School: San Leonard, Ballycullane

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1. The South Wexford Coast (continued)

   

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   (Leaba na mBád)

   nook of the far inland coast under Hayes's wood in the townland of Arklow, Wellington P.O. It is said that Arklow, here, was a town founded by the Danes. It is therefore of much more antiquity than its next door neighbour on the same arm of the sea, viz., Clonmines of 12th to the 17th century.

   
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   Ruins of St. Kearns Old Church

   "Ciarán" as the older people call the "shore" townsland seems to be more correct than "Kearns".

   There are the remains of an old Church there and local tradition says it dates back to the days of Ciarán himself. Fr John Roche's niece told me that he says San Ciarán came to the shores and probably built a little church there. Anyhow, the holy water font of it was carried up to St. Leonard's Church by old Will Stauntons grandfather. It is at the gallery stairs in St. Leonards Church.

   Tradition also has it that the graveyard attached to St Kearns Church is across the road in the slob, now under water. The "remains" of the Church can be seen at the entrance gate to Mr Cowman's house at St. Kearns.

   
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   Ruins of St. Catherine's (?)
   or
   St. Anne's (?) Church

   
   The ruins of this Church are on Fitzgerald's land St. Leonards. The site is right on the road-side. It is covered with briars and bushes. Fitzgeralds never plough it.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Mary B. Dunphy

   Gender

   Female

   Occupation

   Teacher