Enniscorthy

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The castle in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Enniscorthy (Inis Córthaidh in Irish) is the third largest town in County Wexford in the Republic of Ireland (Pop. town & environs 8,964 - source 2002 Census [CSO]). It is situated on the River Slaney in the centre of the county, 24 km north of the county town, Wexford. The town lies on the N11 road (part of European route E1) from Dublin to Wexford and on the Dublin - Wexford - Rosslare Europort railway line. People from Enniscorthy are colloquially known as "scalders".

The name Inis Corthaidh derives from the Irish Gaelic word for island (Inis) and what is thought to be an ancient personal name (Corthaidh). The town is situated at the tidal extreme of the River Slaney which is no doubt the reason its being settled originally. The river has gouged steep sides in surrounding rock over the millennia to create the distinctive hilly feel of the town that makes it eminently photogenic.

Enniscorthy has a number of points of interest. Saint Aidan's Cathedral [St. Aidan's Cathedral], designed by Augustus Welby Pugin, is a masterpiece of Neogothic architecture. In 1994 it was restored to his original designs. The Wexford County Museum contains a lot of 1798 rebellion-related material, as well as items of local and agricultural interest. The Museum is housed in Enniscorthy Castle, a typical Norman stronghold, in which Edmund Spenser wrote "The Faerie Queene". This Castle was also once owned by Sir Henry Wallop, whose maltreatment of his labourers gave rise to the English word "wallop".

Enniscorthy viewed from Vinegar Hill

Vinegar Hill (Cnoc Fíodh Na gCaor in Irish), a pudding-shaped hill overlooking the town, was the largest camp and headquarters of the rebels of 1798 who controlled county Wexford for 30 days against vastly superior forces, before their defeat on 21st June. However, many managed to flee south through a gap left in the English lines by General Needham(now known as Needham's Gap). During this time, Beauchamp Bagnell Harvey was declared as President of the Wexford Republic. The former Congregation of Christian Brothers monastery now houses a 1798 Visitor Centre[Visitor Centre] which tracks the path to modern democracy and the rebellion's place in it. Again, in 1916, Enniscorthy patriots took their place in history. James Connolly requested that the Enniscorthy Volunteers take and hold the railway line to prevent reinforcements from reaching Dublin. 600 Volunteers took the town, led by Robert Brennan, Seamus Doyle and J R Etchingham, surrounded the police station, but did not attempt to take it. They established headquarters at the Athenaeum, and held control until asked to surrender by Padraig Pearse. The Volunteers were escorted to Dublin to confirm the order before they stood down.

Enniscorthy hosts both the annual "Strawberry Fair" and "Blackstairs Blues" festivals.

Amenities: Enniscorthy is pleasantly situated by the River Slaney, and has short walks beside it to the north and to the south, on the west bank. The Town has a Catholic Cathedral, a Church of Ireland, a joint Methodist/Presbyterian church, a Society of Friends meeting hall, and a Masonic Lodge. There is a multiplex cinema, a swimming pool/recreation centre, several sports grounds, and several recently built hotels. Outside town, there is an 18-hole golf course, several pitch and putts, excellent fishing, and an international-quality spa at Monart House. The town boasts several historical sites and museums.

Guglielmo Marconi's mother was Annie Jameson, the grand-daughter of the founder of Jameson's Distillery. The location of the distillery, about 2 miles outside Enniscorthy is today known locally as "the Still". Eileen Gray was born in the town, and later became famous as a furniture designer and architect. Colm Tóibín, born in the town, has written several novels set in the area.

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