History of County Wexford

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 27. Chapters: Archaeological sites in County Wexford, Castles in County Wexford, Deputy Lieutenants of Wexford, Historic constituencies in County Wexford, Lord-Lieutenants of Wexford, Loftus Hall, Ferns Report, Siege of Duncannon, Battle of Vinegar Hill, Sack of Wexford, Wexford Borough, Battle of New Ross, Battle of Arklow, Wexford Rebellion, Battle of Three Rocks, Fethard, Francis Bruen, Battle of Oulart Hill, List of National Monuments in County Wexford, Enniscorthy, Clonmines, Battle of the Harrow, Taghmon, Bannow, Robert Carew, 1st Baron Carew, Fethard-on-Sea boycott, Edward Hay, Battle of Foulksmills, South Wexford, Gorey, Robert Carew, 2nd Baron Carew, Wexford County, Battle of Bunclody, Battle of Tuberneering, Battle of Enniscorthy, North Wexford, Robert Carew, 3rd Baron Carew, Battle of Ros-Mhic-Thriúin, Wexford Martyrs, NAS Wexford, Barntown Castle, Lord Lieutenant of Wexford, Camolin Cavalry. Excerpt: County Wexford (Irish: ) 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 Cheinnsealaig, 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. Bree Portal tomb.Evidence of early human habitation of County Wexford is widespread. Ireland was inhabited sometime shortly after the ending of the last Ice Age, approximately 10,000 - 8000 BC 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, 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. Cinerary Urn from Late Bronze Age, found near Gorey.Portal tombs (sometimes called Dolmens) exist at Ballybrittas (on Bree Hill) 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. Cist Burials (also dating from the Bronze Age period) have been discovered in many locations - such as at the Deeps, Enniscorthy, and Misterin. There are also numerous Standing Stones in the county and one Stone Circle (at Robinstown Great - classified as a four poster monument). The remains of numerous Raths are scattered throughout rural County Wexford. An Ogham Stone was found on the Hook Peninsula in the 19th century. Ogham Stones have also been found elsewhere in the County. Pre-Christian Ireland worshipped a variety of deities, including the sun. D