Irish Name: Loch Garman - "Lake of Garma"
County Town: Wexford
Nickname: The Model County, The Yellowbellies
GAA Colors: Purple and Gold
Famous People with Wexford roots: John Fitzgerald Kennedy, John Barry, Admiral Earl Beatty, general John O'Herron, Thomas Moore, 'Big' Jem Roche, Bill Roche, Ned Kelly
Wexford makes up the southeast corner of the island was the country's gateway to Europe for centuries. It is here that the Normans, Danes, Viking and Celts all landed at one time or another so that traces of many different civilisations can be found scattered all over the county.
The unique heritage and culture this has given the people of Wexford makes it an essential part of any itinerary. The 'Sunny South East' boats some of the country's most fantastic scenery with the Blacklion and Wicklow Mountains on its borders, the miles of golden beaches on its eastern shore and its Atlantic wracked southern shore.
Among the many attractions the 'Model County' boasts is the National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig, which depicts the evolution of Irish history from 7,000BC to the 12th century and the arrival of the Normans. The Hook Lighthouse is a massive 100ft structure that predates the practice of building stone lighthouses by over 600 years. The Ring of Hook Drive takes you through some beautifully scenic coastal roads and historic sites.
With its beaches and coastal towns Wexford is a paradise for those with an interest in watersports, particularly windsurfing and sailing. There's plenty of good fishing too and several award winning golf courses. 'Quad Attack' in Enniscorthy is an exciting way for the whole family to have a good time and the adrenaline rush from it will not be long forgotten.
With something for everyone the Wexford is one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland. Getting more sun than any other county every year the area is particularly popular with Irish people as well and so you can be assured of meeting people from all over the isle when you visit Wexford.
Common Surnames in Wexford: Murphy, Sinnott, Doyle, Furlong, Walsh, Rossiter, Scallan, Brien, Brown, Stafford, Devereux and Kavanagh
7 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Liamkeyes | Jan 23, 2012, 04:58 PM EST
My Mother was from two miles out the road from Enniscorthy, The Milehouse. She was a Devereux(A Norman Name) Adam Devereux came over from Normandy in the 10th Century. Lots of relations there.
seamusp | Jan 01, 2012, 10:21 AM EST
This article is good, I like this, good information. My Ancestors are from Wexford !
donsiding | Oct 02, 2011, 05:28 PM EDT
My grandfather Michael Sutton and his brother Patrick J. Sutton was born in County Wexford, town of New Ross and left for the U.S about 1855. They settled in Dubuque,Iowa and later in Le Mars, Iowa. I wonder if there is a relationship between us and the post by wuilso127?
seanreidy | Sep 09, 2011, 09:56 AM EDT
I think the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross should be prominently mentioned when you talk about County Wexford. It houses the Irish America Hall of Fame and the new National Emigration History Centre. It is Wexford's foremost visitor attraction
leinsterlady | Sep 20, 2010, 02:59 PM EDT
wuilso- I also suggest you research Templeshambo which would have adjoined Newtownbarry back in the 1800's. Regards, Elizabeth
leinsterlady | Sep 20, 2010, 02:50 PM EDT
Dear Irish Central, I come from near the Blackstairs mountains, which you mistakenly called Blacklion mountains. Dear wuilso127 if your ancestors came from near the Carlow/Wexford border, you should research Bunclody which is on the Carlow/Wexford border and was called Newtownbarry prior to 1952. Bunclody has Redmonds pub and Nolan's butcher. Regards, Elizabeth
wuilso127 | Sep 17, 2010, 10:19 AM EDT
My Redmond and Sutton ancestry came over to America from County Wexford in about 1850, when Michael Redmond bought a farm in Shields Township in Lake County, Illinois, bringing most of his adult family with him. My son and I visited the County At New Ross and the southern area down to the Hook in April 2006, although in fact, our origins may have been closer to the area of Enniscorthy, near Carlow, where there may have been a Redmond-Nolan marriage.