Monaseed
Monaseed (Irish: Móin Na Saighead - meaning the boggy place of flint arrows) is a hamlet in North co Wexford. The tiny village centre comprises a Primary National School which was established in 1913, a Catholic church, a Community Hall and some beautiful walks and scenery. Recent housing development has taken place outside and inside the village boundary, which is itself very extensive relative to population. Monaseed is approximately 4 km from The historic old Protestant stronghold of Carnew, an 14 km from the substantial town of Gorey.
As in the case of neighbouring Hollyfort, the Monaseed area has grown considerably since the 1990s, as suburban Gorey extends into the surrounding countryside. Over 40 new houses have been built in and around the village.
The Myles Byrne Community Hall was built in 1948 and dedicated to the memory of Myles Byrne on 150th anniversary of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
History
The English King James I decreed the plantation of the north of County Wexford with foreigners, clearing out the owners and occupiers of the land. Monaseed Castle was built in 1613 and granted to William Marwood. The subsequent plantation caused a huge displacement of local families, some of whom were transported to Virginia. In 1630, according to one source, '[The] Plantation in the Co. has extirpated the Irish almost quite.' Following the Cromwellian invasion soon after, Monaseed Castle was destroyed, and only four Irish men still resided in Monaseed.
Famous people
- Myles Byrne - Patriot; 1798 Rebellion
- Jim Bolger - Prime Minister of New Zealand 1990-97.
- Donal McCann - actor
- Philip Casey - Novelist and poet Philip Casey was born to Irish parents in London in 1950 and grew up in Monaseed.
References
- 'Memoirs of Miles Byrne: 1798 in County Wexford (Duffry Press) Edited by Kevin Whelan & Thomas Bartlett
See also
External links
Coordinates: 52°43′N 6°23′W / 52.717°N 6.383°W