Bannow

Infobox Irish Place
name = Bannow
gaeilge = Banú
motto =
map

pin coords = left: 47px; top: 99px
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area = | elevation = m ( ft)
province = Leinster
county = Wexford
stdcode = 051
web = | Bannow (Irish: "Banú") is an area situated in the south of County Wexford, in Ireland. An early Norman town was founded at Bannow. This town has since dissappeared due to coastal erosion, although the ruins of an early Norman church can still be seen there today (which dates from the 13th century). The Norman church is located near the former island of Bannow. It was a parish church, dedicated to St. Mary. It consists of a nave and chancel. The church was originally impropriated to the monks of Canterbury. [ Grattan Flood, W. H. "History of the Diocese of Ferns". Waterford: Downey & Co., 1916, p. 143.]

There is a small village located at nearby Carrig-on-Bannow (often called Carrig).

History

It is believed that the Vikings had a strong early presence in the area, due to the survival of numerous Norse place-names in the locality.

It was near here that the Normans first landed "en masse" in 1169, during their invasion of Ireland at the behest of Diarmait MacMurrough. In that year, a group of Normans commanded by Robert Fitz-Stephen sailed into "Bannow Bay" and landed near Bannow in three ships. They landed at the island of Bannow, which is no longer an island today - the channel dividing the former island from the mainland has since silted up and the island is now joined to the mainland.

Another group of Normans under Raymond le Gros landed near Bannow in 1170, but at a different location. This time they landed at "Baginbun", which was then called "Dún Domhnaill", on the opposite side of Bannow Bay on the Hook Peninsula. The Irish 'Dún' signifies a 'fort' and at Baginbun Head there was then located a small a promontory fort, easy for the Normans to defend and thereby ensure a safe landing in Ireland.Another famous Norman Soldier and Officer who landed in the first Invasion was Meiler Fitzhenry, who's son adopted his Father's name, and thus began the Meyler family of Co.Wexford, who later were prominent in the Irish Rebellion against English Rule in the Rising of 1798.During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, the fleeing Wexford loyalist garrisson crossed the nearby Scar at Barrystown on their way to Duncannon Fort.

Bannow had borough status and it returned members to the Parliament of Ireland until 1800, when under the Act of Union the borough was disenfranchised. [See: Bannow (Parliament of Ireland constituency).]

In the later 19th century, the area was very involved in the Land War.

The most prominent local landlords in Bannow, from the late 17th century onwards, were the Boyse family. They lived at Bannow House. The last member of the Boyse family left the area in 1948.

Details

There is a R.C. church located at Carrig-on-Bannow village, though the church is officially referred to as Bannow church. [ [http://www.ferns.ie/parish.shtml?Id=Bannow Carrig-on-Bannow/Bannow RC Church.] ] This church dates from 1856, though it has been slightly altered since it was originally built. It has an adjoining cemetery.

Carrig-on-Bannow village also contains a number of pubs, and a Garda Station. [ [http://www.garda.ie/statlinks/wexford.html Garda Station telephone numbers Wexford/Wicklow Division ] ]

There is also a beach located near the village - on Bannow Island.

At nearby Grantstown is located an Augustinian Priory.

port

Gaelic games

The local GAA Club is Bannow-Ballymitty GAA Club, [ [http://www.gaainfo.com/club.php?co=wexford&club=bannowballymitty Bannow-Ballymitty GAA Club, Co. Wexford] .] whose pitch is located at nearby Grantstown (about a mile from the current RC Church of Bannow shown in the photo on this page).

Famous Residents

*Anna Maria Hall (Mrs. S.C. Hall) - author.
*Anthony Morris - Irish actor.

References & footnotes

External links

* [http://www.wexford.ie/ Wexford County Council website]