Enniscorthy is the second-largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. At the 2016 census, the population of the town and environs was 11,381. The town is located on the picturesque River Slaney and in close proximity to the Blackstairs Mountains and Ireland’s longest beach, Curracloe. The town is twinned with Gimont, France. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town’s name. It may refer either to the “Island of Corthaidh” or the “Island of Rocks”. The cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns is located in the town as well as an array of other historical sites such as Enniscorthy Castle and the key battle site of the 1798 Rebellion.
Amenities
Enniscorthy is situated by the River Slaney, and has riverside walks beside it to the north and to the south, on the west bank. Further walking trails are available nearby such Vinegar Hill, Ringwood Forest, Borodale Forest and Oulart Hill.
There is a swimming pool/recreation centre, several sports grounds including a rugby club, soccer clubs, GAA clubs and several hotels including the four-star Riverside Park Hotel and Leisure Club. Outside of the town, there is an 18-hole golf course, several pitch and putts, freshwater fishing, and a five-star spa, Monart Spa Hotel, is beside “The Still Pond”.
The town is also a base for adventure activity such as kayaking on the River Slaney, mountain biking on Bree Hill or hiking in the Blackstairs Mountains.
The town has a number of historical sites and museums as well as an Arts Centre and Theatre Groups.
It is the cathedral town of the Diocese of Ferns and has two Catholic churches spread over two parishes — St. Aidan’s and St Senan’s, under the shadow of Vinegar Hill. The town also has a Church of Ireland, a joint Methodist/Presbyterian church, a non-denominational Christian Alive Church, a Society of Friends meeting hall, and a Masonic Lodge.
Events
Enniscorthy Arts Trail
Established in 2018, Enniscorthy Arts Trail is an artist led initiative that sees vacant buildings in Enniscorthy town transformed and offered to visual artists as gallery spaces, workshop hubs, and cultural centres during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Enniscorthy Arts Trail also offers a number of tours and arts performances, hosted by St. Mary’s Church and The Presentation Centre.
Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food Festival
The Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food Festival has been an annual August Bank Holiday event in Enniscorthy since 2016. It primarily involves free outdoor 1950s/Rockabilly themed gigs, a trail of food and craft marquees, an artisan food market, and events and classes for adults and children. There are also food and drink workshops that run alongside the festival in local cafés and restaurants. Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food Festival was born from the amalgamation of a number of smaller community festivals taking place in Enniscorthy. It was decided by a committee that there was demand for one larger festival combining all elements of the smaller community festivals.
The Blackstairs Blues festival is also an annual event and includes international and local performers, in a variety of late-night concerts and workshops. Another music event, the Enniscorthy Street Rhythms and Dance Festival, takes place during two weekends in August and includes a parade, fireworks, a concert, and dance workshops. The Strawberry Fair, which is an annual event and takes place in the last week of June.
Education
Enniscorthy has four second-level schools: Coláiste Bríde, St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy Vocational School and Meánscoil Gharman and four primary schools – St. Aidan’s, St. Mary’s, St. Senan’s and Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh. The town is also host to a range of high quality childcare options.
Arts and entertainment
The town’s main visual arts and entertainment venue, the Presentation Arts Centre, is situated on the site of a former convent. Officially opened in 2012, it is a fully accessible multi-use arts venue which is developed and promoted by the Wexford Arts Centre and Wexford County Council. The Presentation Arts Centre’s theatre space retains most of the features of the original 19th century convent church, including original stained glass windows, ornate timber ceiling, original wishbone floor, and several decorative arches. The Presentation Arts Centre hosts numerous exhibitions per year, with particular emphasis on supporting and promoting emerging artists.
Enniscorthy is the home of the Wexford Carol, a Christmas song dating back to the 16th century or possibly much earlier.
In literature, Enniscorthy is mentioned in the Ithaca chapter of James Joyce‘s Ulysses (p. 812) as a flyleaf note in a book belonging to Leopold Bloom, where it is described as “Ennifcorthy, County Wexford, the finest place in the world” (sic).
Enniscorthy is also the home of Eilis Lacey, the central character of the novel Brooklyn and its film adaptation. In the story, which is set in the early 1950s, Eilis travels alone from Enniscorthy to Brooklyn because of the lack of opportunities for her at home. Enniscorthy is credited as one of the filming locations for the movie.
