County Wexford
Loch Garman
- IrishLoch Garman
- ProvinceLeinster
- County townWexford
- Local governmentWexford County Council
- Area2,370 km²
- Population163,919 (2022)
- Highest pointMount Leinster, 794.4 m, shared with Carlow
Father Murphy
John Murphy was the curate of Boolavogue, trained in Seville, with references that praised his industry rather than his brilliance.
When the rising began at the end of May 1798, many United Irish leaders had just been arrested. Murphy filled the gap. He was prominent at Oulart Hill, at the taking of Enniscorthy and of Wexford town, and at Tubberneering. He was at Vinegar Hill on the twenty first of June, when the rebels were beaten.
He was captured near Tullow, flogged, and hanged in the town square on the second of July 1798.
The ballad says the Yeos at Tullow burnt his body upon the rack. The dictionary calls that line the poet's way of condensing an eventful day.
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Ferns Castle
Before the Normans came, Ferns was the base of Diarmait Mac Murchada, king of Leinster.
William Marshal built the castle about 1200. It was a square with large towers at the corners. Only half of it stands. The most complete tower has a round chapel, original fireplaces and a vaulted basement.
In the visitor centre is the Ferns Tapestry, fifteen metres long in twenty five panels, stitched by local people. The castle is closed until 2027.
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John Barry
Born at Ballysampson, in Tacumshane parish, the son of a small farmer. The family was evicted, moved to Rosslare, and the boy went to sea as a cabin boy.
By 1766 he was a ship's master in Philadelphia. When the revolution came, his ship became the first in the Continental navy, and in March 1776 he was commissioned a captain in it.
He commanded the Alliance, the most powerful ship it had, and trained the officers who fought the Barbary wars and the war of 1812. He is often called the father of the American navy.
He died in Philadelphia in 1803.
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