Maritime records

Wexford town and county share a rich maritime heritage, which is reflected in some of the county archive’s maritime holdings. Wexford port has been a pivotal feature in the town’s landscape from the time of the arrival of the Vikings. The development and maintenance of the port for well over a century is aptly depicted in the Wexford Harbour Commissioners’ archive. Some of our maritime holdings include:

Arrivals to and sailings from Wexford harbour, 1904-22

Arrivals to and sailings from Wexford harbour, 1904-22

Wexford Harbour Commissioners’ archive

The Wexford Harbour Commissioners, an elected body of commissioners, were responsible for raising money for the maintenance and improvement of Wexford harbour. Records record the daily administration of the port through minute books (1857-1955) in addition to maintenance of the quays and developments in the harbour and port.

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 108
  • Title: Wexford Harbour Commissioners’ archive
  • Dates: 1831 – 1973
  • Level of description: Finding aid
  • Extent: 15 boxes
  • Access: By appointment only

 

Account of Wexford Corporation for improving the town, bar and harbour of Wexford

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 016
  • Title: The account of the Corporation for improving the town, bar and harbour of Wexford for one year ended 5 January 1819
  • Dates: 1819
  • Level of description: Finding aid
  • Extent: 1 item
  • Access: By appointment only

Letter book, Commissioners for improving the town bar and harbour of Wexford

Letter book generated by the Commissioners for improving the town bar and harbour of Wexford. Includes minutes of the Commissioners for the period 1843-45

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 320
  • Title: Letter book
  • Dates: 1821-58
  • Level of description: Pending
  • Extent: 1 item
  • Access: By appointment only

 

Act for improving & maintaining the harbour of Wexford

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 094
  • Title: An Act for improving, maintaining and regulating the Harbour of Wexford in the County of Wexford
  • Dates: 1843
  • Level of description: Finding aid
  • Extent: 1 item
  • Access: By appointment only

Chart of Wexford harbour

Chart of Wexford harbour surveyed by G. A. Frazer, M.R.I.A. Commander of HMS ‘Lucifer’, 1845 and corrected by him in 1856 (published at the Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty, 8 Dec 1846)

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 323
  • Title: Wexford harbour chart
  • Dates: 1845
  • Level of description: Finding aid
  • Extent: 1 item
  • Access: By appointment only
Wexford Harbour Chart 1845

Wexford Harbour Chart 1845

Pilot log books

Log books for the ‘Querida’ (1857-62); brig ‘Alert’ (1866) and brig ‘Fame’ (1870)

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 320
  • Title: Pilot log books
  • Dates: 1857-70
  • Level of description: Pending
  • Extent: 3 items
  • Access: By appointment only

Pilot’s licence

Pilot’s licence issued by Wexford Harbour Commissioners to Lawrence McGrath, Wexford to pilot all vessels within the Wexford Pilotage District

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 222
  • Title: Pilot’s licence
  • Dates: 1892
  • Level of description: Finding aid
  • Extent: 1 item
  • Access: By appointment only

 

Richard Lawlor diary

Full transcription of a handwritten diary originally compiled by Richard Lawlor of Rostoonstown, Tacumshane, Co. Wexford recounting his experiences over a 3-year period (June 1915 – Oct 1918) aboard the S.S. ‘Orbita’

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 255
  • Title: Diary of Richard Lawlor aboard the S.S. ‘Orbita’
  • Dates: 1915-18
  • Level of description: Finding aid
  • Extent: 1 item
  • Access: By appointment only

 

Report on the future of Wexford harbour

Newspaper report from The Free Press, 22 Oct 1932

  • Ref code: IE WXCA / P 095
  • Title: Report on future of Wexford harbour
  • Dates: 1932
  • Level of description: Finding aid
  • Extent: 1 item
  • Access: By appointment only