Enniscorthy

My father’s mother was raised in Enniscorthy in a narrow three-story row house with a small two-story backyard. She came to America on a boat when she was 17, met a handsome Irish-American cop, married him and had four children. She died in America when my father, the youngest, was 9 years-old; he died when my father was 14. The Wexford home she grew up in had been sold, bought, sold, bought, and put on the market again when my father was in his late 30’s. His cousin, around the corner in Wexford, alerted him, and he bought the house with his brother. That Christmas, they gave to deed to my two aunts, their sisters, who cried and cried.
The home is staying in our family, for use by anyone on a visit – which happens so often that there isn’t enough room to keep everyone who’ll be there this Spring. My sister, opting out of a lavish Long Island Sweet 16 party, is taking a few of her friends (with my mother) to stay in the house, and frolick around the lovely – and surprisingly hip – town.
Enniscorthy holds a special place in my heart. Though, regardless, I recommend a stay there with a visit to Vinegar Hill and night out in Rackard’s. There is an interactive 1798 Rebellion exhibit and a beautiful cathedral in town, I believe it’s Saint Aidan’s. It’s a little more fun in the summer time, we once accidentally scheduled a visit during a Strawberry festival and got to see a couple free concerts. My mom also likes to collect the pottery from local artisans.
The Waterford Crystal factory is worth a go, but it’s a bit of a drive and in the next county – Waterford. There’s also a train to Dublin, which is about an hour+ north of Enniscorthy, and if you’re there, I highly recommend a stop at the Guinness Brewery.