IR23 Discover Wexford Town

Located about 15 kilometers from Bridgetown, Wexford is the county's main town. It was in the rain that the students, accompanied by a guide, were able to visit the main monuments and learn about the history and heritage of this city. The visitbegins at the 1798 revolt memorial where, following the French Revolution, the people of Wexford rose up against the rulinggovernment. The students then visited a few churches, the ancient fortifications, the exterior of the former castle.... Situated in the south eastern corner of Ireland, Wexford is a county of gentle agricultural land and coastal settlements with a rich maritime heritage. Wexford was established by Viking settlers in AD 850. It was an important port for Norse raiding parties and became a key maritime port. This logistic pattern was followed centuries later by the Norman invaders of Strongbow and today RosslareHarbour, where our group arrived by boat, in County Wexford is one of the main entry points to Ireland with ferry crossings frommainland Europe and the UK. 

Throughout its history Wexford stood as a rebellious county to outside authority. During the Cromwellian Wars, Wexford townwas laid siege by English troops. Fresh from massacring the population of Droghela, they overcame the town and put some 1,500 of the town's inhabitant to the sword. County Wexford again was the scene of an Irish massacre during the rebellion of 1798, at Vinegar Hill close to Enniscorthy. Famous names connected include J F Kennedy whose great grandfather emigrated from here. 

Wexford is one of Ireland’s top places to visit and holiday, boasting 275 kilometres of coastline with golden sandy beaches, rockyheadlands, cliffs and nature reserves plus vibrant towns and a calendar filled with festivals.

Heritage runs deep. The Vikings named it Veisafjoror, ‘Inlet of the mud flats’, and it remained a Viking town for approximately300 years. 
In 1169, the Normans arrived into Ireland onto the shores of Wexford at the request of the recently ousted High King of Leinster. The Normans battled to reclaim his kingdom and as a ‘thank-you’, the King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada, gave hisdaughter Aoife’s hand in marriage to the Norman leader, Strongbow.  Thus the Anglo-Irish relationship began. Today, Norse and Norman influences combine in Wexford,  town that has retained its compact, medieval feel – though the only invading hordes weare likely to encounter these days are the opera buffs descending on the town for the annual international Wexford Festival Opera

The funny guide gave many informations about the city and the history of Wexford. Most part of the norman civilization has disappered but the visit include private places where we can’t go alone. The rain was our ennemy to enjoy this lovely city tour.