WEXFORD

WEXFORD, the capital, a seaport and municipal borough, is situated at the mouth of the river Slaney, 93 miles S. of Dublin by rail. The estuary of the Slaney forms Wexford Harbour, which, though spacious, is shallow and impeded by a bar. The town has several churches, Catholic and Protestant, a convent and nunneries, and conventual schools. Parts of the old fortifications and of St Selsker's priory remain. The town is extremely ancient, and was occupied by the Danes as one of their strongest settlements; and from the time of the invasion it became an English stronghold against the native population. During the civil wars of 1641 it was occupied by the confederated Catholics, but was taken by Cromwell in 1644. The insurgents of 1798 also had possession of it for a short time. Till 1885 it returned a member to parliament. Pop. (1881) 12,163; (1891) 11,541.