13. TNW Countryside features

We thought it might be helpful to explain some of the sights you will see as you cycle through the countryside on your way to Kilmore Quay. Take note of how a lot of the trees have been shaped by the prevailing south-west wind. It is no wonder the area had so many windmills in days past! Another tree feature that is possibly the most tangible remainder of the Normans is explained at our later point of interest entitled 'Kilmore wooden crosses'. 
 
 We should warn you that some pranksters do enjoy changing the direction of signs in rural parts, so if in doubt, please check the location of your next point of interest on your smartphone!

 No sniggering at the back there - another unusual feature in these parts is the preponderance of phallic gateposts. These are a conflation of two Celtic - or pre Celtic monuments. The phallic boundary marker and the pairs of pillar stones which were a magical agent whereby the fertility of beasts was ensured by driving them through such, usually phallic form or male and females stones.

 A number of sites on our tour (St. Catherine's, Isharton) also have bullauns - artificial hemispherical hollows in rocks or boulders. It has been suggested they served as pestles and mortars for herbal portions. The sexual symbol of pestle and mortar is universal and when you find female symbols, you find a complementary male one as well. In nearby Carnsore, there are a number of Sheela na Gigs to be found.

 If cycling during the summer months, you should expect to see the houses and gardens festooned in the purple and yellow colours of the senior Wexford hurling team. Known locally as the Yellow Bellies (a term that now applies to allow people from Wexford as you'll have gathered from our earlier post), the team is usually a serious contender for the ultimate prize of the hurling calendar, the Liam McCarthy cup. This cup is awarded to the victor of the All Ireland hurling final every first Sunday in September. It is a big deal and watching a game alone has been known to exhaust viewers from excitement, hockey on steroids sort of thing - you have been warned! 

Narrator: Heather Hadrill
Text: John Ward

The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
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