County Wexford () is a county located in the south-east of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. It takes its name from the principal town, Wexford, named 'Waesfjord' by the Vikings – meaning 'inlet (fjord) of the mud-flats' in the Old Norse language. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, with its capital at Ferns.

The county was formed in Norman times. It was created in 1210 by King John during his visit to Ireland.Parliamentary Gazetteer, Vol. 3., p. 534.

Pre-history

Evidence of early human habitation of County Wexford is widespread.See: Essay 1, Geraldine Stout, "Wexford in Prehistory 5000 B.C. to 300 AD" in Wexford: History and Society, pp 1 – 39. This is the best coverage of this period for County Wexford.

Ireland was inhabited sometime shortly after the ending of the Last ice age, approximately 10,000 – 8000 BCSee: Early History of Ireland. Conservative estimates place the arrival of the first humans in County Wexford as occurring between 5000 BC – 3000 BC, referred to as the Mesolithic period in Ireland,Wexford: History and Society", pp 3 – 4. though they may have arrived slightly earlier. Its proximity to Britain and Europe means that County Wexford was probably one of the earliest areas of Ireland to be inhabited by humans. Evidence of this period is scarce, and much remains to be discovered through archaeology and research.

Portal tombs (sometimes called Dolmens) exist at Ballybrittas (on Bree Hill)See: Photo of Ballybrittas Portal Tomb. and at Newbawn – and date from the Neolithic period.

Evidence of the Bronze Age period is far more widespread – an early Bronze Age axehead was found at Bree and a gold disc at Kilmuckridge, for example.Wexford: History and Society, pp 8 – 26 & p. 35. Cist burials (also dating from the Bronze Age period) have been discovered in many locations – such as at the Deeps, Enniscorthy, and Misterin.Wexford: History and Society, pp 36 – 37. There are also numerous standing stones in the county and one stone circle (at Robinstown Great – classified as a four poster monument).See: Photo of Robinstown Great Stone Circle.Wexford: History and Society, pp 38 – 39.

The remains of numerous raths are scattered throughout rural County Wexford.A rath was a fortified wooden dwelling – the wooden dwelling(s) were enclosed by a circular mound of earth on which there was a palisade fence (generally wooden, though sometimes of stone). These mounds of earth are what survive in the landscape today – except in a few cases where stone was used (usually called Duns). An ogham stone was found on the Hook Peninsula in the 19th century.Journal R.S.A.I. 1930– 31. pp 52 – 55. Ogham stones have also been found elsewhere in the county.Wexford: History and Society, p. 17: "A total of four stones in the county [of Wexford] have inscriptions in Ogham". Pre-Christian Ireland worshipped a variety of deities, including the sun. Druidism survived in Ireland much longer than Britain and Gaul, as Ireland was never conquered by the Romans.

Classical references

On Ptolemy's mid-2nd century 'Map' of Ireland – dating from c. AD 150Freeman, p. 150. – Carnsore point appears as Hieron, the Sacred Cape, the river Barrow as the Birgos (or Birgus), most of the area of County Wexford is shown as inhabited by a tribe called the Brigantes, and a tribe called the Coriondi (or Koriondoi) are shown as occupying north County Wexford.Freeman, p. 69.

Some authorities also equate the town named Menapia (or Manapia) as Wexford town – others place it further north along the east coast, roughly near Wicklow town. A river called the Modonnu(s), whose estuary is near Menapia, is often said to be the Slaney – others think it is the Avoca river. It is because the Slaney is the only major river in the south-east that many as a result think that it is the Modonnu(s) river, thereby making Menapia equal to Wexford town (this theory only seems to work if Hook Head is made Hieron). Most authorities seem to agree that Menapia is not Wexford, but is a town located further north along the coast. However, this is not certain.Freeman, pp. 64 – 84.

The Roman historian Tacitus in his Life of Agricola, states that the Brigantes tribe was the most populous tribe in Britain in the mid-1st century AD,Agricola 17 & 31; (See: pp. 68 & 82). who then occupied almost all of northern England.The Brigantes dwelt in an area that was north of a line drawn roughly from Manchester to York but south of a line later occupied by the then soon to be built Hadrian's Wall. Nevertheless, the Irish and English Brigantes tribes may or may not be related – as unconnected Celtic names were often similar.Freeman, p. 77.

Tacitus also states, referring to AD 82,The Agricola was completed before AD 98. that many of Ireland's "approaches and harbours have become better known from merchants who trade there."Agricola 24; (See: p. 75). This almost certainly means that Roman traders from Britain were trading in some of County Wexford's ports at that time.Freeman, pp. 59 – 60.

Gaelic tribes (or clans)

The Uí Cheinnselaig are believed to have arrived in southern Leinster (from the west, probably through the Pass of Gowran, from Ossory) in the 5th century,Nolan & Kavanagh, p. 49 (Footnote). first establishing themselves in County Carlow (their main base there was at RathvillyByrne, Irish Kings, p. 131.) and then some time afterwards gaining a foothold in County Wexford. Prior to their arrival the Uí Bairrche are believed to have been the dominant tribe in the region.Furlong, p. 15. By the mid-8th century the Uí Cheinnselaig had established their main base at Ferns.Furlong, p. 18.

The name Uí Cheinnselaig derives from Énna Cennsalach (in English, Enna Kinsella),Furlong, p. 15. King of Leinster in the early 5th century, of whom the tribe were descendants.Best, Bergin, & O'Brien, eds. Book of Leinster. Vol. 1. Ríg Lagen (39b – 39d), pp 181 – 184, and Ríg Hua Cendselaig (40a – 40b), pp 184 – 186. The exact date of his reign is uncertain. Énna Cennsalach claimed descent from Cathair Mór,Byrne, Irish Kings, p. 288. said to have been High King of Ireland in the 2nd century AD,Byrne, Irish Kings, p. 142, & pp 288 – 290.A.F.M. M119-122 and historically this seems fairly plausible.Byrne, Irish Kings, p. 142. Cathair Mór was said to have descended from Labhraidh Loingseach,Geoffrey Keating, Foras Feasa ar Éirinn (literally "Foundation of Knowledge on Ireland", more usually translated, or known as, "The History of Ireland") 1.40 also said by some to have been a much earlier High King of Ireland – this is less certain, however, as at this point history and legend become intertwined.Byrne, Irish Kings, p. 11.

A famous early King of Uí Cheinnselaig was Brandub mac Echach, who defeated the High King of Ireland at the battle of Dún Bolg, AD 598, thereby halting Uí Néill expansion into Leinster.

Early Irish tribes, forming the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig (named after the dominant and ruling tribe), included the Beanntraige, Uí Dego, Sil mBrain, Uí Bairrche, Fotharta Mara, and the Síl Maíluidir.Francis J. Byrne, "Irish Kings and High Kings" (Dublin, 1973–2001), p. 133 (Map). This list dates from c. AD 900. The area forming the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig was slightly larger than the modern County Wexford.

Common Irish surnames with their origin in the county include Kinsella, Cosgrave, MurphyKavanagh. Mount Leinster, pp 4 – 6. and Larkin.Furlong, p. 23.

Coming of Christianity

The county was one of the earliest areas of Ireland to be Christianised, under Palladius (who preceded Saint Patrick) in the early 5th century. Prosper of Aquitaine in his Chronicle states that Palladius was sent to the Irish "believing in Christ" as their first bishop, AD 431. This means there were some Christians in Ireland already – before the arrival of Palladius. Ibar and Kierán are often mentioned as possible predecessors of Palladius.

Early churches and monasteries were located at Begerin (formerly an island in Wexford harbour before its reclamation),Begerin was one of the earliest foundations – founded by Ibar. Taghmon, Adamstown, Camross, Ardlathran,Probably Ardamine on the north-east coast of County Wexford. Ferns, Templeshanbo, New Ross, Clonmore, Templeshannon, Donaghmore, St. Kearns, and on the Hook Peninsula. Early missionaries included Ibar, Aidan (Maodhóg or Mogue), Fintan (or Munna, or Munnu), Senan, Abban, Evin, Kierán, and Dubhan.

Aidan (Maodhóg or Mogue) was the first Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns. The Diocese of Ferns was created AD 598,Grattan Flood, p. ix. the same year that Aidan was consecrated Bishop. He died AD 632.

The boundaries of the Diocese of Ferns were set at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1118John Lanigan, An Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, p. 38 & footnote p. 41, convincingly states that the Synod of Rathbreasail had to have taken place 1118 and that it couldn't have taken place as early as 1111, the date normally given by many authors.Grattan Flood, History of the Diocese of Ferns, p. ix, also gives 1118 as the date for Rathbreasail; See also Online Catholic Encyclopedia. – its territory roughly corresponded to that of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnsealaig as it existed at that time. Grattan Flood, in his History of the Diocese of Ferns, states that at Rathbreasail, the Diocese of Ferns was mapped out as "from Begerin to Mileadhach, on the west of the Barrow; and from Sliabh Uidhe Laighean south to the sea."Grattan Flood, History of the Diocese of Ferns, p. ix.

Vikings

From 819 onwards, the Vikings plundered many Christian sites in the county and Wexford town became a Viking settlement.

The first recorded raid by the Vikings in County Wexford occurred in 819, when Begerin and Camhain's Oak Island (Dairinis Caemhain)near Ardcavan. in Wexford Harbour were plundered by them.A.F.M. In 835 Ferns was plundered and in 839 it was burned by them.Annals of Ulster

At least as early as 888, the Vikings had established a settlement of some sort at Wexford, and they fought a battle that year in which they were defeated.

In 917 Ferns and Taghmon were plundered by them. In 919 Ferns was again burned by them. In 919 "the foreigners of Loch Garman" are again mentioned, and again in 1088.

There had been a settlement named Loch Garman at Wexford town prior to their arrival and the Vikings' new settlement was initially a separate one. Initially it would have been a Longphort, over time becoming more permanent – and was called Waesfjord. Eventually the two settlements became one. The name Waesfjord became Wexford, and gave its name to the town.Furlong, p. 22. There are many Norse placenames in the county – for example, Saltee islands and Selskar.

Arrival of the Normans

Wexford was the site of an invasion by Normans in 1169 at the behest of Diarmuid Mac Murrough, King of Uí Cheinnsealaig and King of Leinster (Laigin), which led to the subsequent colonisation of the country by the Anglo-Normans.

Áed Ua Crimthainn writing three years earlier, in 1166, wrote the following in the Book of Leinster regarding Diarmuid's (or Diarmait's) expulsion:

Diarmait enlisted help abroad and received it principally in Wales. In 1169, a group of Normans commanded by Robert Fitz-Stephen landed near Bannow in three ships (at Bannow Island, since joined to the mainland by the process of silting).