Wexford History

A Brief History:  Ireland was originally named Menapia after a prehistoric Belgic tribe who occupied the area.

The origin of Loch Gorman, the Irish name is lost in time, while the current name comes from the Viking Waesfjord - harbour of the mud flats.

Celtic stone monuments and artifacts tell us that Wexford was occupied over 6000 years ago The only complete dolmen in the county is at Bree, near Enniscorthy, This dates from the 3 b.c. .

The Vikings invaded Wexford in the 9th Century. From 819 onwards, the Vikings plundered many Christian sites in the County and Wexford town became a Viking settlement.

Wexford was the site of the invasion of Ireland by the Normans in 1169 at the behest of Diarmuid Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, which led to the subsequent colonisation of the country by the Normans.

Cromwell visited Wexford in 1649. His campaign in Wexford included the capture of the Castle at Ferns and Enniscorthy and the town of Wexford where he exacted retribution on the inhabitants.

In 1798 Rebellion left many marks in Wexford. Father John Murphy Parish Priest of Boolavogue led several thousand men and women armed with pikes and scythes into resistance and won a very important victory on the hill of Oulart.