History & Heritage

Latest edition of local history book

LATEST EDITION OF ‘THE PAST’ – THE JOURNAL OF THE UÍ CINSEALAIGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The 35th edition of ‘The Past’ has just been published, but the public launch of the Journal has been cancelled due to the recent surge in the Covid-19 pandemic. The Journal is available in all Eason bookshops in Enniscorthy, Gorey and Wexford and also in the Book Centre, Main Street, Wexford, at €20 per copy. The present edition contains numerous articles dealing with many aspects of Wexford’s history and should be of interest to anyone even with a modicum of interest in the county’s storied past. It would make an ideal present for a friend or family member, especially for members of the Wexford diaspora. To deal with all the articles in detail would take up too much space; so a brief mention will have to suffice. In the beginning, Editor, Rev. Fr. James Hammel, pens an introductory note. John Garahy has a contribution on the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland 1922-1923. An article titled “The Men Will Talk to Me”, by Aaron Ó Maonaigh, deals with Ernie O’Malley’s interviews with Wexford veterans of the Irish Revolution. John Dundon writes about the War of Independence and the Civil War.

Eileen Wickham has an interesting piece on the Cultural Significance of the Pugin Legacy at St. Peter’s College. Rev Fr. Bill Cosgrave writes about The Brownes of Bigbarn: Their Two Bishops. There is an article on St. Abban of Moyarney: The Past is Always With Us written by Ellen Elizabeth Ganly. The final contribution is from Yvonne Reid and the title is Starting With My Wexford Ancestry.

Sean Doyle with a copy of the new edition of ‘The Past’.

– Sean Doyle

Pat’s new book

Best wishes to Pat Doran with his new book, Enniscorthy The Forgotten Republic – a fascinating insight into the part played by the people of Enniscorthy in the 1916 Rising locally and nationally. A must-read for anyone in town with links to the rebels of 1916, and anyone with an interest in local history. It’s available to buy now at Delaney’s newsagents, Rafter St, Enniscorthy.

Seamus O’Flaherty goes through some of the books on display.

Jack O’Leary, author of ‘Sailing Ships of Wexford’ with Brendan Howlin TD.

Family ties – Gerard White looks at the SS Isolda history stand – that ship sunk off Kilmore in 1940. Gerard’s grandfather served on it.

Thatched cottages of Kilmore. Noel Howlin looking for his family’s house. At the John Power exhibition opening, L-R: Brendan Howlin TD, Cllr Jim Moore, Chairman Rosslare Municipal District, John Power, and Cllr Jim Codd.

Kilmore Quay in the ‘Rare Oul Times’

John Power’s Exhibition, ‘Kilmore Quay Village in the Rare Oul Times’ took place in the Stella Maris Hall, 20-25th November.

Something for everybody at the exhibition as young Ben Mythen found out. Cllr Jim Codd met Marie Bates, and two former pupils of his from 20 years ago –Becci and Holly Power, at the exhibition.

Some of the attendees at the official launch. L-R: Joe Maddocks, Captain, John Grace and Aodhain Power.

Enniscorthy Historical Re-ena of Johnstown Castle

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society at the official launch of Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens on 11th November 2021. Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society’s Maria Nolan and Tom Boland at the official launch. On 11th November, Minister for Agricultu McConalogue TD, was joined by some des Johnstown Castle Estate from 100 years a ing of the majestic Johnstown Castle Estat Johnstown Castle opened its doors to the pu 850 years after the arrival of the Anglo-Norm pandemic meant that the occasion was not o ister McConalogue declared the gothic reviv Situated in 120 acres, the historic property o completion of a €7.5million investment by D Marine and Fáilte Ireland

Works and re-investment continue apace at J Gardens, including the redevelopment of the works on the Castle’s ballroom and the Victo

actment Society at the launch

Pic: Patrick Browne. Above: Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society’s Tom Boland and Maria Nolan with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, at the official launch. Pic: Mary Browne.

Below: Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society members at the official launch.

re, Food and the Marine, Charlie scendants of former staff of the ago, in celebrating the official opente, Museum & Gardens.

ublic for the first time in 2019 exactly mans to Wexford. The arrival of the officiated until last month when Minval doors of the castle ‘open’. opened pre-pandemic following the epartment of Agriculture, Food & the

Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & e sunken garden and conservation orian glasshouses. www.johnstowncastle.ie n

New releases from Wexford Public Libraries

Wexford Public Libraries are pleased to announce that they have two online offerings in relation to the revolutionary period (1912-1923) available now. These presentations – on “The Miracle of Irish Independence” and “Wexford Women and the Road to Independence” – are available on Wexford Public Libraries social media platforms. “The Miracle of Irish Independence” by Ronan McGreevy:

Ronan McGreevy considers the Irish War of Independence. Ronan is an Irish Times journalist, the author of Wherever the Firing Line Extends: Ireland and the Western Front and the editor of Centenary: Ireland remembers 1916, the official State book recalling the commemorations of 2016. Prior to joining the Irish Times in 2006, he wrote for The Times, the London Evening Standard and the Irish Post. He was also a radio and television producer with the BBC and Sky News.

“Wexford Women and the Road to Independence” by Barry Lacey, Historian-inresidence at Wexford Libraries:

Barry Lacey explores the role that women from Wexford played in the War of Independence and the Civil War. Barry has a Higher Diploma in Archaeology and a Masters in Archaeological Excavation. He has a keen interest in the War of Independence in County Wexford and has already created a website dedicated to this research. He was appointed Historian-in-residence for Wexford Libraries in June 2021.

Both videos are available now on Wexford Public Library’s Facebook and YouTube.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Barbara-Anne Murphy says, “Wexford County Council’s Decade of Centenaries programme continues to examine the events of one hundred years ago in Co. Wexford and nationally. Ronan and Barry draw vivid pictures of this time. I hope everyone will enjoy these online talks.”

For further information, contact the Local Studies Librarian, Caroline Barry at 053 919 6330 or libraryhq@wexfordcoco.ie n

Wexford War of Independence and Civil War Digitisation Wexford Libraries invites you to take part in “Wexford War of Independence and Civil War Di gitisation Day” in Wexford Library, Mallin Street, Wexford, on Friday, 10th December 2021, from 11am to 4pm. Members of the public are invited to bring photographs, postcards, letters, diaries, medals or other memorabilia in relation to this turbulent time in our history. Staff from Wexford Library will record the story of who they belonged to and why they are important. The objects will be scanned or photographed. Historians and experts will also be on hand to discuss the significance of these treasures. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Barbara-Anne Murphy, says, “I’m delighted that we are holding this digitisation day. It is a chance for us to engage with families whose ancestors were directly involved in events which led to the formation of our state and to the rich history of county Wexford.”

Advance booking essential. Contact Wexford library branch at wexfordlib@wexfordcoco.ie or 053 919 6760. n

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society news

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society had a very busy November from their prestigious photoshoot at the official opening of the beautiful Johnstown Castle by Minister of Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, which received national coverage on the 6.1 and 9 o’clock news, and in the Irish Times and the Irish Examiner, along with all local papers, depicting Johnstown as the gem of the south east and Wexford’s Downton Abbey, our reenactors re-created Lady Maurice Fitzgerald, the last owner of the Castle, along with her staff of maids, farm manager, game keeper and footman (see accompanying photos). In Gorey and New Ross, our re-enactors accompanied Historian in Residence at Wexford Libraries Barry Lacey on his informative, guided War of Independence and Civil War tours depicting all sections and divides from Flying Column, RIC, Black and Tan, to Free State army and IRA, as those in attendance found out exactly what happened in each town the where and the when, if not always the who.

And on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, EHRS laid a wreath at the Orchard Peace Park for all those from the town of Enniscorthy who lost their lives in that war to end wars, WWI.

EHRS is continuing to do its utmost to promote and educate members of the public on all aspects of Wexford’s history, heritage and culture, through interactive living histories from 1169 to 1798, and 1916 to 1922 and everything in between.

– Maria Nolan

Top photo: Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society at the Orchard Peace Park in Enniscorthy. Other two photos: Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society at the official opening of the beautiful Johnstown Castle.