Things to do when in Wexford - with and without Ca$h!

feargale wrote: »

Some years ago there was an annual Liars Competition somewhere in Wexford. Does anybody know anything about it? Does it still happen?

I know loads about it*










*I'm the founding member

Apologies, I was trying to be funny by telling a lie:o

Meh, ain't going there anymore since they started charging in the gates. Ah there was a time when you'd get a large bag of apples for 4 yo's (the horses would get fed on them too) and you'd get to see the animals free.....

DubiousV wrote: »

Took the family to Wells House yesterday and honestly can't recommend it enough. Lovely walks, craft shops, huge play area for kids, archery, picnic area and all for the six euro per car entry. Staff were lovely as well, will be returning to this one.

Its now €8 per car

john47 wrote: »

Something to do that's free. Try your hand at a game of Scrabble. The club meets every Tuesday at 8pm in the Gaelic Bar on Distillery Road (go past Tesco's and its just after Domino's). All Welcome. Phone John for more info 086 3953846

Great idea

Heritage Tours Wexford - what can I say! The indefatigable Cathy Keane invited my youngest and myself for a freebie tour of Historic Ferns yesterday afternoon. I have to say that I was of two minds - it clashed with the Munster v Ulster rugby match and I didn't think that Ferns Castle in particular would be worth the visit. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Cathy is a relative blow-in to County Wexford and a self-taught tour guide, but she is the real deal and we had the benefit of the full tour commentary.

First stop the ruins of Ferns Castle now managed by the OPW and although only a remnant of what was once stood here, it is quite dramatic up close and personal. The Castle was reputedly built by William Marshall (son of the 1st Earl of Pembroke) in the early 13th century and was eventually destroyed by Cromwellian forces in 1649.



Just down the road through Ferns Village is the Church of Ireland Cathedral and early Monastic site - more history than you could shake a stick at - and the adjoining graveyard contains the remains of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster, who invited the Normans to Ireland in 1169.





In another part of the graveyard is the resting place of Father Murphy, the rebel priest of 1798 fame, but as he was hung drawn and quartered in Tullow only his head is said to have been buried in Ferns.

Down the road from Cathedral is St.Mogue's Well - credited with restorative properties - including hair loss - but the water was too murky for my liking. Still judging by the rosary beads and photographs, it's still attracting the faithful.



The original well with a small stone roof and cross can be seen from the road but is now locked off - who knows why?

Back on the bus and on to Enniscorthy via the Harrow - just outside of which is the spot where the first serious incident of the 1798 rebellion took place on the 26th May. At a place now known as Bookey's Stream a party of the Camolin Cavalry were attacked by locals angered by the burning of nearby farmsteads. The aforementioned Lieutenant Bookey and another soldier were killed and the rebellion was underway....



Just a tiny snippet from one of six guided tours run by Cathy and well worth a day-out for locals and tourists alike.

Check-out Cathy's site here for more information: http://www.bualadhbuscabs.com/page5.htm

Visit Enniscorthy home of the Brooklyn movie, admire the standard of maintenance at the 'Brooklyn Bench', site of the very shortlived bee hotels (hacked down by the village idiots), and note the council's ongoing efforts to eradicate botanical diversity.

If you are interested in walking routes look at the maps https://wexfordwalkingtrail.ie/trails-maps/

Gives into on the length and grade for each way-marked route. It's a great resource.