Mural Towers in Wexford.

Photographs of some of the mural towers in Wexford Town, which were built by the Normans. These towers were built because they made it easier for the town's garrison to defend lengthy stretches of the town's wall.

There are two distinct styles of mural towers - both of which can be seen in Wexford.

Rectangular Mural Tower - The first towers were rectangular in shape. This one can be found in the car park of Rowe Street Church.



Another shot:



Cylindrical Mural Tower - Later, the Normans began to favour a cylindrical shape. This one can be seen in an amenity area that connects Upper George's Street with Westgate Park. This particular walkway also brings you to Westgate Tower.



The fact that Wexford has two distinct styles tells us that the southern half of the wall (between Rowe Street Church and Barrack Street) was probably built before the northern half (Cornmarket to Westgate). This would help to explain why the northern parts of the wall are in a better condition.

St. Mary Magdalene's Graveyard

A photograph of the St. Mary Magdalene graveyard in Maudlintown, Wexford. Unfortunately, the public can no longer gain access to the grounds. The site was home to an ancient church and leper hospital up until the 1600s. After Cromwell took over Wexford, several Catholic churches in the area were sacked for their building materials.

Selskar Gate

A photograph of Selskar Gate in Wexford Town. This was one of seven Norman gateways that provided access to the walled town of Wexford. This particular gateway is often (erroneously) referred to as West Gate, which was the name of a nearby gate that was demolished.

Fishing in Ferrycarrig, Wexford

A man fishes in the River Slaney - relaxing in front of the Norman Tower House that once guarded it from bandits and pirates. Date: 12th of May, 2015.

Wexford Town Wall

A photograph of Wexford's medieval town wall. This is a shot of the wall tower that overlooks Abbey Street, next to the Arts Centre. This was built by the Normans after they occupied the town back in the 1100s.

Roman Lane, Wexford

This is a photograph of a alleyway that is believed to be called Roman Lane. Situated beside the Stores building in Wexford, this particular lane runs between North Main Street and the quay. The name of this lane is disputed. According to local historian Nicky Rossiter, this is actually Oaks' Lane.

Photograph taken in the direction of North Main Street:



Taken in the direction of Wexford Quay. The red sign is for Mooney's on the Quay. The gates on the right cordon off Mooney's beer garden:



So, if this isn't the real Roman Lane; where is it?

Nicky Rossiter has pinpointed the lane's location as being beside Shaws and The Party Bar (which used to be Levingston's). As you can imagine, many of these small streets have been lost to progress, as the buildings and streets around them were heavily altered over the centuries.

Enniscorthy Castle

A photograph of Enniscorthy Castle, which is a Norman stronghold that was originally constructed back in the 12th century. The castle was built by a family called the DePrendergasts and during the 1500s, it was leased by English poet Edmund Spenser, who is best known for his poem The Faerie Queene. The castle is situated on Castle Hill in Enniscorthy Town. Tours of the building are available. This shot was taken on a cold February afternoon in 2015.

Tower House at Johnstown Castle

A photograph of a Norman Tower House that is located inside the grounds of Johnstown Castle in Wexford. This was taken in October of 2014.

Ferrycarrig Castle

A night time photograph of Ferrycarrig Castle, which lies on the bank of the River Slaney in Wexford. Note that this is actually a Norman tower house that was built by the Roche family (not actually a castle). The remnants of the castle in Ferrycarrig can be found underneath the round tower on the opposite side of the river bank.

Photo taken in February of 2016:



Photo taken in October of 2014.



A day-time shot of the Norman tower house, which sits upon a mound / cliff:

Friary, Wexford

A photograph of the Friary Church on Wexford Town's Lower John Street. The Franciscan Friars arrived in Wexford back in the 1200s, while St. Francis of Assisi. was alive. This was taken on the 6th of December, 2014.

St. Patrick's Church, Wexford

A photograph of St. Patrick's Church, which is a medieval church / graveyard that is situated at the end of High Street in Wexford Town. This graveyard holds the headless body of 1798 rebel John Henry Colclough! Unfortunately, St. Patrick's Church is closed to the general public.

This photo was taken on the 3rd of Jan, 2015.

Westgate Tower, Wexford

A photograph of the Westgate Tower in Wexford Town. Historians believe that its real name is actually Selskar Gate and that Westgate was the name of a nearby gate that was demolished. This is located in the Selskar area of the town. Photo date: 29th Dec 2014.

Selskar Abbey at night (lights).

A photograph of Selskar Abbey at night. This was taken during the Wexford Winterland festival, when it was lit up for Selskar Under The Stars.



This photo was taken on the 13th of December, 2014.

Well Lane, Wexford

A photograph of Well Lane, which is a small street in the Selskar area of Wexford Town. In the distance, you can see Selskar Abbey, which is an old Christian monastery. On the right, you can see J.J. Kearney, which is a local undertaker.

Selskar Abbey

A great photograph of Selskar Abbey, by Wexford Photographer Pat Sheridan. Taken from Abbey Street.

Click the picture below to enlarge it.