A small site that holds a lot of history
For all its size, Selskar Abbey packs in centuries. Beside the Westgate Heritage Tower in Wexford town, what survives is the weathered walls of a 12th-century Augustinian priory, a sturdy 14th-century bell tower and a quiet graveyard that has seen Viking landings and Cromwellian sieges alike. The ruins are fragile, so the site is not open for wandering about on your own. Access is by guided tour only, and the volunteer guides are the reason a visit is worth the €5.
History and legends
The name Selskar most likely comes from the Old Norse sel-skar, ‘seal skerry’, a nod to a rocky outcrop that once sat in the nearby River Slaney. Some local historians prefer a different reading, that it is a corruption of ‘St Sepulchre’, pointing to an early Christian presence. Before the Normans the site may have held a pagan temple to Odin, though the first recorded Christian structure dates to the mid-12th century.
Selskar then turns up at several hinge-points in Irish history. In 1169 the first Anglo-Irish peace treaty was signed on its grounds, the start of Norman influence on the island. Two years later the Norman commander Raymond FitzGerald (Le Gros) married Basila de Clare within the abbey walls. Legend also has King Henry II spending Lent of 1172 here in penance for the murder of Thomas Becket. Historians cannot confirm it, but Henry was in Ireland at the time, reportedly held up by a storm, so the story is at least plausible.
The standing stonework belongs to the second foundation, set up around 1190 by Alexander de la Roche, ancestor of the Barons Fermoy. Built with Dundry stone and dressed granite, the priory was an important Augustinian centre and hosted a synod in 1240. It was suppressed in 1542 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, then badly damaged in 1649 when Cromwell’s forces sacked Wexford. The abbey’s bells were shipped to Chester and ended up in a Liverpool church.
In 1826 the Church of Ireland built a new Protestant church inside the abbey precinct, reusing the medieval tower as a belfry and sacristy. That building closed in the 1950s, and its roof was deliberately taken off to dodge taxation, which is how the skeletal ruin came to be. Guides often round things off with the ‘Wexford Knight’ legend, a crusader who came home to find his betrothed had taken vows as a nun.
What to see
A tour focuses on a handful of features:
- The 14th-century bell tower – built from durable Dundry stone, it dominates the site. The interior spiral staircase is too narrow for visitors, but the upper exterior platform looks out over Wexford’s old streets and the town walls.
- Medieval church fragments – parts of the original nave and chancel walls survive, with pointed arches that once divided the aisles, enough to read the priory’s former scale.
- The carved grotesque head – above a south-wall window sits a stone carving often taken for a gargoyle. Gargoyles work as water spouts; this one is a chimera, purely decorative and probably meant as a protective or playful flourish.
- The graveyard – the north boundary wall encloses the old cemetery, with several weathered headstones and markers from the 19th-century church.
The guides are volunteers from the Wexford Lions Club, mixing archaeology with local oral history. Their commentary runs about 45 minutes and includes the adjacent Westgate Heritage Centre.
Practical information
Selskar Abbey is run as part of the Westgate Heritage Tower complex, and as a protected National Monument (Reference no. 445) it is strictly guided and seasonal.
- When to visit: Tours run Monday to Saturday at 11am, July and August only, departing from the Westgate Heritage Centre.
- Admission: €5 per person, covering the tour of the ruins and entry to the heritage centre.
- Booking and contact: Call ahead, especially on peak summer weekends. Phone: +353 86 352 6133.
- What to bring: Wear sturdy flat shoes; the ground is uneven stone and compacted earth. The site is exposed, so a light jacket and sun protection are worth having whatever the season.
- Accessibility: The grounds are not wheelchair accessible, owing to the age of the ruins, uneven surfaces and narrow paths.
Getting there
The abbey is right in the heart of Wexford Town, so it is easy on foot or by public transport. From the bus station or railway stop, head south along South Main Street, cross the River Slaney by the bridge, and turn right onto Church Lane. Follow it to Tower Court, where the abbey gates and heritage centre are.
Street parking nearby is limited and often restricted. If you are driving in, use a public car park such as the Westgate Car Park or Riverside Car Park, both a five-minute walk away.
Nearby attractions
Selskar fits neatly into a wider tour of Wexford’s medieval and maritime past:
- Westgate Heritage Tower – the 13th-century gatehouse that houses the heritage centre and is the departure point for tours.
- River Slaney promenade – a walkway following the water past old quays and newer town-centre developments. (River Slaney)
- Dunbrody Famine Ship – in New Ross, a museum and replica ship on the Great Famine and Irish emigration. (Dunbrody Famine Ship)
- Ferns – a historic market town 15 minutes inland, with a cathedral, castle ruins and ancient high crosses. (Ferns)
Aim for a summer morning and turn up at the Westgate Heritage Centre about ten minutes before 11am. The guides keep groups small so everyone can hear, which means a busy weekend can fill up.