967. It is an electricity-generating station that's fueled by Oil. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Barrow and Suir, near Campile. However, it's scheduled to close by 2010.

Geology

Bedrock

The Blackstairs mountain range consists of Caledonian granite. Silurian rocks cover almost the rest of the entire county – these are sedimentary bedrocks of almost entirely marine origin (shales and mudstones, marls and limestones, sandstones and grits).
   According to the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI),
   “The bulk of the geology of the county comprises Ordovician slates and volcanics dating back to a vanished ocean bed, which was approximately 450 million year old. Overlying the Ordovician there's a succession of Devonian sandstones (ORS [OldRed Sandstones]) passing up into Carboniferous Limestones and up into the Permo-Trias rocks.”
   and,
   “the most common rock types in Co. Wexford are:

1. Slates (1630 km² or 69% of the county) Cambrian and Ordovician.

2. Greywacke, sandstone and quartzite (348 km² or 15% of the county).”

Wildlife

Flora

Common species of tree include: Oak, Ash, Sycamore , Alder, Blackthorn, Hawthorn (in Irish called 'Sceach'), 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 a disease called Dutch elm disease. Gorse (or Furze) is very common.
There is very little natural forest in the county. Most natural trees and vegetation grows on hedgerows (or 'ditches', in Irish lingo).

Fauna

South-eastern Wexford is an important site for wild birds - the north side of Wexford Harbour, 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 terns, especially the Roseate Tern. Grey Heron is also seen.
   Throughout the county Pheasant, Wood Pigeon and Feral Pigeons are widespread. The Wood Pigeon is larger than the Feral Pigeon. In Co. Wexford the Wood Pigeon is almost always called the 'Woodquest'. Swans, 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, is now extremely scarce. The Corncrake, also once very common, is now almost never (if ever) seen. Smaller birds - such as Crows, Swallows, Robins, Wrens and so on - are very common. The first Magpies 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, Bats, Squirrel (Red and Grey Squirrel), Rat (Brown and Black), 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 isn't nearly as common as Rabbit. The Stoat is also reasonably common. Locally the Stoat is just as often called a Weasel - incorrectly so, as it isn't 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.
   Extinct species include the Irish Elk (or Giant Irish Deer) and the Irish Wolf. Some evidence suggests Wolves became extinct in Co. Wexford in the 1730s.

Public Libraries

There are public libraries located at Wexford, Gorey, Enniscorthy, New Ross and Bunclody.

Health

Wexford General Hospital is located in Wexford town. It has a Accident and Emergency department. Wexford General Hospital also provides the following services – Medicine, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Pediatrics.
There is also a psychiatric hospital located on the edge of Enniscorthy town - this is St. Senan's Hospital.

Places of Interest

The scenic Bannow Drive, popular amongst tourists, is a signposted route through four Wexford villages including Duncormick, Cullenstown, Bannow and Wellingtonbridge.
   Ballyteigue Burrow, located by Duncormick, is one the finest protected sand dune systems in Ireland. Rich in wild flowers, wild life and butterflies, this 9 km coastal stretch is a protected nature reserve by the golden sands of Ballyteigue Bay, spectacular scenery, a joy to walk over.
   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. Some other places of interest include:

Ferns Castle & Abbey.

Enniscorthy Castle & Museum.

Vinegar Hill.

National 1798 Visitor Centre (Enniscorthy).

Boolavogue.

Oulart Hill.

Castleboro (Ruins).

the Seven 'Castles' of Clonmines.

Johnstown Castle.

Ballyteigue Castle.

Bannow Church (dates from 13th century).

Selskar Abbey (Wexford town).

Irish National Heritage Park (Ferrycarrig).

Tacumshin Windmill (southeast Co. Wexford).

St. Mary's Church (New Ross).

Dunbrody Abbey.

Tintern Abbey.

Slade Castle.

Ballyhack Castle.

J.F. Kennedy homestead and Park.

Slieve Coilte.

Duncannon Fort.

Tintern Abbey	Ballyteigue Bay

Image:Lighthouse HookHead CtyWexford IRE.jpg|Hook Lighthouse. Image:St. Peters College, Wexford.JPG|St Peter's College, Wexford. Image:Ballyhack Castle.jpg|Ballyhack Castle. Image:Vinegarhill eastview.jpg‎|Vinegar Hill - view from Enniscorthy.

Famous natives

John Barry - Commander United States Navy.

John Banville - Journalist and author (winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2005).

Miles Byrne - Participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Thomas Cloney - Participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Brendan Corish - Irish Labour Party leader and Tánaiste.

Francis Danby - Painter.

Pádraic Delaney - Actor.

Anne Doyle - R.T.É. Newsreader.

Kevin Doyle - Soccer Player.

Nicholas French - Former RC Bishop of Ferns.

Nicholas Furlong - Author, journalist and historian.

Edward Hay - Author of a history of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey - Participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Herbert Hore - Historian.

Patrick Kennedy - Great-Grandfather of John F. Kennedy (former United States President).

Dermot Mac Murrough - King of Leinster (probably native).

John Murphy - Participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Aidan O'Brien - Horse trainer.

Michael O'Hanrahan - Irish Rebel executed for fighting in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Nicky Rackard - Hurling player.

Dick Roche - Politician.

James Ryan - Politician and Irish Revolutionary.

Martin Storey - Hurling player.

Famous residents

Des Bishop - American-Irish Comedian.

Chris de Burgh (born Christopher John Davison) - Singer-songwriter and musician.

Dermot Desmond - Entrepreneur.

Anna Maria Hall (Mrs. S.C. Hall) - Author.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee - Author, journalist and historian.

John Redmond - Politician.

In popular culture

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 (External Link

References & footnotes

Bibliography

Byrne, Francis J. Irish Kings and High Kings. Dublin, 1973-2001.

Carlyle, Thomas. "Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches". Vol. 1. New York: Wiley & Putnam, 1845.

Cambrensis, Giraldus. Expugnatio Hibernica - The Conquest of Ireland. Dublin: R.I.A., 1978.

Colfer, Billy. The County of Wexford. Co. Wexford: Foillsitheoirí Cois Sláine, n.d. - 1980 or 1981.

Furlong, Nicholas. A History of County Wexford. Dublin: Gill & MacMillan, 2003. ISBN 0 7171 3461 X.

Furlong, Nicholas and John Hayes. County Wexford in the Rare Oul' Times. Vol. IV. 1910-1924. Wexford: Old Distillery Press, 2005. ISBN 0 9512812 3 2.

Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi). Discovery Series 77 - Co Wexford (part). Scale 1: 50,000. Dublin: OSI, Phoenix Park, 1997. ISBN 0-904996-71-9.

The Times Atlas of the World – Reference Edition. London: Times Books, 1995-2002. ISBN 0 00 712400 7.

Whelan, K.(ed) & W. Nolan (assoc. ed.). Wexford: History and Society. Dublin: Geography Publications, 1987.