Bannow, 11 m. S.W. of Wexford, may be visited along with Feathard and Clonmines. Here Strongbow landed, temp. Hen. II. Those fond of aquatic sports may visit the Saltees.
Clonmines, 10 m. S.W. of Wexford.—In his excursions on the banks of the romantic Barrow, the tourist will not omit to visit the ruins of the once very extensive Abbey, with its light, lofty pinnacled tower, ivied walls, and elegantly ramified western window, formed of red grit, but completely whitened by the moss which enwraps it. Some fine specimens of ornamental sculpture are to be found in the architecture of the western door and in the arches of the cloisters, also on a monument within the Ch.
Clonegall, 21 m. N. of Wexford, is a small village: but here the tourist may commence his examination of the river Slaney. Visit Newtonbarry, the seat of Col. Barry, deriving great animation from the picturesque effect of river scenery combined with modern improvement, and the majestic range of Mount Leinster.
Enniscorthy, 8 m. N.W. of Wexford, stands agreeably on the Slaney. Ancient Castle fitted up as military depÔt. Handsome bridge, six arches. Close to it is Vinegar Hill! A few miles to the E. is Courtown, remarkable for its evergreens, which grow to an immense size with a marine aspect. Near this also are the pleasing seats of Kyle and Bellevue, places of extraordinary beauty, and affirmed by Mr. Wakefield to be inferior to none in the British empire, abounding in magnificent scenery, richly planted, undulating and varied in their surfaces, and animated by the Slaney flowing between them, which often assumes all the grandeur of an expansive lake.
Fethard, 15 m. S.W. of Wexford.—Ancient Castle, once in ruins, lately altered and modernized. Principal tower is an elegant specimen of the ancient military architecture, with its crown and battlements supported by brackets or consoles, and fantastic embrasures from whence the enemy could be annoyed in the old system of defence. Visit Dunbrody Abbey, on the Barrow; ruins magnificent; fine sculpture in W. window. Several ruins of Castles and Danish raths. Duncannon Fort is a good specimen of modern fortification, though of early foundation, having been erected for the defence of the river against the threatened attacks of the Spanish Armada, in the reign of Elizabeth. It stands on the flat surface of a lofty rock which overlooks the bay forming the entrance of the river. See the Hook Tower. At a distance of about 3 m. from the fort stands one of the most noble religious ruins in the island, Tintern Abbey, in consequence of its first monks being brought from that abbey in Monmouthshire by the founder, William earl of Pembroke, whose piety was prompted to a vow during a threatened shipwreck.
Ferns, 13 m. N. of Wexford.—On an eminence in the town see the ruins of the ancient Castle, one of whose fine circular towers is almost entire, containing amongst other apartments a beautiful chapel, the groining of which springs from consoles in the wall, but the flooring is gone. Over it is an arched room with embrasures or loop-holes. See ruins of Abbey; elegant Episcopal Palace; modernized Cathedral, with ancient tomb of St. Meoloch. Camolin is the seat of Earl Mountnorris.
Gorey, 21 m. N.E. of Wexford, exhibits the effects of rebellion in the destruction of several elegant seats in its vicinity. Here were horrible scenes of massacre.
Ross, or New Ross, 15 m. W. of Wexford, stands amidst fine scenery on the Barrow, opposite to the junction of the Nore. Several ruins of religious houses, and an existing monastery. Elegant wooden bridge. Fine view from the hill. In the Ch. of St. Saviour, see a curious monument, of as early a date as the commencement of the 14th century, but falsely attributed by tradition to a lady of the name of Rose Macrae, who is called sister to Strongbow, an anachronism which confutes itself. The female figure lies on the monument, with the hair reticulated round the forehead; and on the breast is a solitaire, from which a curious ornament hangs pendant. Here was fought one of the bloodiest battles in the late rebellion. (See Hall's Tour, vol. i. 98, for many curious particulars.) Near it is Scullabogue, where near 200 protestants were burnt to ashes in a barn.
Wexford, 67 m. S. of Dublin, a very ancient town. Vestiges of walls. See elegant modern Ch.; Court-house; wooden Bridge 2100 feet long, where 97 protestants were butchered in the rebellion. Trade and manufacture considerable. Small obelisk, to the memory of Major Vallotton. See some ruins of the Ch. and Abbey of Selksar, or the Priory of St. Peter and St. Paul, supposed to have been founded by the Danes. The antiquary will not fail to visit the majestic ruins of the Ch. of St. Mary, of which Grose has given a good plate, representing it as small but of excellent workmanship; being remarkable for its elegant arches supported by round columns, the cases and capitals of which are of peculiar construction. The shafts of the pillars are of hewn stone; but the remainder of the ruin consists of plain walls and unornamented windows. Amongst the sepulchral monuments which remain, there is a tomb with some sculptures, and a female figure recumbent, but for whom it is unknown. The choir is entered by a circular arch, the others are Gothic. To enjoy a very fine prospect go to Ferry Carrick, where the stream becomes contracted between considerable rocks. Here the tourist ought to land, and ascend the rising ground on the west side of this narrow pass. An inland bay, which appears unexpectedly, and animates the scene in no common degree, then opens to the view. This noble expanse of water is bounded by steep banks, all cultivated, and in some places covered with timber. To the E. the distant mountains, which are softened into the purple of distance, add much to the effect of the surrounding scenery, which, indeed, abounds with uncommon beauties. Immediately beneath is seen a handsome wooden bridge, painted white, which makes a very pretty object in this natural picture, still further diversified by the ruins of an old Castle on an opposite rock; a situation that seems to bespeak a sense of taste, as well as a sense of danger in the steel-clad chieftain who once frowned within its sombre walls.
