Everything about Enniscorthy totally explained
Enniscorthy is the second-largest town in
County Wexford,
Ireland (town and environs population: 9,538 ). With a history going back to
465, Enniscorthy is one of the longest continuously-occupied sites in Ireland.
It is situated on the
River Slaney in the centre of the county, 24 km north of the
county town,
Wexford. The town lies on the
N11 road (part of
European route E1) from
Dublin to Wexford. The
N30 connects the town to
New Ross and
Waterford to the west.
Enniscorthy has a
railway station on the Dublin–Wexford–
Rosslare Europort railway line, giving access to seaports and airports.
Etymology
The name Inis Corthaidh derives from the Irish Gaelic word for island (
Inis)Island of the Rocks (
Córthaidh). The town is situated at the tidal extreme of the River Slaney - which has gouged steep sides in surrounding rock over the millennia to create the distinctive hilly feel of the town.
History and places of interest
Enniscorthy Castle
Enniscorthy Castle is an imposing Norman stronghold, which dates from
1205 and was a private dwelling until
1951. The poet
Edmund Spencer lived in the castle for a period and it's said that
Queen Elizabeth I gave him the castle because of all the good things he said about her in the poem "
The Faerie Queene". The Castle was also once owned by Sir
Henry Wallop, whose maltreatment of his labourers gave rise to the English word "wallop". The castle was the site of many fierce battles during the Cromwellian years and also the
1798 Rising. The castle houses the Wexford County Museum, which contains extensive
1798 rebellion-related material, as well as items of local and agricultural interest. It is currently (2007) closed for refurbishment.
Vinegar Hill
Vinegar Hill (in
Irish which translates as
hill of the wood and gorse, a pudding-shaped hill overlooking the town, was the largest camp and headquarters of the rebels of
1798 who controlled County Wexford for thirty days against vastly superior forces, before
their defeat on
June 21. However, many managed to flee south through a gap left in the British lines by
General Needham (now known as Needham's Gap). During this time, Beauchamp Bagnell Harvey was declared as President of the
Wexford Republic. The former
Congregation of Christian Brothers monastery now houses a 1798 Visitor Centre which tracks the path to modern independence and the part the rebellion played.
National 1798 Visitor Centre
One of the most noted interactive museums in Ireland, the 1798 Visitor Centre is devoted to the 1798 Rising. Its history, European context and aftermath are all revisited using audio-visual technology. Highlights include a mock debate between the English
Thomas Paine and the
Anglo-Irish Edmund Burke and a reconstruction of the Rebellion as a game of chess with six-foot-chess pieces. For children, there's a 1798 themed play area and games presenting history as a game of chance.
Saint Aidan's Cathedral
Built in
1843, St. Aidan’s Cathedral, was designed by
Augustus Welby Pugin who also designed London's
Houses of Parliament. Pugin created the cathedral in the same
Neogothic style. Notable features include the striking façade, a
reredos carved from Caen stone and a great north window with intricate stone tracery. The cathedral was subsequently much renovated but restored to its original design in
1994 when authentic colours, materials and techniques were used. The restoration took a year, during which time cathedral services were held at St Mary's
Church of Ireland church nearby..
1916 Rising
In
1916, Enniscorthy
patriots again took their place in
history, when
James Connolly requested that the Enniscorthy
Volunteers take and hold the
railway line to prevent
reinforcements from reaching
Dublin. 600 Volunteers took the town, led by Robert Brennan, Seamus Doyle and J R Etchingham, they surrounded the
police station, but didn't attempt to take it. The RIC barracks was held by a police inspector and five constables while an RIC sergeant and one constable prevented the rebels from taking over a bank in the town. They established
headquarters at the
Athenaeum, and held control until asked to
surrender by
Padraig Pearse.
The Volunteers also established a strong position on Vinegar Hill, overlooking the town. The railway line was cut and men dispatched to Gorey and Ferns. The government responded by sending a force of more than 1,000 men to retake Enniscorthy and the rebels retired to their positions on Vinegar Hill. Before hostilities could develop the news of the Dublin surrender arrived, but the Volunteers refused to believe it. The army commander, Col FA French, was a Wexford man and in order to avoid bloodshed he offered a safe conduct for the Wexford leaders so that they could go to Dublin and hear of the surrender directly from Pearse. There were no fatalities.
Festivals in Enniscorthy
Blackstairs Blues
The Blackstairs Blues festival is an annual event, now in its twelfth year. The festival includes international and local performers, in a variety of late night concerts and open workshops. The festival includes a free pub trail and late night festival club.
Amenities
Enniscorthy is situated by the
River Slaney, and has short walks beside it to the north and to the south, on the west bank. It is the
cathedral town of the
Diosese of Ferns and has two
Catholic churches spread over two parishes - the parish of St. Aidans and the older parish of St Senans, under the shadow of Vinegar Hill. The town also comprises a Church of Ireland, a joint
Methodist/
Presbyterian church, a Society of Friends meeting hall, and a
Masonic Lodge. There is a multiplex
cinema, a swimming pool/recreation centre, several sports grounds and several recently built
hotels. Surrounding the town, there's an 18-hole golf course, several pitch and putts, freshwater fishing, and a five-star spa Monart is just beside "The Still Pond". The town also boasts several historical sites and
museums.
People
Literature
Enniscorthy is mentioned in the
Ithaca chapter of
James Joyce's
Ulysses (p. 812) as a flyleaf note in a book belonging to Leopold Bloom, where it's described as "Ennifcorthy,
County Wicklow, the finest place in the world" (sic).
Transport
Enniscorthy railway station opened on
16 November 1863.
Commerce
George Killian's Red
Enniscorthy was the location of a regional microbrewery opened in 1864 and owned by the ancestors of George Killian Lett. During their operation Killian's
ale was sold almost entirely in Wexford county.
Lett's Brewery still operates today, but no longer brews its own products. They now focus on wholesale to shops, bars and hotels.
Pottery
Carley's Bridge Pottery is one of Ireland's oldest potteies, having made earthen pots for over three hundred years. Paddy Murphy was also an Enniscorthy potter and in 1980 founded Hill View pottery adjacent to his home and close to Carley's Bridge Pottery. The cul-de-dac "Potters' Way" is named after for him - as he'd walk that route to his home. Since his passing the Hill View pottery has been taken over by his relation Derek O'Rourke.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Enniscorthy'.
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