WEXFORD, a seaport and the county town of Co. Wexford, Ireland. Pop. (1926) 11,870. Wexford was an early colony of the English, having been taken by Fitzstephen. It was the second town that Cromwell besieged in 1649. It was garrisoned for William III. in 1690. In 1798 it was made the headquarters of the rebels, who, however, surrendered it on the 21st of June. In 1318 the town received a charter from Aymer de Valence, which was extended by Henry IV. in 1411, and confirmed by Elizabeth in 1558. By James I. it was in 1608 made a free borough cor porate. Wexford Harbour, formed by the estuary of the Slaney, is about 5 m. from north to south and about 4 from east to west. There are quays extending nearly 90o yd. A bar at its mouth prevents the entrance of vessels drawing more than 12 ft. An artificial harbour was therefore opened at Rosslare in 1906, and this is connected with Wexford by a railway (84 m.)
owned by the Great Southern company, and is served by the pas senger steamers of the Great Western railway of England from Fishguard. Some remains exist of the old walls and flanking towers. The Protestant church, near the ruins of the ancient abbey of St. Sepulchre or Selsker, is said to occupy the spot where the treaty was signed between the Irish and the English invaders in 1169. At Carrick, 2 m. W., the Anglo-Normans erected their first castle. The principal exports are agricultural produce, live stock and whisky. Shipbuilding is carried on, and also tanning, malting, brewing, iron-founding, distilling and the manufacture of arti ficial manure, flour, agricultural implements, and rope and twine. Wexford is the headquarters of salmon and sea fishery districts.