Call us now to talk through your vacation options!
- USA & Canada Toll-Free
1877 298 7205 - UK FreeFone
0800 096 9438 - International
+353 69 77686
Viking Places to Visit in Wexford
Wexford’s location on the south east coast of Ireland between the two Viking strongholds of Dublin and Waterford meant that it was greatly influenced by the power struggles that played out between Irish and Viking Kings. Its beaches and natural harbour were a welcome haven to the Viking longboats and the tributary of the the Three Sister rivers allowed them to reach into the interior of the hotly contested lands in Leinster and Munster. Originally, thier visits meant plunder and rampage of the lucartive monasteries but over time when the Vikings had integrated more they managed to establish settlements from where they traded and farmed and were employed as allies and mercenaries by the local chieftains.
Diarmuid Mac Murrough founded St. Mary's Abbey here in 1158 and was buried here in 1171. He died just months after the arrival of Strongbow, whom he had invited to Ireland, heralded the Age of the Normans. These are the ruins that stand here today. Ferns Castle was built here by William Marshall, reputedly the greatest of Knights, in the 13th century.
It is here that a treaty was first signed between the Normans and the Gaelic in 1169 toward the end of the Viking Age. At this time the town was surrendered to Robert Fitzstephen, one of the early Cambro-Normans to come to Ireland hoping to gain lands and wealth. He was an ally of Mac Murrough, who awaited the arrival of Strongbow. Selskar Abbey was suppressed in the reign of Henry VIII, but not destroyed. Cromwell finally destroyed it in 1649. The present Abbey Church (Protestant) was built in 1818 on the east side of the ancient tower, and the ruins of the original Abbey Church are to the west.
For example, Begerin was formerly an island and now is reclaimed slobland. There was a monastery here built in the early 5th century by St Ibar. It is thought that some Vikings may have joined the monastery at Beg Erin.
In around 1170 the Normans began to arrive and upset the relative harmony, as they took control of the town of Wexford. There was a short battle after which the Hiberno-Norse withdrew within the walls leaving their ships unprotected. These were set on fire by the attackers - this may have been the origin of the Wexford Town crest, the three burning ships.
In 1171, the inhabitants of Wexford town imprisoned the Norman leader, Robert Fitzstephen on Beg Erin. The Benedictines built a church on the island in the thirteenth century, some remains of which can still be seen.
Call us now to talk through your vacation options!
- USA & Canada Toll-Free
1877 298 7205 - UK FreeFone
0800 096 9438 - International
+353 69 77686
Customer Testimonial
Thank you Stephanie! I have been meaning to write you a note and have been so crazy with work since we returned. The trip was unbelievable! We had a wonderful time and loved every minute of the trip.
Andrea Stevens, Plantation, Florida
Read more of what our customers have to say...