Historic town

The National Monuments Service's description

There may have been a settlement at Gorey in the thirteenth century as a payment of 13 shillings was made by 'the communityh of the town (ville) of Gorey' in 1296, but nothing further is known until the 17th century when Gorey emerges a planned town, part of the early 17-century plantation of north county Wexford. It received its first charter in 1619 as Newtown or Newborough. Bishop Ram, the Protestant bishop of Ferns lived at Gorey. The town was captured by Rebels in 1641.

The town was laid out on a grid pattern covering c. 14 acres (c. 5.5 ha), and it might never have been defended with a wall, although there are passing references to ramparts in the early 18th century. Main Street runs ENE-WSW through the centre of the original town area, which extends from Pearse St. at N to Church Lane at S, The Avenue at W to Church St. at E. The graveyard and church site (WX007-033001-) with the Ram tomb (WX007-03303-) are within the town. Archaeological testing within the town has yet to produce any related material. (Bradley and King 1990, 88-91; Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 609-34)

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: 15 March 2012

References

Hore, P.H. 1900-1911 (Reprint 1979) History of the town and county of Wexford, 6 vols. Dublin. Published by arrangement with W.A. Hennessy Esq.

Bradley, J. and King, H. 1990 Urban archaeological survey - county Wexford. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.