Pre-history
Evidence of early human habitation of County Wexford is widespread.
Ireland was inhabited sometime shortly after the ending of the last Ice Age, approximately 10,000 – 8000 BC Conservative estimates place the arrival of the first humans in County Wexford as occurring between 5000 BC – 3000 BC, referred to as the Mesolithic period in Ireland, though they may have arrived slightly earlier. Its proximity to Britain and Europe means that County Wexford was probably one of the earliest areas of Ireland to be inhabited by humans. Evidence of this period is scarce and much remains to be discovered through Archaeology and Research.
Portal tombs (sometimes called Dolmens) exist at Ballybrittas (on Bree Hill) and at Newbawn – and date from the Neolithic period.
Evidence of the Bronze Age period is far more widespread – an Early Bronze Age Axehead was found at Bree and a Gold Disc at Kilmuckridge, for example. Cist Burials (also dating from the Bronze Age period) have been discovered in many locations – such as at the Deeps, Enniscorthy, and Misterin. There are also numerous Standing Stones in the county and one Stone Circle (at Robinstown Great – classified as a four poster monument).
The remains of numerous Raths are scattered throughout rural County Wexford. An Ogham Stone was found on the Hook Peninsula in the 19th century. Ogham Stones have also been found elsewhere in the County. Pre-Christian Ireland worshipped a variety of deities, including the sun. Druidism survived in Ireland much longer than Britain and Gaul, as Ireland was never conquered by the Romans.
Read more about this topic: History Of County Wexford