An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 30 | The hiSTory oF wexFord'S MiliTary BarracKS by MONICA CROFTON AND COURTESy OF COMDT ENDA MCDONALD, OC E COy, 3 INF BN A ccording to Dr hadden, founder of the Wexford histori- cal Society, Wexford Military barracks began its life as a Danish fortress on a natural mound of earth, which at that time was bounded by the harbour on its east and southeast sides. The fortress commanded a good defensive position, high above the roadways and market place of the Celtic settlement that was centred near present-day Selskar. It also had a well of natural spring water, which made it the perfect place for a wooden fort. In the 12th century the Normans built a stone castle on this same knoll. The exact date is not known but PH Hore, in his book History of the Town and County of Wexford, says it existed before 1185 when it is mentioned in Prince John's charter to his chamber- lain as having a doorkeeper called Richard, who was probably the custodian of the hostages in the castle. Wexford historian Billy Colfer thought it more likely to have been built in the early half of the 13th century by William Marshall. The castle was built outside the walls of the town, which was not unusual for the time as, according to Colfer, of the 36 towns with medieval castles only four were within the walls. In 1317 the castle is described as being distinct from the bor- ough with its own governor or constable. In 1323-1324 we finally get a description: "A stone castle with four towers, and attached to it a roof with shingles and two other houses thatched (with straw)." A meadow below the castle was also mentioned, which must have been on the north-west side as the water of the harbour was on the south and east. It was there that the principal conventions, inquisitions and councils of both town and county were held. The first constable was William FitzAldelm de Burgo, who died 1204-1205 to whom a fee of £5 to £10 was paid. There was a water mill near the castle, the name of which is still retained in present- day Mill Road. The castle served as a jail, but it seems not to have been very effective, as when the Lord Deputy came to Wexford in 1579 he discovered that some of the prisoners had escaped. However, he executed those who remained. In 1609, the charter of King James I granted use of the castle to the mayor and corporation of the town though it was still known as 'the King's castle'. During Cromwell's campaign in Ireland Capt James Stafford was governor and constable of the castle, as well as captain of a foot company of 100 men. When Cromwell laid siege to the town in 1649 and negotiations were ongoing with David Sinnott, the town gover- nor, the Cromwellian army gained access to the castle, where their appearance caused panic. The defending soldiers also panicked and abandoned their positions, allowing the Cromwellian army to breach the walls and gain entrance to the town. Stafford has traditionally been blamed for betraying the castle to Cromwell. In 1651 Lt Col Thogmorton established a temporary barracks with stables and storehouses for the garrison and held courts- martial there. In 1656 its function as a gaol ended when that role was taken over by Stafford's castle at Stonebridge. A garrison was retained in the castle from 1659. In 1662, the Duke of Albermarle was in charge of Wexford, and appointed Lt Sir Richard Clifton to garrison the castle. Also around that time the Duke of Ormond issued a recommendation to all mayors and chief magistrates of garrison towns to provide fire and candles for garrison guards. In 1690, when the town declared for William of Orange, Col Butler, the Lord Lieutenant of the county, sent a letter to the gar- rison commander, Capt Kelly, to leave

• Cover