churches historical wexford

Once a flourishing medieval town, Clonmines still contains the remains of some of its old buildings. The town was given a charter by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, early in the 13th century, and the Kavanagh family founded an Abbey here for the Augustinian Eremites which was 'beautified' and enlarged in 1385.

The town was destroyed in 1400, but rose again. Although it scarcely survived the 17th century, it continued to send members to Parliament up till 1800. Nevertheless, as l...

A monastery was founded here by St. Fintan Munna but little is known of its history. A church appears to have been in existence here in the 14th century (though the present church was probably built in the 15th century) and was plundered by Farrell Macgeoghegan in 1452. By 1587 it belonged to the Nugent family, but the church was ruined by 1622.

Cromwell is said to have slept here. The church was being used in 1755, and was restored in 1847 and again in 1927. It has a nave and chanc...

St. Selskar's church was founded possibly by the Roche family for the Canons Regular of St. Augustine and dedicated to SS Peter and Paul. The name may be a corruption of the work 'Sepulchre' as tradition says that the church was founded by a lady who thought that her betrothed had been killed on a Crusade to the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and who joined the monastery she had founded.

When her intended returned from the wars alive, he found his bride already a nun, and...

St. Mary's Church was founded probably by William, Earl Marshall, and his wife Isabella between 1207 and 1220, and is possibly the largest medieval parish church in Ireland. It had a nave, chancel, and two transepts, but a 19th century church now occupies the site of the nave and the crossing. The south transept may have been built later than the other parts of the church.

There are three graceful lancet windows in the east gable, and a number of other lancet windows still survive in...

The Churches:
The modern road runs through the area comprising the old monastery founded by the King of Leinster for St. Meadhog in the 6th century, and which was plundered by the Vikings in 930. In 1152 the ill-starred Dermot MacMurrough Kavanagh founded an Abbey, but it was burned down two years later. He rebuilt it in 1160 and handed it over to the Augustinians. Portions of this church still survive; they are the ruins furthermost from the road and can be recognised by the cha...

Ballymore retains many features which have survived from past periods of occupation in an attractive setting of mature trees, ordered landscape and views of the surrounding countryside.

Once the centre of small country estate, the tenanted lands were sold to occupiers early this century, leaving the residence and home farm where seasonal farming activities continue throughout the year.

The Visitors' facility adjoins the residence, and in the parking area provided, a large s...

It boasts several interesting features. The fine interior is late georgian, while the front on the Main Street is of late 19th century Venetian Renaissance style. There are many monuments to those who worshipped there in former times.

The church is open to the public 6 days per week for tours. There is a guide available at all these times and tours are free of charge. A donation towards the restoration costs is optional....