Category Archives: HISTORY

The hammer strikes the anvil in Bunclody

By Dan Walsh Nolan’s Forge on Foundry Lane, linking Irish Street and Ryland Road, in Bunclody was operated by three generations of the Nolan family from 1885 to 1992, and then fell into disrepair, but the good news is that Nolan’s Forge is being renovated and will open its doors to visitors again next month.Continue reading “The hammer strikes the anvil in Bunclody”

Conservation plan for Fethard Castle

By Dan Walsh Great excitement in Fethard after Wexford County Council have secured funding under the Community Monuments Fund of €70,000 for Fethard Castle. The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. Chairman of Fethard Community Development Association, Richard FinnContinue reading “Conservation plan for Fethard Castle”

Barrow bridge heritage needs debate?

By Dan Walsh Speculation about the future of the Barrow Railway Bridge at Great Island, Campile, has been gaining media coverage, however, there appears to be extraordinarily little information emanating from official sources or debate from local public representatives. This amazing bridge in a remote location is an engineering feat and part of early-20th centuryContinue reading “Barrow bridge heritage needs debate?”

Story of 1798 rebellion told at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh One of the major visitor attractions in the south-east is the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy and having emerged from the Covid-19 lockdown the doors to history are open again and visitors are welcome. The Centre had been threatened with sale of the property to a local businessman, thankfully the saleContinue reading “Story of 1798 rebellion told at Enniscorthy”

When the pilgrims came to Oylegate

By Dan Walsh Many years ago I picked up a booklet called Through the Garden of Ireland for the 1915 season and it described itself as “the official handbook of the Dublin and South-Eastern Railway” and I came across an amazing description of miraculous events occurring at St. David’s Well at Ballinaslaney, Oylegate. Earlier todayContinue reading “When the pilgrims came to Oylegate”

Life and Times of Eileen Gray of Brownswood

By Dan Walsh The birthplace of Wexford born Eileen Gray, the pioneering modern architect, designer and artist, continues to be witness to the effects of her creative force and news of the online webiner“Design as Agency in the World”- The Spirit of Eileen Gray lives on at Brownswood House takes place on Wednesday, May 19th, 11Continue reading “Life and Times of Eileen Gray of Brownswood”

Save Courtown Woods “a matter of urgency”

By Dan Walsh Concerns over the potential sale of Courtown Woods and the initiation of a local petition on social media calling on Wexford County Council and local public representatives to intervene is gaining public support after alarm bells were set off by Courtown Community Council last week. Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, who has beenContinue reading “Save Courtown Woods “a matter of urgency””

1798 families and events recounted

By Dan Walsh The memoirs of Miles Byrne (1780-1862) from Monaseed in North Wexford are the inspiration for a new publication called UNITED IRISHMEN – Émigrés of Erin by Colum Ó Ruairc and Stephen McCracken just published. “I read the memoirs of Miles Byrne and saw a lot of names of casualties recorded on memorialsContinue reading “1798 families and events recounted”

€94,800 funding for Wexford heritage

By Dan Walsh Ministerof State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, announced that 477 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a total of €3m under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). Fourteen projects across County Wexford will share funding of €94,800. Minister Noonan said: “In addition toContinue reading “€94,800 funding for Wexford heritage”