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Enniscorthy
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Enniscorthy is
the second largest town in Wexford and is situated right in the
heart of the county. Set against the backdrop of historic Vinegar
Hill this vibrant town is dominated by an imposing Norman castle
(now a museum) and the River Slaney.
Modern Enniscorthy has an abundance of facilities available to
visitors including a multiplex cinema, a swimming pool and leisure
centre, golf course, river walks, fishing and a great selection of
shops, pubs and restaurants. Enniscorthy makes for a fantastic
touring base being close to beautiful mountains and long stretches
of Irelands southeast coastline just waiting to be explored.
Enniscorthy Castle was constructed over 800 years ago and was the
lynchpin around which the town developed. It was a private dwelling
until 1951. Today the castle houses the Wexford County Museum. The
museum explores the development of the Castle and town from its
earliest Anglo-Norman origins, with a special focus on the Castle as
a family home. There are exhibitions exploring the 1916 Rising in
Enniscorthy, as well as the work of Irish furniture designer and
architect Eileen Gray (born in 1878 just outside the town.
Vinegar Hill overlooking Enniscorthy, was the largest camp and
headquarters of the Irish rebels during the 1798 Rising. This famous
event in Irish history is commemorated in the National 1798 Visitor
Centre located in Millpark Road, Enniscorthy. The history of the
rising, its European context and aftermath are all revisited using
the latest audio-visual technology.
Highlights include a
mock debate between the English Thomas Paine and the Anglo-Irish
Edmund Burke and a reconstruction of the Rebellion as a game of
chess with six-foot-chess pieces. For children, there’s a 1798
themed play area and games presenting history as a game of chance.
Another highlight in Enniscorthy is St. Aidan’s Cathedral, a Gothic
Revival building designed by Augustus Pugin. Dating from 1843, the
building is a smaller version of Tintern Abbey in Wales. St Aidan's
tall spire, fine doorway and exquisite east window are recommended
viewing.
Enniscorthy Golf Club is a beautiful 18 hole parkland golf course
located just 2km southwest of the town centre. Founded in 1907 the
fairways are generous but the positioning of many beautiful old
trees give the golfer that extra degree of difficulty. The course
enjoys wonderful views of Wexford's rolling countryside and the
Blackstairs mountains. Enniscorthy Golf Club has been described by
course architect, the late Eddie Hackett as "a joy for the average
golfer and a test for the expert".
The Enniscorthy Strawberry Festival is a long-standing veteran of Co
Wexford’s festival calendar. It is held on the last weekend in June
each year and features music, theatre, street entertainment,
funfairs, markets and kids' activities. The festival also has many
fringe events such as craft fair, photographic exhibition, teddy
bears picnic, ice cream party etc. Many associated events take place
over the weekend including the Strawberry half-marathon and an
All-Ireland Farmers’ Market Championship. The humble Wexford
strawberry itself is not neglected. It is on offer throughout the
town all weekend.
The Blackstairs Blues Festival takes place in Enniscorthy every
September. With twelve venues and three days of music, the festival
is the biggest Blues Festival in South East Ireland. From starting
out with local musicians, the festival now attracts recording
artists from all over Europe, the UK, Canada and the U.S.A.
Enniscorthy is a fantastic place to discover at any time of the
year! |
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Enniscorthy Holiday Homes - County Wexford, Ireland