ENNISCORTHY

In 1868, the parish of Enniscorthy contained the following places:

"ENNISCORTHY, a parish, a post and market town (in the parishes of Templeshannon and St. Mary's Enniscorthy), baronies of Scarawalsh and Ballaghkeen, county Wexford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 7 miles S.W. of Ferns, and 80 from Dublin. It is situated at the foot of Vinegar Hill, on the banks of the Slaney, which is here crossed by a handsome bridge of six arches. It is alleged to have been the capital of the Coriandi of Ptolemy. In 1649 the castle was taken by Oliver Cromwell, and again by the rebels in 1798, who, 7,000 in number, encamped upon Vinegar Hill, and attacked the garrison of 290 men, who, after a short but valiant resistance, were murdered with the greatest cruelty. The town was burnt, and scenes of horror and bloodshed enacted such as have hardly been equalled in the annals of history. The principal seats are Edermine House and Wilton. Here are the remains of a Franciscan friary, founded in 1460 by Donald Kavanagh. The site was granted by Queen Elizabeth, with the manor, to Sir Henry Wallop. There are also traces of an Augustinian monastery of the 13th century, a cell to the Abbey of St. Thomas of Dublin, founded by Gerald de Prendergast, and granted to Spenser the poet by Queen Elizabeth. Enniscorthy Castle is a remarkably fine specimen of early Anglo-Norman military architecture. It is said to have been founded by Raymond-le-Gros, relative of Strongbow. The corn trade is the principal staple of the town, and the navigation of the Slaney greatly facilitates commerce. There are several factories for blankets. It is a chief police station and sessions town, and returned two members before the Union to the Irish parliament. Here are the parish church, a nunnery, a Methodist chapel, a Roman Catholic chapel, two banks, almshouses endowed by Bishop Vigor, and a fever hospital. The Poor-law Union of Enniscorthy has 14 electoral divisions in the counties of Wexford and Carlow, with 29 guardians. The poorhouse has arrangements for 1,039 paupers. The town is the property of Lord Portsmouth. The conveyances are:- coaches and cars to Newross and Wexford every day. A railway is now open to Enniscorthy, on the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford line. The river abounds in fine salmon and trout. Thursday and Saturday are market days. Fairs are held on the 21st January, February, and March, and the 25th April, 10th May, 7th June, 5th July, 26th August, 19th September, 10th October, 15th November, and 21st December."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018