Wexford, county, Republic of Ireland

Wexford wĕksˈfərd [key], county (1991 pop. 102,069), 910 sq mi (2,357 sq km), SE Republic of Ireland. The county seat is the port city of Wexford. Most of the land is low and fertile, but on the western border Mt. Leinster in the Blackstairs Mts. rises to 2,610 ft (796 m). The Slaney is the principal river. Wexford is chiefly an agricultural region; wheat is the chief crop, and cattle are raised. The chief port is Rosslare. The name Wexford is Danish in origin, and evidence exists of the area's early Danish occupation.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: British and Irish Political Geography