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FLINT IMPLEMENT found on the seashore at Grange, near Fethard-on-Sea.

Flint implement

Found recently on the seashore at Grange, near Fethard-on-Sea, on the shore of Bannow Bay, this neolithic flint implement provides evidence for settlement in south-west Wexford about 3,000 B.C.

The flint tool (described as a side scraper) could have been used to prepare fish and wild-fowl caught in the shallow bay which was a rich source of food. The fact that the flint was found on the seashore could indicate that it came from a habitation site on the cliff edge as the area is subject to coastal erosion.

St. Mary' Lane & Churchyard, Wexford

St. Mary's Church stood further east of St. Patrick's, which it resembled in design, but was more beautiful in detail. The capitals of the pillars, the mouldings of the arches, the tracery of the widows being more ornamental than those of either Selskar or St. Patrick's. It was, on the testimony of the late Father Corrin, the last Parochial Church in use from the time of the Reformation until the building of the new Churches in 1858.

St Mary Lane

Dr. Nicholas French, Bishop of Ferns, was the last Parish Priest of St. Mary's from 1638 until he was driven into exile in 1651. His residence was the large house at the top of Peter Street (now divided into two houses). At the rear of this house is the traditionally known "Bishop's Garden" extending down to the walls of St. Mary's Churchyard. The doorways leading from the garden to the Church precincts, though built up, are still clearly discernible today.

St. Patrick's Church, Wexford

The best preserved of the ruined Churches of Wexford is St. Patrick's, adjacent to St. Patrick's Square. In structure, the buildings are a miniature of Selskar, but it has a feature all its own - a double belfry on either gable end. In one of these, which stood above the High Altar, were the Sanctus Bell, which was rung from the Sanctuary at the more solemn parts of the Mass. The others over the main entrance were bells of different tone and used to summon people to Church.

The Twin Bell Towers of St. Patrick's Church

Bride Street Spire through a window of St. Patrick's.