Visit Wexford’s past with this year’s wonderful walking tours
THE WEXFORD FESTIVAL TOURS are organised by the local historian and author Nicholas Furlong, pictured right, and are held on behalf of Wexford Historical Society in association with the National Opera House.
The tours are led by expert guides to sites of historical interest and are open to everyone. There is no charge, but drivers are asked to offer seats to visitors. The tours leave the Talbot Hotel at 10.30 a.m. sharp each day and are scheduled to return to Wexford at 1 p.m.
A massive political and armed insurrection took place which involved all classes and creeds in 1798. Inspired by the French Revolution, Wexford was the storm centre. A walking tour of then convulsed Wexford town is led by retired auctioneer Ray Corish.
Our Lady’s Island Lake. A pleasant and scenic walk around Our Lady’s Island, a place of Pagan and Christian history and a site of international importance for wildlife, with naturalist Jim Hurley.
As we commemorate the rebellion of 1916 this year, the tour visits the military headquarters of the Irish Volunteers in Enniscorthy, its sites, exhibitions, strategic importances, vulnerability and inspiration with author historian Bernard Browne.
Wexford, the first safe harbour and port for explorers from France, Spain, England, Wales and Scandinavia since remote pre-history is saturated with the sea lore of captains and kings. The walking tour ‘ tails of sailors, ships and seas’ is led by musicologist and broadcaster Liam Gaul.
The decade commencing in 1910 was one of turmoil, suffering and defiance in County Wexford. The industrial strife in Wexford town in 1911 was so bitter it was not spoken of, but it featured national and international leaders, Richard Corish, James Conolly and James Larkin. It festered through 1916. The walking tour is led by Helen Corish-Wylde, a former mayor of Wexford.
A land steeped in mystery, veneration and sea drama, Carnsore Point, where the Irish Sea visibly crashes into the Atlantic. Ptolemy recorded the ‘Hieron Akron’ - sacred promontory. It was an early Christian site, succeeding the pre- Christian rites. All will be revealed by the President of the Wexford Historical Society, Brian Matthews.
Today’s tour will visit three sites of significance on the banks of the Slaney. Edermine House and oratory were in the possession of the famous Power Distillery family; Bellevue Church, designed by JJ McCarthy was part of a large estate owned by the Cliffe family; Bree Parish Church was the first church designed by Augustus Welby Pugin in County Wexford. The tour will be led by Jarlath Glynn, librarian and chairman of Wexford Historica Society. The tour explores Foulksmills, one of Wexford’s most exciting villages and areas with a richness of contrasting remains and traditions with author and editor Gregory Walsh.
1916: Subversive and conspiratorial Wexford town. The inocuous political nerve centres as revolution was planned, Volunteers drilled and were jailed while citizens, both prominent or busy on business or trades, organised for an upheaval. Walking tour with Nicholas Furlong.
Wilton Hospital, ‘On the Banks of the Boro’. This exciting venue originated as Cloch na Kayer in 1247 with occupier William de Denn. The Alcoks named it Wilton in 1695. It teems with legends. Its rejuvenation from Neo-Tudor ruin to luxury accommodation today is admirable. It was famed because of a General Election duel between cousins Alcock and Colclough. The Wilton sagas will be related by specialist John McCormack.