County Wexford, also known as Contae Loch Garman in Irish, is located in the southeast of Ireland in the province of Leinster. The county's name comes from its main town, Wexford, which the Vikings called "Waesfjord." This name means "inlet (fjord) of the mud-flats" in the Old Norse language. Before the Norman period, the area was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, and its capital was in Ferns.

The county was established during the Norman period. In 1210, King John created the county during his visit to Ireland.

Pre-history

Evidence of early human life in County Wexford is found in many places. Ireland was first inhabited after the last Ice Age ended, around 10,000–8000 BC. Some experts believe the first people arrived in County Wexford between 5000 BC and 3000 BC, during a time called the Mesolithic period. This may have happened even earlier. Because County Wexford is close to Britain and Europe, it might have been one of the first areas in Ireland to be settled. However, evidence from this time is limited, and more discoveries are needed through archaeology and study.

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

The remains of many raths, which are ancient hill forts, are found across rural County Wexford. An ogham stone, a type of carved stone with ancient writing, was discovered on the Hook Peninsula in the 19th century. Other ogham stones have also been found in the county. Before the arrival of Christianity, people in Ireland worshipped many gods, including the sun. Druidism, a religious tradition, lasted longer in Ireland than in Britain or Gaul because the Romans never conquered Ireland.

Classical references

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

Some experts believe the town named Menapia (or Manapia) refers to Wexford town, while others think it is located farther north along the east coast, near Wicklow town. A river called Modonnu(s), whose mouth is near Menapia, is sometimes linked to the Slaney River. Others suggest it is the Avoca River. Many people believe the Slaney is the Modonnu(s) because it is the only major river in the southeast, which would place Menapia near Wexford town. However, this idea only works if Hook Head is considered Hieron. Most experts agree Menapia is not Wexford town but is a town farther north along the coast. This is not certain, though.

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

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

Gaelic tribes (or clans)

The Uí Cheinnselaig may have arrived in southern Leinster from the west, likely through the Pass of Gowran from Ossory, around the 5th century. They first settled in County Carlow, where their main base 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 region. By the mid-8th century, the Uí Cheinnselaig had moved their main base to Ferns.

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 also claimed to be descended from Cathair Mór, a High King of Ireland in the 2nd century AD. This connection seems likely. Cathair Mór was said to be descended from Labhraidh Loingseach, who some sources claim was an earlier High King of Ireland. However, this connection is less certain because it blends historical facts with legends.

A well-known early king of the Uí Cheinnselaig was Brandub mac Echach. He won a battle against the High King of Ireland at Dún Bolg in AD 598, stopping the expansion of the Uí Néill into Leinster.

The Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, named after the ruling tribe, included several tribes 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 of the kingdom was slightly larger than modern County Wexford.

Common Irish surnames that originated in the region include Kinsella, Cosgrave, Murphy, and Larkin.

Coming of Christianity

The county was one of the first areas in Ireland to become Christian. This happened in the early 500s AD, when Palladius, who came before Saint Patrick, helped spread Christianity. Prosper of Aquitaine wrote in his Chronicle that Palladius was sent to the Irish people who already believed in Christ as their first bishop in 431 AD. This shows that some people in Ireland were already Christian before Palladius arrived. Ibar and Kierán are sometimes mentioned as possible people who may have been earlier than Palladius.

Early churches and monasteries were built in places such as Begerin (a former 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 598 AD, the same year Aidan was made a bishop. He died in 632 AD.

The boundaries of the Diocese of Ferns were decided at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1118. At that time, the diocese covered an area similar to the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnsealaig. Grattan Flood, in his book History of the Diocese of Ferns, wrote that at the Synod of 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

Starting in 819, the Vikings attacked many Christian places in the county. Wexford town became a Viking settlement. The first recorded Viking attack in County Wexford happened in 819, when the Vikings raided Begerin and Camhain's Oak Island (Dairinis Caemhain) in Wexford Harbour. In 835, the Vikings attacked Ferns. In 839, they burned Ferns.

By 888, the Vikings had built a settlement in 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, and this name was also recorded in 1088.

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

Arrival of the Normans

In 1169, 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.

In 1166, Áed Ua Crimthainn wrote in the Book of Leinster about Diarmuid’s (or Diarmait’s) expulsion. Diarmuid sought help from abroad, especially from Wales. In 1169, Normans led by Robert Fitz-Stephen arrived near Bannow in three ships (at Bannow Island, which is now connected to the mainland by silting).

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), even though this went against Irish customs. Strongbow had married Aoife (or Eva), Diarmuid’s daughter, in 1170. After submitting to the king, Strongbow divided the land among his followers according to feudal law.

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). This is not the full list. In 1324, names like Deverous (Devereux), le Poeur (Power), Synod (Synott or Sinnott), Hey (Hay or Hayes), and FitzHenry also appear, along with many others. Most of these names are still common in County Wexford today. Furlong, Sutton, and Lambert are also prominent Norman names in the area.

Wexford, especially the baronies of Bargy and Forth, had many medieval English settlements. This area was known as the "Wexford Pale." A unique 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. However, these towns became less important over time. Bannow, a Norman town, was gradually abandoned because Bannow Bay filled with sand and mud. An early Norman church still stands there today. Some people mistakenly believe Bannow was reclaimed by the sea.

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 base, called Kilcloggan, and the land around it, which had been given to them during the time of King 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, possibly at Ballyhoge. The Knights Hospitaller were brought to the county by Strongbow around 1175. In 1212, Pope Innocent III gave the Knights Hospitaller the right to own the church of "St. Mary of Slefculture" (near Slievcoiltia). On the same date, Pope Innocent III also gave them the right to own several other churches in the county, including many in Wexford town. A family from County Wexford, of Norman background, was closely connected to the Knights Hospitaller during their time in the county and in Ireland. This family was the Keatings.

The Black Death hit Ireland hard between 1348 and 1349. One of the most detailed descriptions of the plague was written by Friar John Clyn in Kilkenny. He believed that all people might die. He wrote that in September and October of 1348, many people from across Ireland, including likely people from County Wexford, traveled to St. Mullins in County Carlow to seek protection from the disease, which was very common at the time. He noted that it was unusual for only one person in a family to die, as most families were completely destroyed by the plague. 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 north of the county. This happened mainly because of Art MacMurrough Kavanagh, who became King of Leinster in 1377. King Richard II led two military trips against him. Art MacMurrough Kavanagh claimed to be descended from Diarmuid Mac Murrough (died 1171) through a son named Domhnall, who was not born to a married woman. Domhnall was a student at a monastery dedicated to St. Caomhan, near Gorey. This is why the name Cavanagh or Kavanagh came to be used by Domhnall and many of his descendants. Later, the main branch of the MacMurrough Kavanaghs lived at Borris House, Borris, County Carlow.

The Annals of the Four Masters record Art’s death twice, giving different dates and details. Either entry might be correct. They say he died in 1416 or 1417. Most writers say he died in 1417 at New Ross and was buried at St. Mullins, County Carlow. His tombstone there says he died in 1417, but it was built many years after his death. The Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Loch Cé also say he died in 1417, but they do not mention New Ross. Their details match the 1416 entry in the Annals of the Four Masters, except for the date.

16th century

During the time of King Henry VIII, important religious houses were shut down between 1536 and 1541. All their land and belongings were taken away and became the king’s property. The king later gave these lands to new owners. In County Wexford, the following religious houses were among those shut down:

• Tintern Abbey – a religious house started by the Cistercian order. Its land was given to Anthony Colclough in the middle of the 1500s.
• Dunbrody Abbey – also started by the Cistercian order. Its land was given to "Osborne Itchingham" (Echingham) in 1545. Later, in the middle of the 1600s, it was 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 that remained from the priory was divided and passed to different owners over time.
• The Knights Hospitaller’s manor of Kilcloggan – became the property of Dudley Loftus (son of Adam Loftus) near the end of the 1500s.
• Glascarrig Priory.
• Selskar Abbey.

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

17th-century wars and confiscations

In 1612–13, a group of English settlers established a plantation east of the River Slaney in County Wexford. The land was divided into small areas across the region, with each settler receiving about 1,000 acres on average, though some received more. Some of the settlers who were granted 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 confront the rebels. By late September 1649, the towns of Ferns and Enniscorthy were captured by Cromwell’s forces. On 11 October 1649, Wexford town was attacked, and many civilians were killed during the attack. People in County Wexford and across Ireland blamed Cromwell for the violence. Different sources report varying numbers of people killed.

New Ross, led by Lucas Taffe, surrendered to Cromwell on 19 October 1649. Taffe and most of the soldiers defending the town were allowed to leave as part of the surrender terms. Taffe wrote to Cromwell requesting "liberty of conscience" for those who wished to remain. Cromwell responded with a letter that reflected his future actions, as recorded in Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches.

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, County Wexford was mapped as part of the Down Survey. A separate survey, the Civil Survey, was conducted from 1654 to 1656, recording land ownership from 1640–41. These surveys helped the English government take over land from the Irish and Anglo-Normans and give it to soldiers who fought for the Parliamentarian Army. In other areas, land was given to individuals called Adventurers, but in Wexford, most land went to soldiers. Landowners who moved west of the Shannon River and left Ireland were allowed to return later, while most ordinary people remained as tenants under new landlords. However, many soldiers sold their land soon after receiving it. After Cromwell died in 1658, some land grants were canceled, and a few original landowners were restored under King Charles II. Others who supported Charles II also received land. Later, when King James II was defeated in the late 1600s, his supporters’ lands were taken. James II fled to France from Duncannon, in the southwest of the county, after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne.

In the late 1600s, the first magpies in Ireland were recorded in County Wexford around 1676. In 1684, Robert Leigh of Rosegarland wrote that wolves were common in Ireland during Cromwell’s time. However, government rewards for killing wolves led to their decline. By the 1730s, wolves were no longer found in County Wexford, and 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 started in Ireland. These laws mainly affected Catholics and were not changed until the end of the 18th century.

In late 1709, several Protestant families from the Palatinate region of Germany were settled on the lands of 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 from Rotterdam to London and arrived in Dublin on September 10, 1709. Other groups were settled in County Limerick and other parts of Ireland. These people were called "Palatines."

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

In the early 1770s, a group called the Whiteboys briefly acted in north-west County Wexford. They were upset about paying tithes, a tax for the Protestant church. 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.

In 1777, there were only three post offices in the county: Gorey, Enniscorthy, and Wexford. The Royal Mail from Dublin arrived in the county twice a week and left 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 details about County Wexford, which he visited.

In 1793, a serious event happened near Wexford town. A large group of people from the north-west and west of County Wexford, who were part of a secret group called the Right Boys, tried to free two prisoners. On July 11, 1793, they arrived near the town with weapons like guns, pikes, and scythes. They had captured a soldier named Lieutenant Buckby. The military, the 56th Regiment led by Major Vallotton, was sent to meet them. A discussion was planned, but Vallotton struck the Right Boys’ leader, John Moore, with his sword, seriously wounding him. Moore then injured Vallotton with a scythe. Vallotton died a few days later. The soldiers opened fire, and the group scattered. Eleven protestors were killed immediately, and many others died later from their injuries, possibly about 90 in total. Some were killed by local militia under James Boyd. Lieutenant Buckby escaped. John Moore died that day and was buried at Carnagh. He was 22 years old. Five members of the Right Boys—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 spoken in much of County Wexford until the end of the 18th century, when it began to decline. 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 main language.

The 1798 Rebellion

County Wexford experienced the most intense fighting during the 1798 rebellion, with important battles at Enniscorthy and New Ross. Many 1798 memorials are found throughout the county. The famous ballad Boolavogue was written to honor the Wexford Rising. The French Revolution influenced 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 horse reins. The spearhead, made of iron or steel, was attached to a long wooden shaft made of ash. Blacksmiths were targeted by government forces as suspected United Irishmen, and a type of torture called pitchcapping was used to extract information.

The rebellion in Wexford began on the evening of 26 May 1798. That night and the morning of 27 May, events started near Scarawalsh Bridge on the River Slaney. The countryside around Ferns and Camolin was heavily involved in the initial outbreak. Fires were lit on nearby hills, including Carrigrew Hill, to signal the start of the rebellion. John Murphy, a Catholic priest, became an important rebel leader early in the rebellion.

The rebels won the Battle of Oulart Hill on 27 May 1798 and captured Enniscorthy the next day. They established a main camp at Vinegar Hill, near the town, where thousands joined the rebellion. On 30 May 1798, rebels defeated a British force heading to reinforce the garrison at Wexford town during the Battle of Three Rocks. The government forces in Wexford panicked, and most fled toward Duncannon Fort. Rebels entered the town in triumph, and nearly the entire county was under rebel control.

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

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 action in County Wexford. However, on 30 June 1798, a group of government forces, including Ancient Britons, Fifth Dragoon Guards, and yeoman cavalry, was ambushed and defeated at Ballyellis, near the border with County Wicklow. About 60 government soldiers were killed, including 25 Ancient Britons, and many others were wounded. No rebel casualties were reported. This event became known as the Battle of Ballyellis.

On the morning of 5 July 1798, rebels fought the Army (led by James Duff) for two hours at the Battle of Ballygullen (near Craanford), where many rebels were killed or wounded. This was the last major battle in Wexford as surviving rebels marched toward Ulster and Munster until their defeat on 14 July. Some groups remained in Wexford, continuing guerrilla warfare. The last rebel faction, led by James Corcoran, lasted 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 participated, he escaped to France and joined the French Army, fighting the British in this new role on many occasions.

19th century

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

In 1807, a well-known 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 seen as fair landlords, and Colclough was the people’s candidate. The Colclough family had been given the old Abbey (part of which they used as a home) and its large areas of land in the mid-16th century.

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

Edward Hay of Ballinkeele died in Dublin in 1826.

Many areas of the county were deeply involved in the Tithe War (1831–36). This can be seen from the many people listed in the Tithe Defaulter Schedules, which include those who refused to pay tithes. 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, showing the effects of the Famine, stated, "In 1841 the population of County Wexford was 202,033. In 1851 it was 180,158, a drop of 21,875. The population continued to decline for the rest of the century."

Griffiths’ Valuation for County Wexford was published in 1853. It is now used 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 off the Wexford coast, and all on board were killed—about 400 people.

In the mid-19th century, many of the county’s towns received gas lighting for the first time—Enniscorthy, for example, around the 1850s and 1860s. The 19th century also saw the introduction of railways in the county.

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

Later in the 19th century, the Land War had a widespread impact 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 United States, but others later returned to Ireland.

In 1916, a small rebellion happened in Enniscorthy at the same time as the one in Dublin. On Thursday, 27 April 1916, about 600 armed rebels captured Enniscorthy town. The government sent more than 1,000 soldiers to retake the town. On Monday, 1 May 1916, the rebels surrendered without conditions. There were no deaths, and little damage to property. Some leaders were sentenced to death, but their sentences were later canceled. 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 the town of Bala in Merionethshire, North Wales.

Michael O'Hanrahan of New Ross, who played a key 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 in the land War. German submarines, called U-boats, were very active near Wexford's southern coast during the war. Airships, called Zeppelins, were stationed at Johnstown Castle to help fight the U-boat threat. The first U.S. Naval Aviation Forces to arrive were eight men led by Radio Officer Charles A (Gunner) Rogers on 25 February 1918. The U.S. 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, this U-boat 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, off the coast of County Cork. A major 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 in Wexford's coastal waters. 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 rest of the crew—28 men—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 previous Redmondite representatives, Peter Ffrench and Thomas Esmonde. However, Sinn Féin refused to take their seats in the British Parliament. Instead, they created their own parliament, Dáil Éireann, in Dublin. Dáil Éireann first met on 21 January 1919. Only members of Sinn Féin attended. The Dáil established a Department of Defence.

During the Irish War of Independence, a guerrilla war began between Irish rebels and British forces. In 1920, British forces attacked a group of rebels in Cork, killing 14 people. This event increased tensions and led to more violence.

During the Irish Civil War, fighting