About

Enniscorthy (Irish: Inis Coirte: Rock Island)  is the second-largest town in County Wexford with a population of some 10,838 at the 2011 Census.

The town occupies the steeply sloping ground on both banks of the River Slaney, and grew up as a fortress guarding a strategic crossing place. The skyline is dominated by the Norman Castle, on which building commenced in 1201 by the de Prendergast family, and the magnificent Gothic style St.Aidan’s Cathedral designed by the famous architect Augustus Welby Pugin and completed in 1846.

The town has been the subject of many attacks down the centuries with the castle changing hands on a regular basis. Fortuitously the castle was surrendered to Oliver Cromwell in 1649, thus ensuring it escaped the fate dished out to many who opposed him.  In 1746 John Wallop, the 1st Earl of Portsmouth, the biggest landowner in the area, repaired the castle and restored it as a modern residence. During the 1798 Insurrection it was used as a prison by both sides at different times but by 1863 it had again become neglected and looked like falling into ruin once more. During the Fenian Rising of 1867 it was used to accommodate extra police who were drafted into the area.

In the 1890s the castle was sold by the Portsmouth Estate to local businessman, P.J.Roche of New Ross who extensively restored and rebuilt it as a family home. The family continued living there until 1960 when it was sold again. This time a local committee purchased the castle and since that time it has been used as a museum.

Abbey Square from a postcard sent in 1926.