County Wexford takes its name from the principal town, Wexford, founded by Vikings and named by them Waesfjord, meaning "inlet of the mud-flats" in the Old Norse language. The highest point in the county is Mt Leinster (795 m, 2610 ft). The economy is chiefly agricultural; however there is also much maritime activity. Wexford was the site of an invasion by Anglo-Normans in 1169 at the behest of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster.
County Wexford was one of the main regions in which the 1798 rebellion was fought. There were significant battles at Enniscorthy and Boolavogue, the latter being remembered in a famous ballad.
Principal Towns