Co.Wexford Ireland

Day 96/Ireland 29

Travelled:145km through Wexford County

Visited:Vinegar Hill (Enniscorthy), Wexford, Kilmore Quay, Hook Lighthouse 

Stay:Hook Lighthouse parking area N52.1239 W6.9305

As we left Arklow this morning we crossed over Ireland’s longest stone bridge with its 19 arches.

We also stopped to have a look at St Micheal’s.

Lovely baptismal font and chapel.

We decided to go back inland to Enniscorthy which had a turbulent past. In 1798 on nearby Vinegar Hill there was a fierce battle between the Wexford pikemen and the British forces. The outcome was that the rebels lost but with great casualties on both sides. We learnt about the history of the time and enjoyed the 360° views of Wexford County. 

We then returned to the coast and walked around Wexford for a couple of hours. The Vikings settled here and it became a thriving port, which continued through to Norman times. The Normans were responsible for the walls built around the town and the Abbey.

 In 1960 they took the roof off the Abbey so they did not have to pay any taxes as it could then classified as a ruin. What a pity.

 A small square near the market hall was named Bull Ring because the Normans used it for bull baiting twice a year. Later in 1649, Cromwell’s men massacred some towns people here. Not a great history for this square. 

Guinness is still popular but there is a rival in this town....

We finished off by walking along the Quay, that unfortunately during Victorian era silted up, so that only smaller boats that farm mussels operate from here now. 

We were pleasantly surprised with Kilmore Quay, with its lovely thatched cottages, small marina and memorial on the foreshore. 

Unfortunately there was no place to stay overnight so we continued on to Hook Lighthouse. 

800 years ago a lighthouse was commissioned here and so it is said to be the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world. We strolled around the grounds and the outbuildings and learnt about the lighthouse and the surrounding area. 

We then faced Bluey into the wind and watched the waves batter the rocks and the sun set into the Irish Sea.