Geography and subdivisions
[edit]
Wexford is the 13th-largest of Ireland's thirty-two traditional counties in area, and 9th-largest in terms of population. It is the largest of Leinster's 12 counties in size, and fourth-largest in terms of population. The county is located in the south-east corner of the island of Ireland. It is bounded by the sea on two sides—on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea. The River Barrow forms its western boundary. The Blackstairs Mountains form part of the boundary to the north, as do the southern edges of the Wicklow Mountains. The adjoining counties are Waterford to the south-west, Kilkenny to the west, Carlow to the north-west and Wicklow in the north.
Towns and villages[edit]
Historical populationYearPop.±%15004,550—    15104,344−4.5%15505,010+15.3%15806,224+24.2%15859,870+58.6%160012,343+25.1%16103,456−72.0%165313,004+276.3%165911,680−10.2%166813,351+14.3%167215,339+14.9%168029,875+94.8%169036,310+21.5%170048,660+34.0%170552,399+7.7%171068,980+31.6%171571,445+3.6%172079,880+11.8%172583,455+4.5%173588,611+6.2%174587,222−1.6%175584,114−3.6%176581,396−3.2%177184,233+3.5%177587,222+3.5%178190,566+3.8%1788104,760+15.7%1790125,881+20.2%1801120,688−4.1%1811131,970+9.3%1813128,455−2.7%1816141,389+10.1%1821155,377+9.9%1821170,806+9.9%1831182,713+7.0%1841202,033+10.6%1851180,158−10.8%1861143,954−20.1%1871132,666−7.8%1881123,854−6.6%1891111,778−9.8%1901104,104−6.9%1911102,273−1.8%192695,848−6.3%193694,245−1.7%194691,855−2.5%195190,032−2.0%195687,259−3.1%196183,308−4.5%196683,437+0.2%197186,351+3.5%197996,421+11.7%198199,081+2.8%1986102,552+3.5%1991102,069−0.5%1996104,371+2.3%2002116,596+11.7%2006131,749+13.0%2011145,320+10.3%2016149,722+3.0%2022163,527+9.2%
County Town: Wexford
Market Town: Gorey
Adamstown
Arthurstown
Ballindaggin
Ballycanew
Ballycullane
Ballyedmond
Ballyfad
Ballygarrett
Ballyhack
Ballywilliam
Bannow
Barntown
Blackwater
Bree
Bridgetown
Broadway
Bunclody
Camolin
Campile
Castlebridge
Castletown
Cleariestown
Clohamon
Clonroche
Coolgreany
Courtown
Craanford
Crossabeg
Cullenstown
Curracloe
Duncannon
Duncormick
Enniscorthy
Ferns
Fethard-on-Sea
Foulkesmill
Gorey
Hollyfort
Inch
Killinierin
Kilmore
Kilmore Quay
Kilmuckridge
Kiltealy
Monamolin
Monaseed
Murrintown
Monageer
Newbawn
New Ross
Oulart
Oylegate
Poulpeasty
Rathangan
Rosslare
Rosslare Harbour
Raheen
Rathnure
Saltmills
Taghmon
Watch House Village
Wellingtonbridge
Wexford
Mountains and hills[edit]
Mount Leinster
Largely low-lying fertile land is the characteristic landscape of the county. The highest point in the county is Mount Leinster at 795 metres (2,608 ft), in the Blackstairs Mountains in the north-west on the boundary with County Carlow.
Other high points:
Black Rock Mountain, 599 m (1,965 ft), located near the Wexford-Carlow border, within County Wexford.
Croghan Mountain (or Croghan Kinsella) on the Wexford-Wicklow border – 606 m (1,988 ft)
Annagh Hill, 454 m (1,490 ft), near the Wicklow border
Slieveboy, 420 m (1,380 ft)
Notable hills include: Carrigbyrne Hill; Camross (or Camaross) Hill, 181 m (594 ft); Carrigmaistia, 167 m (548 ft); Bree Hill, 179 m (587 ft); Gibbet Hill; Vinegar Hill; Slievecoiltia; Forth Mountain, 237 m (778 ft); and Tara Hill.
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, the longest in Ireland, crossing the River Barrow near New Ross
Rivers and lakes[edit]
The major rivers are the Slaney and the Barrow. At 192 km (119 mi) in length, the river Barrow is the second-longest river on the island of Ireland. Smaller rivers of note are the Owenduff, Pollmounty, Corrock, Urrin, Boro, Owenavorragh (also spelt Ounavarra), Sow and Bann rivers.
There are no significant fresh-water lakes in the county. Small seaside lakes or lagoons exist at two locations – one is called Lady's Island Lake and the other Tacumshin Lake.
The Wexford Cot is a flat-bottomed boat used for fishing on the tidal mudflats in Wexford. A canoe-shaped punt fitted with a gun, called a float in Wexford, is used traditionally to shoot game birds in the North Slob mud flats.
Islands[edit]
The Saltee Islands lie 5 km (3 mi) offshore from Kilmore Quay, while the smaller Keeragh Islands are 1.5 km (1 mi) offshore from Bannow.
Climate[edit]
Curracloe Beach
County Wexford, sometimes dubbed Ireland's "sunny southeast", has in general a higher number of hours of sunshine recorded daily than in the rest of the country.
This has resulted in Wexford becoming one of the most popular places in Ireland in which to reside.[citation needed] The county has a mild, but changeable, oceanic climate with few extremes. The North Atlantic Drift, a continuation of the Gulf Stream, moderates winter temperatures. There is a meteorological station located at Rosslare Harbour. January and February are generally the coldest months, with temperatures ranging from 4–9 °C (39–48 °F) on average. July and August are generally the warmest months, with average temperatures ranging from 13–19 °C (55–66 °F) in coastal areas and 12–22 °C (54–72 °F) in inland areas. The prevailing winds blow from the south-west. Precipitation falls throughout the year. Mean annual rainfall is 800–1,200 millimetres (31–47 in). Generally, the county receives less snow than more northerly parts of Ireland. Heavy snowfalls are relatively rare, but can occur. The one exception is Mount Leinster, visible from a large portion of the county, and frequently covered with snow during the winter months. Frost is frequent in winter months, less so in coastal areas.
Soil[edit]
An ice sheet covered most, but not all, of the county during the last Ice age. As the ice retreated, County Wexford would have been one of the first areas to be covered with glacial drift (a mixture of boulders, clay, sand and gravel) that blanketed the existing bedrock. This has led to high-quality soils, suitable for a wide range of agriculture. A very detailed soil survey of the county was published in 1964 as part of the 'National Soil Survey of Ireland'. It classifies each area of the county according to its specific soil type.
Most of the county is covered with soils called brown earths, described as well-drained and having a wide use-range. After that, gleys (poorly to imperfectly drained with a limited use-range) are the next major soil type, primarily located in the south-east of the county and east of Gorey (along the coast). Gleys are dotted elsewhere around the county in small areas, and where they occur they generally form bogland. The last major soil type, brown podzolics, occur mainly near the edges of the Blackstairs Mountain range and around Bunclody and in the baronies of East Shelmalier and South Ballaghkeen. Though there are areas covered with other soil types, these are of limited extent.
Flora[edit]
Common species of tree include oak, ash, sycamore, alder, blackthorn, hawthorn, beech and birch. Less common (but plentiful) species include wild cherry and Scots pine (also called red deal). Elm is now far less common, due to the devastating effects of Dutch elm disease. Gorse (or furze) is very common. A priority habitat in Wexford is the grey dune, on which many native wild flora grow, including bee orchid and pyramidal orchid. Despite the designation of much of this habitat as a Special Area of Conservation, it remains threatened by destruction for agricultural intensification[citation needed]. There is very little natural forest in the county. Most natural trees and vegetation grow on hedgerows.
Fauna[edit]
South-eastern Wexford is an important site for wild birds—the north side of Wexford Harbour, the North Slob, is home to 10,000 Greenland white-fronted geese each winter (roughly one third of the entire world's population), while in the summer Lady's Island Lake is an important breeding site for terns, especially the roseate tern. The grey heron is also seen.
Throughout the county pheasant, woodpigeon and feral pigeons are widespread. Mute swan, mallard, kingfisher, and owls (the long-eared owl, the short-eared owl, and the barn owl) are less common – but plentiful. Red grouse, once common, is now extremely scarce. The species has been in decline for some decades. Threats include habitat degradation, disease, predation and over-hunting. Red grouse in Ireland are now considered threatened. The corncrake, also once very common, is now almost never seen. Smaller birds—such as crows, swallows, robins, wrens and so on—are very common. The first magpies in Ireland were recorded by Robert Leigh, of Rosegarland, County Wexford, as having appeared in the County of Wexford about 1676.
Land mammals include badger, rabbit, otter, hedgehog, red fox, mink, bats, squirrels (red and grey), rats (brown and black – both introduced species), and mice (wood (or field) and house). Two types of hare—the Irish (or mountain) hare and the less common brown (or European) hare—are found. Hare is not nearly as common as rabbit. The stoat (Mustela erminea hibernica) is also reasonably common. Locally the stoat is just as often incorrectly called a weasel.
Only two types of seal are found on County Wexford's coast—Atlantic grey seals are very plentiful in coastal areas; the slightly smaller common (or harbour) seal is less common, yet plentiful. The small tortoiseshell butterfly (reddish-orange colour, with black markings) is the most common species of butterfly in the county. Various types of moth are also common. The common frog – the only type of frog found – is plentiful.
