Is Wexford a Viking town?
Is Wexford a Viking town?
Wexford is synonymous with ‘Vikings’ as it is one of the premier Hiberno-Norse port towns in the whole of Ireland. The first Viking incursions into Wexford were recorded in 819 CE when they raided the island of Begerin (Little Ireland) in the mouth of Wexford harbour.
Why is Wexford called Wexford?
Wexford, Irish Loch Garman, seaport and county seat, County Wexford, Ireland, on the River Slaney. The name Wexford derives from the Norse settlement of Waesfjord. It was an early colony of the English, having been taken by Robert FitzStephen in 1169.
What famous people live in Wexford?
People
- Bunny Ahearne – president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
- Michael Balfe – 19th-century composer, grew up in Wexford.
- John Banville – novelist (2005 Booker Prize and 2013 Austrian State Prize for European Literature)
- Major G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton – zoologist, grew up in Kilmanock.
Why did the Normans land in Wexford?
Why did the Normans come to Ireland? In 1169, Diarmuid McMurrough, the deposed Irish king of Leinster, brought Norman knights here to help him regain his kingdom. Those Norman forces first set foot on Irish soil at Bannow Bay on the south coast of Wexford. Despite Irish resistance the Normans never left.
What is the most common surname in Wexford?
Murphy
31. Wexford – Murphy. One of the most well-known Irish surnames, Murphy, is the most popular last name in Wexford. The Gaelic equivalent of this anglicised surname is Ó Murchadha, and it means “sea battler”.
Is Wexford a nice place to live?
Wexford is a medieval town with lots of historic buildings of interest. The people are very friendly And engaging. To top it all off, Wexford has world class culinary offerings based on fresh local food with a particular emphasis on fresh seafood. There’s also an exciting new movement towards craft brewing in the town.
Where did Strongbow land in Ireland?
Henry then led his army to Dublin. The Norman lords affirmed their loyalty to Henry and handed over the territory they had conquered to him. He let Strongbow hold Leinster in fief and declared Dublin, Wexford and Waterford to be crown land.
What is the most common second name in Ireland?
Murphy, which has been Ireland’s most popular surname for more than 100 years, retains the top spot. Kelly claims the number two position, followed by Byrne and Ryan.
Where is the town of Wexford in Ireland?
Wexford is a historic Viking town that sits at the mouth of the River Slaney, overlooking Wexford Harbour. The town was founded at the beginning of the 9th Century when Viking raiders decided to construct a small settlement in the area.
Who was the founder of the county of Wexford?
In pre- Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, with its capital at Ferns . The county was formed in Norman times. It was created in 1210 by King John during his visit to Ireland. Bree Portal tomb. Evidence of early human habitation of County Wexford is widespread.
When did the Norse people settle in Wexford?
Settlements in Wexford are shown on maps dated in the second century. The Norse Vikings established the town of Wexford in the ninth or tenth century as a trading settlement. The Norse were eventually driven out of this area to the area around Rosslare where they gradually were assimilated into the local population.
Who are the native people of County Wexford?
On Ptolemy’s mid-2nd century ‘Map’ of Ireland – dating from c. AD 150 – Carnsore point appears as Hieron, the Sacred Cape, the river Barrow as the Birgos (or Birgus ), most of the area of County Wexford is shown as inhabited by a tribe called the Brigantes, and a tribe called the Coriondi (or Koriondoi) are shown as occupying north County Wexford.
