Taghmon: Local History and Ancient Stone Walls

If you are looking for a hotel in Taghmon and also choose a destination for its character, the village’s preserved streetscape offers a clear historical focus. Much of the building stock in the village centre dates from the 18th and 19th centuries. The church, castle, high cross, wells and stone walls reveal different facets of this heritage.

Church, Stained-Glass Windows and Streetscape

The Catholic parish church of St. Fintan’s in Taghmon was built between 1869 and 1871 and consecrated in 1872. Its features include Celtic Art Deco-style stained-glass windows made by the Harry Clarke Stained Glass Studios in Dublin. The construction period and consecration mark two different historical dates; the windows add a distinctive design feature to this picture.

Another feature of the streetscape is the pair of Lion’s Head Drinking Fountains. These are cast-iron drinking fountains or water hydrants: one stands on Main Street, the other at the lower end of Stream Street. They are dated to approximately 1899–1910. They were supplied by Glenfield and Kennedy Ltd of Kilmarnock, Scotland.

High Cross, Castle and Holy Wells

Saint Munn’s Church of Ireland is in the centre of the village. Its grounds contain a high cross dating from the 9th or 10th century. By comparison, the Catholic parish church of St. Fintan’s was built in the 19th century. Taghmon therefore brings together different periods without conflating the building histories of the two churches.

Taghmon Castle is also centrally located in the village and survives up to four storeys high. The Tobermunna Holy Well and the Nunnery Well are also within the village boundaries. Together with the high cross and churches, these named places offer several distinct points of interest for a stay focused on the village’s history.

Stone Walls and Habitats

Taghmon has an especially high concentration of old stone walls within County Wexford. Many of them probably date from the 19th century. The walls therefore shape more than the historic streetscape: they provide important habitats for plants and insects. Visitors interested in nature and architectural history will find both reflected in this feature of the local landscape.

Surroundings and Walking Routes

Near Taghmon, in the townland of Mulmountry, lies St. Munna’s Bed, set among woodland not far from Brownscastle Road. It is a natural rock crevice with a sloping, bed-like shape. Its location and unusual form distinguish it from the buildings and streetscape features in the village centre.

The entrance to the Brownscastle Woods Trail is 2.5 km from Taghmon; from there, it is approximately 200 m to the trailhead. As information about trail access can change, check it before your trip.

County Wexford as a Wider Destination

Beyond Taghmon, the wider destination of County Wexford offers a range of cultural and landscape themes. The Irish National Heritage Park is a 35-acre open-air museum with 16 reconstructed sites. Activities, reconstructions, workshops and courses are among the offerings for visitors of all ages.

Tintern Cistercian Abbey in County Wexford was founded around 1200 by William, Earl Marshal. It is located in a special area of conservation and is surrounded by woodland with walking trails. These examples add further county-wide themes to Taghmon’s own local history without attributing them to the village.

Discover more destinations: Kilmuckridge, Gorey, Blackwater, Ferns, Cam Eolaing, Inch, New Ross, Courtown.

For the wider travel overview: County Wexford.