Situated on the Slaney, about twelve miles north-by-west of Wexford, in the Barony of Ballaghkeen, is the town of Enniscorthy. The origin of the name does not seem to admit of a satisfactory explanation. Some writers say that it was originally CorthÆ, and the capital of Ptolemy’s Coriandi. Hence the prophesy, “Enniscorthy was, Dublin is, and Drogheda will be.” Again Enis-scorteach, signifying “the stud-house pastorage,” has been mentioned as a possible explanation.

The castle is a massive square structure, flanked by three round towers. It is in good preservation. Two of the towers can still be ascended.

It is built of hard blue slate, dug on the spot, and the cases of the doors and windows are of grey grit stone.

It is believed that the manor of Enniscorthy was granted by Strongbow to Maurice de Prendergast, and that he commenced to erect the castle in 1199, it being finished by his son Philip in 1205 or 1206.

Again, it is stated to have passed to the De Prendergasts through the De Quincey family, and that it was originally erected by Raymond le Gros.

Between 1225 and 1228 it was walled in and entrenched by Gerald Prendergast, who died in 1251.

The Rochfords held it from 1252 to 1327 through Maurice Rochford marrying Matilda Prendergast.

The land had formerly been part of the MacMurroughs’ territory, and they regained it in 1328, although their claim was fiercely disputed by the Rochfords.

Donogh MacMorrough, King of Leinster, resided in the castle from 1368 to 1375, in which year he was slain near Carlow by Geoffrey Wall. Two years later Art MacMurrough, King of Leinster, recovered the castle, and held it until his death in 1418.

Donald Kavanagh, King of Leinster, lived in state in the castle from 1428 to 1476, and he it was who founded the Franciscan monastery close to the stronghold in 1460.

Murrough, King of Leinster, died in the castle in 1518.

In 1550 it passed to the Crown after Cahir MacArt Kavanagh relinquished the title “MacMurrough.”

Richard Kettyng complained in 1551 that the Council would not confirm the King’s letters, which granted him the castles of Ferns and Enniscorthy. He requested that they might be granted by patent.

The following year Enniscorthy was leased to Gabriel Blake.

In 1566 a ruined castle and the manor of “Innescortye” was leased to Nicholas Hearon, Esq., for twenty-one years, and the following year it was surrendered by his assignee, Thomas Stucley, Esq., who then received a lease of it.

It was sacked by Sir Edmund Butler in 1569, and remained uninhabited for thirteen years, though it was leased to Richard Synnot for twenty-one years in 1575, and in 1581 the great poet Edmund Spenser received it upon like condition.

“Lease (under commission, 15 July, XXII.) to Edmund Spenser, gent., of the site of the house of friars of Enescortie, with apputences; the manor of Enescortie, a ruinous castle, land, and a weir there, lands of Garrane, Killkenane, Loughwertie, Barrickcrowe, and Ballineparke, and the customs of boards, timber, laths, boats bearing victuals, lodgings during the fair, and things sold there, and fishings belonging to the manor, and all other appurtenances as well within the Morroes country as without. To hold for 21 years. Rent, £13-6-4. Maintaining one English horseman. Fine, 20s.”

It is stated that fear of the Kavanaghs prevented his coming into residence, for the year afterwards his lease was transferred to Sir Richard Sinnot, of Ballybrennan, and ratified by the Crown for a term of forty years.

In 1595 Queen Elizabeth granted the estate to Sir Henry Wallop, Treasurer of War, by letters patent.

He restored the castle, but his son preferred to reside in the more modern dwelling of the Franciscan monks, which was close to the fortress. He died here in 1624, and was succeeded by his son Robert.

Sir Henry’s grandson was one of the judges at the trial of Charles I., and after the Restoration he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he died in 1667. His great grandson was created Earl of Portsmouth in 1743.

The castle was in the hands of the Confederates in 1642.

In 1649 (whilst in the possession of Mr. Robert Wallop) the army of the Commonwealth laid siege to the stronghold. It was well manned and provisioned.

Close to its walls was the “fair house,” formerly the largest Franciscan monastery in Ireland, and then the residence of the Wallop family, who deserted it upon the approach of the army.

When the castle was summoned the garrison refused to surrender, but they shortly afterwards reconsidered their decision and left their great guns, arms, ammunition, and provisions in the hands of the victors.

Shortly afterwards the castle was, however, re-taken by a trick. Some Royalist supporters feasted the men of the garrison and sent women to them to sell whiskey. When they were helplessly drunk the Irish overpowered them and took possession of the castle.

The Governor, Captain Todd, and his wife, as well as the officers under him, were all put to death. Only four of the soldiers were spared, they having betrayed the fortress for the sum of £7.

As soon as Colonel Cooke, the Governor of Wexford, heard of the outrage he marched to Enniscorthy and took the castle by storm, killing every one of the Irish garrison.

The first Earl of Portsmouth repaired the building and leased it to Adam Colclough in 1745.

During the rebellion of 1798 it was used as a prison by the insurgents during the period that Enniscorthy remained in their hands.

They greatly defaced the place, but the Earl of Portsmouth restored it between 1806 and 1812, altering it to the requirements of a modern residence for his agent. After this period it had many tenants.

From 1852 to 1863 it was used as an estate office, and a printing press was also erected within the walls. It was from here that the Enniscorthy News was first issued.

It fell into a state of dilapidation about 1863, though in 1867 it was used as a temporary barracks for the extra police required in the town during the Fenian rising.

In 1898 it was sold to Mr. P. J. Roche of New Ross.