9 minute read
History & Heritage
Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society’s Maria Nolan (centre) at the launch in Johnstown Castle of Brittany Ferries new service on the Rosslare to Bilbao route. Maria Nolan in Johnstown Castle with Johnny Mythen TD.
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Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society in Clonmel.
April was a very busy month for Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society, kicking off with an invitation to that regal gem of the South East, Johnstown Castle, for the official announcement by Brittany Ferries of the introduction of their newest ship, the Galicia, on the Rosslare to Bilbao route. As Johnstown Castle quickly emerges as Wexford’s very own version of Downton Abbey, Rosslare is rapidly evolving as one of the major ports of the EU.
Announcing the introduction of the new ship, the President of Brittany Ferries, Jean Marc Roue, explained that the Galicia takes its name from that magical region in the north west of Spain, where culture and art abound. ‘This stunning area was the inspiration for the ship’s design, she was built to impress and to be a taste of Spain.’
With beautifully finished interior spaces, cabins, and a host of options in which to dine, relax and enjoy the ride, the Gali-
cia sounds like a mini cruise vessel, geared towards the tourist and ‘should contribute significantly to the tourism potential of County Wexford’ according to Minister James Browne, who was on hand to welcome the announcement.
MC for the event Eamonn Hore enchanted the Brittany Ferries delegation with details of France’s close historic connection to Wexford and in particular our shared Norman heritage, and complimented EHRS for their very fine display of Norman costumes and weaponry bringing that heritage to life for the occasion. On Saturday 9th April, EHRS received an invitation from the Royal Irish and South Irish Horse Regiments to celebrate Regimental Association Day with them in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and on Sunday 17th April, the group were doing what they enjoy and are good at, as they visited Dunamaggin, Co. Kilkenny, for the Easter Commemoration at the memorial of Captain Pat Walsh, a local hero, and then on Easter Monday the group visited Kinsale, Co. Cork, to re-enact, along with Lord Edwards Own, the handing over of the military barracks at the exquisitely ancient Charles Fort, from the Crown Forces to the Irish provisional government in 1922. The event, attended by Minister of State at OPW, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Mayor
Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society (EHRS) in Kinsale.
of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan, featured music and a re-enactment of the handover.
Mayor Coughlan described the event as ‘a very symbolic moment when the British military withdrew from the town after centuries. It is important that we recognise this significant step in the progression towards nationhood’, she said.
Wexford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Cork –Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society making a national name for themselves and Enniscorthy as they bring history to life all over the South East and beyond with photographs of the events in local newspapers, the Irish Independent and the Irish Examiner.
Keeping up the excellent work.
– Words & Pics by Maria Nolan
Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society in Kinsale.
The work of the Irish Heritage Trust
The Irish Heritage Trust cares for and brings to life a variety of historic houses, gardens and parklands in Ireland, while developing innovative visitor experiences at these beautiful places: Fota House & Gardens (Cork); Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens (Wexford), Strokestown Park & The National Famine Museum (Roscommon).
The Trust is bringing benefit to local communities and businesses through tourism, employment and a successful volunteering programme. It aims to achieve financial sustainability so these properties survive and thrive for current and future generations and achieves its goals through partnerships with a number of stakeholders and communities. Environmental sustainability is a core objective, including the protection and enhancement of our natural heritage across all properties. The guiding motto is “People, Place, Participation” and the Trust engages with and connects citizens to these special places through participation. The Irish Heritage Trust CLG is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and is governed by a voluntary board of directors. It recently announced the appointment of five directors to join its board including former Minister and MEP Avril Doyle from Wexford. The Irish Heritage Trust receives funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, while continuing to develop and advance strategies towards long-term financial sustainability from multiple sources for each of the properties in its care. This includes donations, visitors and events, as well as Irish Heritage Trust membership which is presently at approximately 7,500 members. The thriving Irish Heritage Trust volunteering programme is a central part of the Trust’s approach of bringing places to life through community engagement and participation. For further details on The Irish Heritage Trust see www.irishheritagetrust.ie Twitter: @IrHeritageTrust n
Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens
A new and very different Medieval Ferns Experience
Want to try something new and very different? Well, Wexford's newest visitor attraction is now open in Ferns – located at Ferns Community Centre in a specially refurbished area.
The Experience tells the fascinating story of Ferns medieval history in an interactive and fun way. Using audiovisual sensory and virtual reality it really gives a great insight into power shifts in the Ancient Capital of Leinster. The Experience is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm. For enquiries email: medievalfernsexperience@fernsvillage.ie or phone: 089-4946972. Entry fee is €6. Seniors/Students €5. Children under 12 are free. n
New booklet on Wexford's history during the War of Independence and Civil War
A booklet for schools on the War of Independence and the Civil War in County Wexford was launched recently by Wexford Libraries.
“County Wexford War of Independence and Civil War: an educational resource” charts the events and timeline of the War of Independence and the Civil War in County Wexford. It is a resource for young people from 4th class in primary school to 3rd year in secondary school. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy introduced the booklet to an enthusiastic audience. This was followed by a talk by Historian in Residence Barry Lacey to a class of 1st year students from CBS Wexford.
The booklet was researched and written by local historian Monica Crofton and edited by Executive Librarian Hazel Percival and Library Assistant Michael Dempsey. It was designed by Nicola Bailey. The booklet will be distributed to all schools in County Wexford in the coming weeks. It will also be available in all Wexford library branches with an electronic version on the library website. Schools can request a class visit from Barry Lacey, Historian in Residence, to discuss this important time in our history with the students. L-R: Executive Librarian Hazel Percival, Cllr Pip Breen, Cllr John Hegarty.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Barbara-Anne Murphy says, “This booklet is a wonderful learning resource for our young people so that they can engage with the history of their area from a hundred years ago.” n
Primary Over €230,000 in funding for Wexford monuments and historic sites
Minister James Browne TD
Evening time at Vinegar Hill.
Pic: Dee O’Leary.
Minister James Browne TD confirmed last month that government funding of more than €230,000 will be invested into community monument heritage sites across Co. Wexford. The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. It contains a number of different measures aimed at enabling conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support, encouraging access to archaeological monuments and improving their presentation, and also building resilience in archaeological monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change. Three County Wexford archaeological monuments will receive capital investment to support essential repairs and conservation works. Fethard Castle and Mountgarret Castle will both receive allocations of €85,000 while €26,664 will be invested into Ishartmon Church and Graveyard near Tomhaggard in south Wexford. Four Co. Wexford archaeological monuments will benefit from the development of conservation management plans to ensure the site’s conservation and improve public access. Barrystown Mine near Wellingtonbridge receives €7,014 while €6,461 is awarded to Templetown Church, which is located between Fethard and Hook Head. St. Senan’s Church and Graveyard in Enniscorthy and Toome Church near Camolin will both receive €4,983. Vinegar Hill will receive €9,995 in funding to enhance the access infrastructure and interpretative amenities at the historic battlefield site.
Welcoming the funding, Minister Browne commented how the Government is “keen to protect Co. Wexford’s wonderful archaeological heritage. We want to make our heritage sites more accessible to the many who cherish it. Co. Wexford’s Norman Way and Ireland’s Ancient East will benefit from the additional investment into key historic sites including Vinegar Hill, Ishartmon Church and Fethard Castle. My government colleagues and I will continue to promote our county’s terrific archaeological heritage.” n
What Tessa Did at School During the Irish Cultural Revival. Speakers: Dr Kate McCarthy and Dr Úna Kealy. Venue, Time & Date: Enniscorthy Library 26th May at 7pm. Attending an all-girls Catholic secondary school in the early 1900s lent a particular political and cultural shade of green to the educational experience of young Irish women. In this lecture, theatre historians Dr Kate McCarthy and Dr Una Kealy consider how Waterford playwright Teresa Deevy’s school days in St Mary’s Secondary School, Ursuline Convent, may have impacted her expectations and aspirations as a young woman entering into the most volatile and interesting time in Irish history and are expressed in her ballet entitled ‘Possession or Cattle of the Gods’. Dr McCarthy and Dr Kealy consider how the educational environment of St Mary’s, combined with the changing attitudes around women’s role within Irish society, may have influenced Deevy and other young Irish women at the start of the twentieth century. Booking essential: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3885405 Wexford War of Independence and Civil War Digitisation: Wexford Libraries and Archives invite you to take part in a “Wexford War of Independence and Civil War Digitisation Day” in Gorey Library, Gorey Civic Square, The Avenue, Gorey, on Friday, 13th May 2022 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 Libraries will record the story of whom 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. Advance booking essential. Contact Gorey library branch at goreylib@wexfordcoco.ie or 053 948 3820. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Barbara-Anne Murphy says, “I’m delighted we are holding these digitisation days. 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 Co. Wexford.”
