Understand
Wexford began as a Viking town in the 10th century, when the "deep pool" in or around today's Crescent Quay provided a safe berthing place for longboats. The town of Veisafjörðr "Bay of the Mud Flats" was thus established. Following the Norman conquest in the late 12th century, a walled town was established. Over the ensuing centuries, Wexford became a successful port.However, during the 20th century, the silting up of Wexford Harbour made it almost unnavigable, restricting it nowadays to pleasure craft and a small fleet of fishing boats.
Over the years, Wexford has remained at the forefront of Irish history. Due to its position, it has been constantly targeted by invaders - the Vikings, the Normans and, most tragically, Oliver Cromwell, whose armies entered Wexford town in 1649, killing over half of its inhabitants. Wexford was also an important site for the failed rebellion of 1798, and in its aftermath, the heads of many rebellion leaders were displayed on Wexford Bridge. This important event has been immortalised in songs such as "the Boys of Wexford" and "Boolavogue" which most Wexford people learn in primary school.
Following an economically depressed period in the mid-Twentieth century, Wexford has now recovered and is a vibrant, forward-looking town. Its people are fiercely proud of where they come from, and the town exudes a certain joie de vivre that can be hard to find elsewhere in Ireland. Perhaps due to its maritime past, recurring waves of invaders or its anuual, world-famous opera Festival, Wexford is also one of the most cosmopolitan towns in Ireland. it is also one of the cleanest, having been declared "litter free" by a recent inspection from Irish Businesses Against Litter IBAL.
