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Sunday, October 16, 2005







Wexford (County) :


I INTRODUCTION Wexford (county), county in Leinster province, south-eastern Republic of Ireland, bounded on the north by Wicklow, on the east and south by St George's Channel, and on the west by Kilkenny and Carlow. Wexford has a land area of 2,353 sq km (908 sq mi).


II LAND AND RESOURCES The terrain is mostly level except in the Blackstairs Mountain range in the north-west where the highest point is Mount Leinster (796 m/2,610 ft). The county's coastline is low, irregular, and generally hazardous to navigation. Bannow Bay, Waterford harbour, and Wexford harbour are the chief inlets. There are many long, sandy beaches on the east coast, and the Hook Head peninsula on the south coast is a noted site for birdwatching, especially in winter. The Slaney is the principal river of the county.
Wexford is the leading agricultural county of the Republic of Ireland; approximately one-third of the land is under cultivation. Wexford is one of the sunniest and driest Irish counties, which assists the cultivation of oats and wheat; root vegetables are also grown; pigs, poultry, and dairy cattle are raised; slate and marble are quarried; and there are numerous fisheries. Other economic activities include the curing of bacon and ham, tanning, wool processing, brewing, and the manufacture of agricultural machinery. Tourism is also a major service industry—many visitors travel by ferry to Rosslare from Cherbourg or Le Havre in France, or Fishguard or Pembroke in Wales. There is an international opera festival held around October each year in the Wexford town.


III POPULATION AND TOWNS The county has an estimated population of 102,069 (1991). The county town is Wexford (1991 population: 9,544): other towns include New Ross (5,018), Enniscorthy (4,127), and Gorey (2,193).


IV HISTORY Wexford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and occupied by them for approximately 200 years until Wexford's capture by the Normans in 1169, but few traces of the Viking occupation remain. In contrast, there are many Norman artefacts, including part of the town's medieval wall. The village of Ferrycarrig is the home of the Irish National Heritage Park which has exhibits from all periods of Irish history.

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