Fethard — Fethard,grange (shelburne By., Fethard Ed)

Fethard is situated on a fairly level landscape, with a N-S ravine forming its E side, and the silted estuary of a small W-E stream is at the S end of the village. Fethard Bay is c. 600m to the E, but Fethard did not have a harbour until one was built at the E end of Ingard Point c. 1km to the E some time before 1771 (Colfer 2004, 126), and Bannow, c. 3.7km to the NE on the other side of the bay, would probably have been regarded as its port. Hervey de Montmorency granted the churches of Shelburne and Bargy baronies to Christchurch, Canterbury, who ultimately passed them on to Tintern Abbey (WX045-027001-), although Fethard may have been ancient church land that was returned to the bishop of Ferns between 1228 and 1232. This was despite a grant of the town of Fethard made by Canterbury to Richard de Londres (London) c. 1200. This grant was made on condition that he built a castle, which is probably the motte (WX050-011002-). Richard de Londres may have been satisfied with the manor of Rosegarland (WX040-009----) as no more claims were made, and Fethard became an episcopal manor. The bishop may have made it his summer residence as the castle (WX050-011003-) is designed as two discrete households, which he may have shared with the rector. Thomas Denne, who was bishop from 1363-1400, may have moved the diocesan centre away from Ferns to avoid the Gaelic resurgence, and the castle might date to this episcopate (Colfer 2002, 219). Cahair McArt of Macmurroughs Island (WX029-007----) attacked Fethard in 1532 with the help of John Purcell, Bishop of Ferns, and plundered 20 of the inhabitants. Two years later Cahir drove off 115 cattle, including some belonging to the bishop, which His Lordship subsequently and secretly recovered (Hore 1900-11. vol. 4, 322-3; Colfer 2004, 80). A settlement developed, which was properly constituted as a town with a council and protreeve. It was probably undefended but a castle indicated on a map of 1771 in the area of the Recotry (Hore 1900-11, vol. 4, 339-41) may have been the last remnant of, or the sole attempt at, defensive walls. A return of 1282 produced £6 in rent (ibid. vol. 6, 189), which suggests that Fethard may have had 120 burgesses. The Sutton family had an interest in the town, and Richard Sutton is recorded in 1379 (Hore 1949, 50). James Keating is recorded in 1542, and Nicholas Keating of Kilcowan (WX046-041001-) forfeited a house at Fethard in 1568 for treason (Hore 1900-11, vol. 4, 324-5). In 1613 Fethard was incorporated as a town with a charter, to be governed by a provost and 12 burgesses. It could send two members to Parliament and a partial list of its representatives up to 1800 survives (ibid. vol. 4, 318-9). There could be a market on Wednesdays, and a two-day fair starting on August 5 (ibid. vol. 4, 328). In 1634 Nicholas Loftus, a Protestant, received the manor of Fethard from the Bishop in exchange for other property (Jeffrey 1979, 148-9). In 1641 the castle was captured by Dermot McDowlin Kavanagh, who placed Capt. James Downes in command. It became an important centre for the rebels, who mistreated their prisoners as many depositions record (Hore 1900-11, vol. 4, 328-31). A survey of the 1650s lists seven proprietors, two streets – Church St. and High St - , three thatched houses, five cabins and seven house plots, presumably abandoned homesteads (ibid. 4, 333-4). Robert Leigh writing c. 1684 says there are two or three small castles, a stone house, a brick house, and 30-40 cabins or thatched houses (Hore 1858-9, 460). He also suggests that fishing boats pulled into the creek. The village continues today, and the castle (WX050-011003-), the church site (WX050-011001-) and a motte (WX050-011002-) survive. (Hore 1900-11, vol. 4, 307-42; Colfer 2004, 132-4) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 11 February 2014