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Historic sketch of Enniscorthy Castle with towers, surrounding foliage and three figures standing in the foreground.

Flourish decorative icon Enniscorthy Castle through the Ages Flourish decorative icon

From the landing of Norman knights to the might of Gaelic Kings, from the strongmen of the English court to merchants of the industrial age, explore the fascinating history of a town and its Castle

Enniscorthy Castle Timeline

Twelfth century through to the twenty-first century, unfolding before us

Illustrated reconstruction of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Enniscorthy, with surrounding wooden palisades, village buildings, farmland, and the River Slaney set against a large wooded hill.

1190

Maud de Quency (granddaughter of the famous Strongbow) marries Philip de Prendergast (son of Anglo-Norman Knight Maurice de Prendergast). They reside at Enniscorthy Castle from 1190 to his death in 1229. From that time until the 1370’s, their descendants, and other Anglo-Norman families, rule the Duffry and reside in Enniscorthy Castle.

Illustration featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of a medieval warrior from the MacMurrough-Kavanagh dynasty, shown wearing a helmet and cloak and holding a round shield decorated with a red animal emblem.

1375

The fief (a defined area of land or territory) of the Duffry and Enniscorthy Castle are forcefully retaken by Art MacMurrough Kavanagh who regains his ancestral lands. This marks a time of Gaelic Irish revival. The MacMurrough Kavanagh dynasty rule until they eventually surrender the Castle and lands to Lord Leonard Grey in 1536. At this time Enniscorthy Castle is reported be in a ruined condition.

 

Illustrated aerial view of medieval Enniscorthy, showing the River Slaney, surrounding farmland, clustered town buildings, and a bridge linking both sides of the settlement.

1569

The Butlers of Kilkenny and the Earl of Kildare lead a raid on Enniscorthy town on a fair day, killing numerous civilians and burning the castle.

Portrait painting of poet Edmund Spenser, wearing a short beard, dark garment and a large lace ruff collar.

1581

The poet, Edmund Spenser, leases the Castle but never lives in it. Historians speculate that this was because Spenser feared the MacMurrough Kavanaghs.

Black and white image of portrait painting, featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of Henry Wallop in period armour, shown standing with long curly hair and a hand resting on his hip.

1585

Henry Wallop receives ownership of the Duffry by Royal Appointment. He exploits the dense forests (the Duffry, An Dubh Tír in Irish, meaning “The Black Country”) surrounding Enniscorthy which brings considerable wealth to the town. He then  funds the rebuilding of Enniscorthy Castle which we see standing today. Enniscorthy begins to rapidly develop as a plantation town.

Portrait of Oliver Cromwell, showing him in armour with white fabric collar underneath, against a dark backdrop.

1649

Oliver Cromwell arrives in County Wexford. Enniscorthy Castle is besieged by his forces; its defenders surrender, leaving it intact. In December of the same year the Castle once again fell to the Irish (under Captain Daniel Farrell), but two months later Colonel Cooke, the Governor of Wexford, reoccupied the castle.

1798 old map of enniscorthy town and river illustration

1798

The Castle is used as a prison during the 1798 rebellion. The uprising of the United Irishmen against the Crown Forces has a bloody and violent history. The nearby National 1798 Rebellion Centre tells this epic story and is well worth a visit.

Historical reenactors in red military uniforms firing muskets outside the stone towers of Enniscorthy Castle during a battle demonstration, with smoke rising around them.

1863

The 5th Earl of Portsmouth, Isaac Newton Wallop Fellowes, occupied the ground floor of the Castle as an estate office. The second floor was a registration office for the diocese of Ferns, while the upper floor was used as a printing office by John Pilkington, who founded the Enniscorthy News.

Caricature, featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of a well-dressed man in a top hat and long coat standing in profile with a pronounced posture on a plain background.

1867

The Castle is used as billet accommodation for extra police who were drafted into the area during the Fenian Rising.

Illustrated poster titled The Fenian Volunteer, showing a man standing on a fallen British union flag, while raising a large green banner featuring a golden harp.

1898

The Castle is leased by Patrick J. Roche, owner of a maltings business in Enniscorthy and New Ross, from the Earl of Portsmouth. P.J. Roche restores and extends the Castle making it into a residence for his son Henry J. Roche and his bride, Josephine Shriver of Philidelphia.

1916 Black and white photo, featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of a large crowd gathered on an Enniscorthy street, with people filling the roadway between rows of buildings.

1916

The Roche family is forced to vacate their home as Enniscorthy Castle is occupied by members of the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising. The Volunteers hold the town for almost a week before surrendering on May 1st.

Plaque on old stone wall in Enniscorthy, with weathered text reading The Maltings, 1898, P J Roche.

1922

The Roche family vacate the Castle again for a period of time, after it was commandeered by the Free State Army during the Irish Civil War.

1950s photograph showing view of Enniscorthy Castle, its tall round towers, stone walls and enclosed courtyard, with trees and adjoining buildings nearby.

1951

The last member of the Roche family, Dodo Roche, leaves the Castle.

Vintage black and white photo of four young children standing in a row, with an adult holding a baby on the left, all dressed in early 20th-century clothing.

1962

The Castle opens as Wexford County Museum.

Colour Illustration of Enniscorthy Castle drawing room with patterned furniture, rugs, framed pictures on the walls and a piano beneath a central window.

2006

The Castle is closed for major renovations with all artifacts moved to the Wexford County Council Archives.

Night-time view of Enniscorthy Castle illuminated in green, showing its stone tower, windows and Irish flag against a deep blue sky.

2011

The Castle reopens in May as “A View from the Keep”. The focal point changes  from a county museum to depicting the story of the castle, the people and the town of Enniscorthy, through the eyes of the castle, and how both have developed over the centuries.

1190

Illustrated reconstruction of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Enniscorthy, with surrounding wooden palisades, village buildings, farmland, and the River Slaney set against a large wooded hill.

1375

Illustration featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of a medieval warrior from the MacMurrough-Kavanagh dynasty, shown wearing a helmet and cloak and holding a round shield decorated with a red animal emblem.

1569

Illustrated aerial view of medieval Enniscorthy, showing the River Slaney, surrounding farmland, clustered town buildings, and a bridge linking both sides of the settlement.

1581

Portrait painting of poet Edmund Spenser, wearing a short beard, dark garment and a large lace ruff collar.

1585

Black and white image of portrait painting, featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of Henry Wallop in period armour, shown standing with long curly hair and a hand resting on his hip.

1649

Portrait of Oliver Cromwell, showing him in armour with white fabric collar underneath, against a dark backdrop.

1798

1798 old map of enniscorthy town and river illustration

1863

Historical reenactors in red military uniforms firing muskets outside the stone towers of Enniscorthy Castle during a battle demonstration, with smoke rising around them.

1867

Caricature, featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of a well-dressed man in a top hat and long coat standing in profile with a pronounced posture on a plain background.

1898

Illustrated poster titled The Fenian Volunteer, showing a man standing on a fallen British union flag, while raising a large green banner featuring a golden harp.

1916

1916 Black and white photo, featured in Enniscorthy Castle, of a large crowd gathered on an Enniscorthy street, with people filling the roadway between rows of buildings.

1922

Plaque on old stone wall in Enniscorthy, with weathered text reading The Maltings, 1898, P J Roche.

1951

1950s photograph showing view of Enniscorthy Castle, its tall round towers, stone walls and enclosed courtyard, with trees and adjoining buildings nearby.

1962

Vintage black and white photo of four young children standing in a row, with an adult holding a baby on the left, all dressed in early 20th-century clothing.

2006

Colour Illustration of Enniscorthy Castle drawing room with patterned furniture, rugs, framed pictures on the walls and a piano beneath a central window.

2011

Night-time view of Enniscorthy Castle illuminated in green, showing its stone tower, windows and Irish flag against a deep blue sky.
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History of Enniscorthy Castle

Eileen Gray

Modernist Architect and Designer (1878-1976) known for her modern minimalist furniture and architecture.

Black and white side-profile portrait photograph of Eileen Gray against a dark background, featured in Enniscorthy Castle.

The Swordsman

The dungeon of Enniscorthy Castle is certainly worth a visit. Here you’ll see the late 16th century artwork, likely carved by a prisoner.

Photo of medieval swordsman graffiti, showing man with weapons drawn on stone, featured in Enniscorthy Castle.

Roche Family

Enniscorthy Castle and Vinegar Hill: continue your journey through history in the Heart of Wexford!

Historic black and white photograph of Josephine Roche and four children sitting on rocky ground with a lighthouse in the background.

The Norman Castle

Norman knights build castles and fortifications across the southeast in the late 12th century, including Enniscorthy Castle.

Costumed historical reenactor dressed as a medieval knight standing outside the entrance of Enniscorthy Castle, holding a shield and weapon.