Visit Wexford’s storied past
THE POPULAR Wexford Festival Opera Tours are organised by local historians Bernard Browne and Nicholas Furlong on behalf of Wexford Historical Society in association with the National Opera House.
The historical tours have been running for as long as the festival itself and are led by expert guides who take visitors to interesting and intriguing places around Wexford town and county.The tours are open to everyone and are free of charge.
The tours leave the Talbot Hotel car park at 10:30am and are scheduled to return to Wexford at 1pm, in time to enjoy the festival’s afternoon events. If you’ve no car, don’t worry – people with cars make room for those without. Friday, October 20
A visit to Ardcavan’s early promontory fort, Wexford reclaimed land ten feet below high water level, the Begerin Island mystery and the National Bird Sanctuary with history teacher, John McCormack.
Saturday, October 21
A walking tour of Wexford Quays, home to a rich shipping and military history with author and musicologist Liam Gaul. Monday, October 23
A tour of Enniscorthy: Co.Wexford’s historical, cultural and industrial centre, with Enniscorthy historian David Hasslacher.
Tuesday, October 24
A tour of a modern architectural gem: Wexford’s County Hall with its superb art collection with chief executive officer of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright.
Wednesday, October 25
Explore the 19th-century emigrant ships, the old dockyard, and railway connections. A walking tour with local THE GLORIOUS sounds of chorus, orchestra and soloists will fill Rowe Street Church on Sunday, October 22, at 2pm when Wexford Festival Singers present their annual festival concert.
The choir, along with members of the Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera and soloists will perform Gounod’s St Cecilia Mass and Mendelssohn’s cantata Lauda Sion under the direction of conductor Kevin O’Carroll.
The soloists will be the Wexford soprano Sinead Campbell-Wallace, the mezzo soprano Mihaela Loredana Chirvase, the tenor Philip Keegan and bass-baritone Rory Dunne.
Since its foundation in 1975, Wexford Festival Singers has performed every year during the Opera Festival and has presented most of the great choral works to an enthusiastic audience.
Tickets for this concert can be bought at wexfordartscentre.ie or in person at the Arts Centre box office. businessman Ray Corish. Thursday, October 26
Viking Wexford: Wexford or Wexfjord, was one of Ireland’s original Viking towns from 850-1170. Author and historian Nicky Furlong takes you on this fascinating walking tour. Friday, October 27
A visit to the Ballyteige Burrow Walking Trail in the picturesque seaside fishing village of Kilmore Quay with its ancient rocks, magnificent sand dunes, beach and extensive drainage works with author and local naturalist Jim Hurley. Saturday, October 28
The Life and Times of William, Earl Marshal of England, who married the granddaughter of the King of Leinster, Diarmait MacMurrough, was responsible for much of the development in medieval Co. Wexford. Historian Greg Walsh takes you to one of his many foundations, Tintern Abbey (sister to the famous Welsh Abbey).
Monday, October 30
2017 marks the centennial of the death of MP Major Willie Redmond, at the Battle of Messines. This guided walking tour of sites associated with the Redmond family with the leading expert on this unique Wexford family, local historian and author Jarlath Glynn.
Tuesday, October 31
In the 18th and 19th century Wexford town was home to a thriving malting industry. Follow the walking trail of Wexford Malthouses, particularly the O’Keefe family of the Faythe who commissioned stained glass artist Harry Clarke to create the O’Keefe window in the Church at Bride Street with author and historian Eithne Scallan. Wednesday, November 1
A World War I Royal Air Corp Air- ship base was located in the grounds of Johnstown Castle. Peter Miller, Chairman of The Irish Agricultural Museum provides a unique insight into the operation of the base. Thursday, November 2
TD Richard Corish, the longest consecutively elected serving Mayor of Wexford, was instrumental in developing Wexford town and helping its people during one of the most turbulent periods in Ireland’s 20th century. Learn more about the life and remarkable times with his grand-daughter, historian and tour guide Helen Corish-Wylde.
Friday, November 3
The 19th-century internationally renowned architect AW Pugin, designed many churches in Co. Wexford. Author and historian Bernard Browne explores one such neo-gothic chapel, St Peter’s College and the Ferns Diocesan Archives.
Saturday, November 4
The first aero-flight across the Irish Sea landed in Co. Wexford in 1912. Visit the site and a museum collection of memorabilia in a local pub with Wexford Historical Society historian Brian Matthews.