County Wexford (Irish: Contae Loch Garman) is a county in the southeast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. It is named after the main town, Wexford, which the Vikings called "Waesfjord." This name means "inlet (fjord) of the mud-flats" in the Old Norse language. Before the Normans arrived, the area was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, with its capital in the town of Ferns.

The county was created during the Norman period. It was formed in 1210 by King John during his visit to Ireland.

Pre-history

Evidence of early human habitation in County Wexford is found in many places. Ireland was inhabited after the last Ice Age ended, around 10,000–8000 BC. Some experts think the first people arrived in County Wexford between 5000 BC and 3000 BC, a time known as the Mesolithic period in Ireland. They may have arrived even earlier. Because County Wexford is near Britain and Europe, it may have been one of the first parts of Ireland settled by humans. Evidence from this time is limited, and more discoveries are needed through archaeology and research.

Portal tombs, also called Dolmens, have been found at Ballybrittas (on Bree Hill) and Newbawn. These structures date to the Neolithic period. Evidence from the Bronze Age is more common. For example, an early Bronze Age axehead was found at Bree, and a gold disc was discovered at Kilmuckridge. Cist burials, which also date to the Bronze Age, have been found in places like the Deeps, Enniscorthy, and Misterin. There are also many standing stones in the county, including one stone circle at Robinstown Great, which is classified as a four-poster monument.

Many raths, which are ancient earthworks, remain in rural parts of County Wexford. An ogham stone was discovered on the Hook Peninsula in the 19th century. Other ogham stones have also been found in the county. Before Christianity arrived, people in Ireland worshipped many gods, including the sun. Druidism lasted longer in Ireland than in Britain or Gaul because Ireland was never conquered by the Romans.

Classical references

In Ptolemy's map of Ireland from around AD 150, Carnsore Point is labeled as Hieron, meaning "the Sacred Cape." The river Barrow is called Birgos (or Birgus). Most of County Wexford is shown as being home to a tribe called the Brigantes, while a tribe named the Coriondi (or Koriondoi) is shown living in northern County Wexford.

Some experts think the town named Menapia (or Manapia) is the same as Wexford town. Others believe it is farther north along the east coast, near Wicklow town. A river called the Modonnu(s), whose mouth is near Menapia, is often thought to be the Slaney River. However, some believe it is the Avoca River. Many people think the Slaney is the Modonnu(s) because it is the only major river in the southeast. This idea works only if Hook Head is considered Hieron. Most experts agree that Menapia is not Wexford but is a town farther north along the coast. However, this is not certain.

The Roman historian Tacitus wrote in his Life of Agricola that the Brigantes tribe was the largest group in Britain during the mid-1st century AD, living mostly in northern England. However, the Brigantes in Ireland and Britain may or may not be related, as Celtic tribes often had similar names even if they were not connected.

Tacitus also wrote that by AD 82, many of Ireland's ports and harbors were known to merchants trading there. This likely means that Roman traders from Britain were using some ports in County Wexford during that time.

Gaelic tribes (or clans)

The Uí Cheinnselaig are thought to have come to southern Leinster (from the west, likely through the Pass of Gowran, from Ossory) in the 5th century. They first settled in County Carlow (their main home there was at Rathvilly) and later moved to establish a presence in County Wexford. Before their arrival, the Uí Bairrche were the dominant tribe in the area. By the mid-8th century, the Uí Cheinnselaig had made Ferns their main base.

The name Uí Cheinnselaig comes from Énna Cennsalach, a king of Leinster in the early 5th century. The tribe claimed to be his descendants. Énna Cennsalach said his ancestors included Cathair Mór, a king of all Ireland in the 2nd century AD. This connection seems likely based on historical records. Cathair Mór was also said to descend from Labhraidh Loingseach, another king of Ireland, but this part of the story is less clear because it mixes history with legend.

A well-known early king of the Uí Cheinnselaig was Brandub mac Echach. He defeated the High King of Ireland at the Battle of Dún Bolg in AD 598, stopping the Uí Néill from expanding into Leinster.

The Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, named after the ruling tribe, included several other groups such as the Beanntraige, Uí Dego, Sil mBrain, Uí Bairrche, Fotharta Mara, and the Síl Maíluidir. This list dates to around AD 900. The area covered by the kingdom was slightly larger than modern County Wexford.

Common Irish surnames with origins in the region include Kinsella, Cosgrave, Murphy, and Larkin.

Coming of Christianity

The county was among the first areas in Ireland to be converted to Christianity, beginning with Palladius, who came before Saint Patrick in the early 500s. A writer named Prosper of Aquitaine wrote in his record that Palladius was sent to the Irish people "believing in Christ" as their first bishop in the year 431. This shows that some people in Ireland were already Christians before Palladius arrived. Ibar and Kierán are often named as possible people who may have been earlier than Palladius.

Early churches and monasteries were built in places such as Begerin (once an island in Wexford Harbour before land was added), Taghmon, Adamstown, Camross, Ardlathran, Ferns, Templeshanbo, New Ross, Clonmore, Templeshannon, Donaghmore, St. Kearns, and the Hook Peninsula. Early missionaries included Ibar, Aidan (also called Maodhóg or Mogue), Fintan (also called Munna or Munnu), Senan, Abban, Evin, Kierán, and Dubhan.

Aidan (Maodhóg or Mogue) became the first bishop of the Diocese of Ferns. The Diocese of Ferns was created in the year 598, the same year Aidan was made bishop. He died in the year 632.

The boundaries of the Diocese of Ferns were decided during the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1118. At that time, the diocese’s area matched the land of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnsealaig as it existed then. Grattan Flood, in his book History of the Diocese of Ferns, wrote that at Rathbreasail, the diocese was described as "from Begerin to Mileadhach, on the west of the Barrow; and from Sliabh Uidhe Laighean south to the sea."

Vikings

From 819 onward, the Vikings attacked many Christian places in the county. Wexford town became a Viking settlement.

The first known Viking attack in County Wexford happened in 819. They raided Begerin and Camhain's Oak Island (Dairinis Caemhain) in Wexford Harbour. In 835, they attacked Ferns. In 839, they burned Ferns.

By at least 888, the Vikings had created a settlement near Wexford. That year, they fought a battle and were defeated.

In 917, the Vikings attacked Ferns and Taghmon. In 919, they burned Ferns again. In 919, "the foreigners of Loch Garman" were mentioned again. They were also mentioned in 1088.

Before the Vikings arrived, there was a settlement named Loch Garman in Wexford town. The Vikings' new settlement was at first separate from it. At first, it was a temporary camp called a Longphort. Over time, it became more permanent and was named Waesfjord. Eventually, the two settlements joined together. The name Waesfjord became Wexford, and the town was named after it. Many places in the county have Norse names, such as Saltee Islands and Selskar.

Arrival of the Normans

In 1169, the Normans invaded Wexford at the request of Diarmuid Mac Murrough, who was the King of Uí Cheinnsealaig and King of Leinster (Laigin). This invasion led to the Anglo-Normans settling in the area.

Three years earlier, in 1166, Áed Ua Crimthainn wrote in the Book of Leinster about Diarmuid’s exile. He noted that Diarmuid sought help from abroad, especially in Wales. In 1169, Normans led by Robert Fitz-Stephen arrived near Bannow in three ships (now known as Bannow Island, which has since connected to the mainland due to silt buildup).

Diarmuid had returned to Ireland before this, possibly as early as August 1167, with a small group that included Richard FitzGodebert, knights, and archers. In 1170, another group led by Raymond le Gros landed at Baginbun (then called Dún Domhnaill). Diarmuid died in 1171 and was buried at Ferns. His kingdom, which he had regained, was passed to Strongbow (Richard de Clare), contrary to Irish traditions. Strongbow had married Aoife (or Eva), Diarmuid’s daughter, in 1170. After submitting to the King, Strongbow divided the lands among his followers based on rules for land distribution.

A list from 1247 includes names of new landowners, such as de Heddon (Hayden), Howel, de London, de Bosco, Chever (Cheevers), Brun (Browne), Ketting (Keating), Purcell, de Wythay (Whitty), Cod (Codd), de Prendelgast (Prendergast), and de Rupe (Roche). Other names from 1324 include Deverous (Devereux), le Poeur (Power), Synod (Synott or Sinnott), Hey (Hay or Hayes), and FitzHenry. Many of these names are still common in County Wexford today. Other prominent Norman names in the area include Furlong, Sutton, and Lambert.

Wexford, especially the baronies of Bargy and Forth, had one of the largest numbers of medieval English settlements in Ireland. This area was once called the "Wexford Pale." A unique old dialect of English, called Yola, was spoken in Wexford until the 19th century. The northern part of the county remained Gaelic Irish, mainly controlled by the MacMurrough Kavanagh clan.

During the Norman period, important towns existed at Bannow and Clonmines. Over time, these towns lost their importance. Bannow, a Norman town (sometimes mistakenly believed to have been lost to the sea), was gradually abandoned because Bannow Bay filled with silt. A church from the early Norman period can still be seen there today.

Templars suppressed and the Black Death

In 1307, the Knights Templar were banned. In County Wexford, the Knights had a base on the Hook Peninsula. Their home there, called Kilcloggan, and the land around it, which had been given to them during the time of Henry II, were taken away. A few years later, in 1312, these lands were given to the Knights Hospitaller, who already had a manor in the county, maybe at Ballyhoge. The Knights Hospitaller were brought to the county by Strongbow around 1175. Pope Innocent III gave the church of "St. Mary of Slefculture" to the Knights Hospitaller in 1212 (this church was near Slievcoiltia). On the same date, the Pope also gave several other churches in the county, including many in Wexford town, to the Knights Hospitaller. A family from County Wexford with Norman roots, who had close connections to the Knights Hospitaller during their time in the county and in Ireland, was the Keatings.

The Black Death hit Ireland between 1348 and 1349. One of the most detailed descriptions of the plague was written by Friar John Clyn at Kilkenny. He believed that all people might die. He wrote that during September and October of 1348, many people from across Ireland, including likely some from County Wexford, traveled to St. Mullins, County Carlow, to seek protection from the disease, which was widespread at the time. He noted that it was rare for only one person in a family to die, but often the entire family died. Friar John Clyn is believed to have died from the plague in 1349.

Gaelic resurgence

In the 14th century, the native Irish began to take back some of their old lands, especially in the northern part of the county. This mainly happened because of Art MacMurrough Kavanagh, who became King of Leinster in 1377. King Richard II led two military campaigns against him. Art MacMurrough Kavanagh claimed to be descended from Diarmuid Mac Murrough, who died in 1171, through an illegitimate son named Domhnall. Domhnall was said to have studied at a monastery dedicated to St. Caomhan, near Gorey. This is why the name "Cavanagh" or "Kavanagh" became associated with Domhnall and was later used by many of his descendants. The main branch of the MacMurrough Kavanagh family later lived at Borris House in Borris, County Carlow.

The Annals of the Four Masters record two different dates and details about Art's death. Either entry could be correct. They state he died in either 1416 or 1417. Most authors say he died in 1417 at New Ross. He was buried at St. Mullins, County Carlow. His tombstone there mentions the year 1417, but it was built long after his death. The Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Loch Cé also say he died in 1417. However, neither of these sources mentions New Ross. Their details match the 1416 entry in the Annals of the Four Masters, differing only in the year.

16th century

During the time of King Henry VIII, important religious houses in England were dissolved between 1536 and 1541. All their land and property were taken away by the king and given to new owners. In County Wexford, the following religious houses were among those dissolved:

• Tintern Abbey – a Cistercian religious community. Its land and property were given to Anthony Colclough in the middle of the 16th century.
• Dunbrody Abbey – another Cistercian religious community. Its land and property were given to "Osborne Itchingham" (Echingham) in 1545. Later, in the middle of the 17th century, the property passed to Arthur Chichester through marriage.
• The Augustinian Priory of Clonmines. In 1546, silver mines at Clonmines were reopened and used by the government. The small amount of land owned by the priory was divided and passed to different owners over time.
• The Knights Hospitaller’s manor of Kilcloggan – was given to Dudley Loftus (son of Adam Loftus) near the end of the 16th century.
• Glascarrig Priory.
• Selskar Abbey.

In the Calendar of Carew Manuscripts, there is a description of County Wexford from 1596, as follows:

17th-century wars and confiscations

In 1612–13, a group of English settlers was sent to live in an area east of the River Slaney in County Wexford. The land was given in small sections across the region, with each person receiving about 1,000 acres on average (some received more). Some of the settlers who were given land included Francis Annesley, Francis Blundell, Richard Cooke, Lawrence Esmond, Edward Fisher, Adam Loftus, Henry Pierse, and George Trevelyan. This list is not complete.

On 23 October 1641, a major rebellion began in Ireland. In 1649, Oliver Cromwell and his English Parliamentarian Army arrived in County Wexford to fight the rebels. By late September 1649, the towns of Ferns and Enniscorthy had been captured by Cromwell’s forces. On 11 October 1649, Wexford town was attacked, and many civilians were killed. Cromwell was blamed for this attack by people in County Wexford and across Ireland. Different sources report different numbers of people killed.

New Ross surrendered to Cromwell on 19 October 1649, under the leadership of Lucas Taffe. Taffe and most of his military group were allowed to leave as part of the surrender agreement. Taffe wrote to Cromwell, asking for freedom to practice his religion. Cromwell responded with a message that showed his strict views on this matter:

— Oliver Cromwell, 19 October 1649, "Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches", p. 395.

After capturing New Ross, Cromwell controlled most of County Wexford, except for the Fort of Duncannon, which held out until August 1650 before surrendering.

In about 1655, maps of County Wexford were made as part of the Down Survey. Earlier, between 1654 and 1656, the Civil Survey was conducted, which recorded land ownership from 1640–41. These surveys helped the English take land from Irish and Anglo-Norman owners and give it to Cromwell’s soldiers as payment for their service. In other areas, land was given to people called "Adventurers," but in Wexford, most land went to soldiers. People who lived west of the Shannon and left Ireland were allowed to return to their homes as tenants for their new landlords. However, many soldiers sold their land quickly. After Cromwell died in 1658, some land grants were canceled, and a few original landowners were allowed to return under King Charles II. Others who supported Charles II also received land. These events are recorded in the Books of Survey and Distribution. More land was taken from supporters of James II after he was defeated near the end of the 17th century. James II left Ireland from Duncannon, in the southwest of the county, after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne.

In the late 1600s, magpies were first seen in Ireland in County Wexford around 1676. Robert Leigh, who lived near Clongeen, wrote in 1684:

Wolves were common in Ireland during Cromwell’s time. However, the government offered rewards for killing wolves, which led to their numbers dropping rapidly. Wolves became very rare within 50 years and were no longer found in Ireland by the end of the 18th century. Reliable evidence shows wolves disappeared from County Wexford in the 1730s. The last wolf in Ireland was killed near Mount Leinster in County Carlow in 1786.

The Penal Laws and the 18th century

In 1695, the Penal Laws were officially introduced in Ireland. These laws mainly treated Catholics unfairly and were not made less strict until the late 1700s.

In late 1709, several Protestant families from the Palatinate region of Germany were given land to live on by Abel Ram of Gorey, a large landowner, in Old Ross and Gorey. Some of these families had names like Fissel, Hornick, Jekyll, Poole, and Rhinehardt. They traveled through Rotterdam to London and arrived in Dublin on September 10, 1709. Other groups of these families were settled in County Limerick and other parts of Ireland. These people are known as the Palatines.

In 1752, Richard Pococke traveled through parts of County Wexford and wrote about his journey.

In the early 1770s, a group called the Whiteboys was briefly active in north-west County Wexford. They are said to have had little effect on the rest of the county. According to George Taylor, the Whiteboys first appeared in County Wexford in 1774 but were quickly stopped. Two leaders, Owen Carroll and John Daggan, were found guilty of a serious crime and executed near Newtownbarry on September 28, 1775. The Whiteboys were upset about having to pay Tithes, a tax to support the Protestant Established Church.

In 1777, there were only three post offices in the county: Gorey, Enniscorthy, and Wexford. The Royal Mail from Dublin entered the county only two days a week and returned the next day.

In 1778, the Colclough family created the first Volunteer Company in Ireland at Enniscorthy.

Arthur Young traveled across Ireland during this time. His book, A Tour in Ireland, 1776–1779, includes many details about County Wexford, which he visited during that period.

In 1793, a serious event happened near Wexford town. A large group of people who had recently joined a secret group called the Right Boys from the north-west and west of County Wexford tried to free two prisoners. On July 11, 1793, they approached the town with guns, pikes, and scythes. They had captured a man named Lieutenant Buckby earlier. The military, the 56th Regiment led by Major Vallotton, was sent to meet them. A meeting was planned, and Vallotton stepped forward, while the Right Boys sent John Moore of Robinstown as their leader. For some reason, Vallotton struck Moore with his sword, seriously wounding him. Moore then wounded Vallotton in the groin with a scythe. Vallotton died a few days later. The soldiers opened fire, and the group scattered. Eleven protestors were killed immediately, and many more died later from their injuries, possibly around 90 in total. Some were killed by local militia under James Boyd’s command. Lieutenant Buckby escaped. Moore died that day and was buried at Carnagh. He was 22 years old. Many of the Right Boys were arrested, and five of them—James Kenney, Patrick Flannery, Patrick Neil, Michael Carty, and John Crawford—were found guilty and executed on July 26, 1793. A monument was built in Wexford town to remember Vallotton. This event is sometimes called the "First Rebellion" (with the 1798 uprising being the second).

The Irish language was still spoken in much of County Wexford until the end of the 1700s, when it began to decline in areas where it was used. At the same time, Yola, spoken in the baronies of Forth and Bargy, also started to decline. By 1850, only 800 people in the county still spoke Irish, and Yola had completely disappeared, with English becoming the dominant language.

The 1798 Rebellion

County Wexford experienced the most intense battles of the 1798 rebellion, with major fights at Enniscorthy and New Ross. Many memorials from 1798 are found all over the county. The famous ballad Boolavogue was written to honor the Wexford Rising. The French Revolution had a major impact on many rebels, many of whom were also United Irishmen. A common weapon used by the Wexford rebels was the pike, made by local blacksmiths. A hook was often added to the pike to cut a horse’s reins. The spearhead, made of iron or steel, was attached to a long wooden shaft made of ash. Before the rebellion, blacksmiths were often targeted as suspected United Irishmen. A type of torture called pitchcapping was widely used by government forces, including the militia and yeomanry, to get information.

The rebellion in Wexford began on the evening of 26 May 1798. That night and the morning of 27 May 1798, several events occurred, starting just north of Scarawalsh Bridge on the River Slaney. The countryside around Ferns and Camolin was central to the early outbreak. Fires were lit on nearby hills, such as Carrigrew Hill, to signal that the rebellion had started. A Catholic priest named John Murphy became an important rebel leader during this time.

The rebels won the Battle of Oulart Hill on 27 May 1798 and captured Enniscorthy the next day. They set up a main camp at Vinegar Hill, near the town, where thousands joined the rebellion. On 30 May 1798, rebels defeated a British force at the Battle of Three Rocks. Government forces in Wexford panicked and fled toward Duncannon Fort. Rebels entered the town in triumph, and most of the county was under their control.

An attempt to spread the rebellion into Carlow failed on 1 June 1798 at Bunclody (or Newtownbarry). However, on 4 June 1798, rebels repelled a British counterattack at the Battle of Tubberneering and captured Gorey.

On 5 June 1798, rebels fought for ten hours at the Battle of New Ross but failed to take the town. There was heavy loss of life, and blood ran through the streets. Later that day, about 120 loyalist prisoners were killed at Scullabogue, near the rebel camp on Carrigbyrne Hill.

On 9 June 1798, Wexford rebels, joined by rebels from County Wicklow, were defeated at the Battle of Arklow, County Wicklow. On 20 June 1798, about 120 loyalists were killed on Wexford Bridge. Also on 20 June, rebels were defeated at the Battle of Foulksmills (or Goff’s Bridge). At this point, government forces were closing in on rebels from all sides.

The United Irishmen were defeated at the Battle of Vinegar Hill on 21 June 1798. This was the last major battle in County Wexford. However, on 30 June 1798, a group of government forces was ambushed and defeated at Ballyellis, near the border with County Wicklow. About 60 government soldiers were killed, including 25 from the Ancient Britons. No rebel casualties were reported. This event became known as the Battle of Ballyellis.

On the morning of 5 July 1798, rebels fought for two hours against the army (led by James Duff) at the Battle of Ballygullen (near Craanford), where many rebels were killed or wounded. This was the last major battle in Wexford. Surviving rebels tried to spread the rebellion toward Ulster and Munster but were defeated on 14 July. Some groups stayed in Wexford and continued fighting in small groups, with the last group led by James Corcoran surviving until their destruction in February 1804. Others, like Miles Byrne, continued fighting in different ways. After the failed rebellion led by Robert Emmet in 1803, in which Byrne was involved, he escaped to France. There, he joined the French Army and fought against the British in later battles.

19th century

In 1803, Edward Hay from Ballinkeele wrote one of the first descriptions of the 1798 Rebellion, along with a detailed map of the county.

In 1807, a famous duel happened at Ardcandrisk between John Colclough and William Alcock. The main reason was an upcoming election, as they were opposing candidates. Colclough was killed, and many people attended his funeral at Tintern Abbey. This was partly because the Colclough family was widely liked and known as liberal landlords. Colclough was also seen as the people’s candidate. The Colclough family had been given the former Abbey (part of which they used as a home) and its lands in the mid-16th century.

In 1811, Valentine Gill published a map of the county. He released another version in 1816. Valentine was the brother of John Gill, who was killed on Vinegar Hill during the 1798 Rebellion.

Edward Hay from Ballinkeele died in Dublin in 1826.

Many areas of the county were heavily involved in the Tithe War (1831–36). This is shown by the many people from different parts of the county listed in records of those who refused to pay tithes, called the Tithe Defaulter Schedules. County Wexford was not as badly affected as some other areas by the Famine in the 1840s, but the Famine still had a major impact on the county.

Nicholas Furlong, describing the effects of the Famine, wrote, "In 1841, the population of County Wexford was 202,033. In 1851, it was 180,158, a decrease of 21,875. The population continued to decline for the rest of the century."

Griffiths’ Valuation for County Wexford was published in 1853. It now serves as an important replacement for census records, as most 19th-century census returns have been destroyed.

Newspapers became common in this century. For example, the Wexford People began around 1853.

In 1859, the Pomona, an emigrant ship, sank near the Wexford coast, and all 400 people on board died.

In the mid-19th century, many towns in the county received gas lighting for the first time. For example, Enniscorthy got gas lighting around the 1850s and 1860s. The 19th century also brought railways to the county.

The Bridge at New Ross over the River Barrow was destroyed by a flood and a large flow of ice in 1867.

Later in the 19th century, the Land War had a widespread effect on the county. A large number of tenants were famously evicted at Coolgreany in 1887.

20th century to present

The first complete Census of Population for County Wexford was recorded in 1901.

In the early 1900s, many people from County Wexford moved to the United States. Most traveled from Cobh (then called Queenstown), County Cork, by ship to Ellis Island in New York. Some stayed in the US, while others returned to Ireland later.

In 1916, a small rebellion happened in Enniscorthy at the same time as the rebellion in Dublin. On Thursday, 27 April 1916, about 600 armed rebels took control of Enniscorthy. The government sent over 1,000 soldiers to retake the town. On Monday, 1 May 1916, the rebels surrendered without fighting. There were no deaths and little damage to buildings. Some leaders were sentenced to death, but their sentences were later changed. Furlong and Hayes wrote, "270 people were arrested, and 150 were sent to Frongoch internment camp in north Wales." Frongoch internment camp was located three miles from Bala in Merionethshire, North Wales.

Michael O'Hanrahan of New Ross, who played an important role in the Easter Rising in Dublin, was executed on 4 May 1916 in Dublin.

During World War I, at least 504 men from County Wexford who joined the British Army died fighting on land. German submarines, called U-boats, were very active near Wexford’s southern coast. Zeppelins, large airships, were stationed at Johnstown Castle to help fight the U-boat threat. The first US Naval Aviation Forces to arrive were eight men, including Radio Officer Charles A (Gunner) Rogers, on 25 February 1918. The US Naval Air Station Wexford received Curtiss H-16 seaplanes on 18 September 1918. One famous U-boat that operated near Wexford was U-20, commanded by Walther Schwieger. On 6 May 1915, U-20 sank two ships, SS Centurion and SS Candidate, off the south Wexford coast, but no one on the ships was hurt. The next day, the same U-boat sank RMS Lusitania, a large passenger ship, near the coast of County Cork. The main shipping route between Britain and America passed through Wexford’s coastal waters. Britain relied heavily on this route for supplies. Many ships were sunk near Wexford during the war. The area around Tuskar Rock became known as "The Graveyard" because of the many Allied ships that sank there. Some German U-boats were also sunk near Wexford. One was UC-44, which was destroyed off the Hook Peninsula on 4 August 1917 by a mine. The only survivor was the U-boat’s commander. The other 28 crew members died.

John Redmond, leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, died in London on 6 March 1918. He was buried in the Redmond family vault at St John’s Graveyard, John Street, Wexford, later that same month. At the 1918 General Election, County Wexford elected two Sinn Féin candidates, James Ryan and Roger Sweetman, who replaced the Redmondites who had previously held the seats, Peter Ffrench and Thomas Esmonde. However, Sinn Féin refused to take their seats in the British Parliament. Instead, they created their own government, called Dáil Éireann, in Dublin. Dáil Éireann first met on 21 January 1919. Only members of Sinn Féin attended. The Dáil set up a Department of Defence, represented by the Irish Republican Army (I.R.A.). Michael Collins and Cathal Brugha were the main leaders of the I.R.A. World War I ended on 11 November 1918 with the signing of an armistice. However, peace in Europe did not bring calm to County Wexford or Ireland. On the same day that the First Dáil met, the Irish War of Independence began.

The Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) was a guerrilla war fought by the I.R.A. to end British rule in Ireland and create an independent Irish state. In County Wexford, the I.R.A. attacked many Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.) barracks, some of which were abandoned by the R.I.C. Post offices and railways were also attacked. A group called the Black and Tans was sent to Ireland by the British to deal with the conflict. The Black and Tans became very unpopular because of how they treated people. Many were imprisoned. One of the most well-known deaths in County Wexford during the war was that of Percival Lea-Wilson, a District Inspector in the R.I.C. stationed at Gorey. He was shot dead by the I.R.A. outside his home in Gorey on 15 June 1920. The most casualties in County Wexford occurred on 12 October 1920, when 5 people were killed and 9 others injured when explosives being prepared by the I.R.A. accidentally exploded in an old, empty house at St. Kearns, Saltmills. On 4 January 1921, County Wexford was placed under Martial Law. The Irish War of Independence ended on 11 July 1921 when both sides agreed to a truce. The conflict had reached a stalemate.

Michael Collins visited Wexford town on 8–9 April 1922. During a speech in Wexford, Collins said:

On 28 June 1922, the Irish Civil War (1922–1923) began. The Civil War in County Wexford was more violent than the War of Independence, with more deaths on both sides. It was also a guerrilla war. After the Treaty was signed, the I.R.A. in County Wexford was divided. The North Wexford and South Wicklow Brigade of the I.R.A., led by Joseph Cummins, supported the Treaty, but the South Wexford Brigade, led by others, did not. The I.R.A. attacked many places, including railway lines and buildings. The Civil War ended in 1923.

After the war, political groups like the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and others began to influence Irish politics.

Ireland