Tacumshane Windmill in south Wexford has its roots in the Norman invasion.
Baginbun beach on the Hook Peninsula is the site of the Norman landing of 1170. It is forever connected to the huge changes in Irish society which took place following the influx of Norman warlords and soldiers from Britain in the twelfth century. History books can give the impression that this was a homogenous group, but as journalist and lexicographer Diarmaid Ó Muirithe explains, Flemish, English and Welsh soldiers and artisans were also present. They eventually settled in what are now the baronies of Forth and Bargy.
Surnames like Codd, Connick, Furlong, Bolger, Stafford, Roche and Whitty are evident in this part of Wexford, and Diarmaid Ó Muirithe finds it remarkable that the original settlers
Never mingled with the native Irish.
These communities spoke Yola, a dialect of Middle English, which survived until the middle of the nineteenth century. Known for their skills in farming and fishing, they escaped the hardships of the Famine years.
One report from the time states that in stark contrast to large swathes of the country, the relatively isolated communities of Forth and Bargy,
Carried on eating meat twice a day.
Windmills were also a common feature of this corner of Wexford in the past. Tacumshane Windmill near Carnsore Point was built in 1846 and is the oldest surviving windmill of its kind in Ireland.
As local historian Anthony McCarthy explains, farmers took advantage of the geographical location and plentiful supply of wind here to power their mills. The advent of steam power marked the beginning of the end for these small windmills, which were only suitable to a farmer or a small district.
The windmill design is continental in character and is a visual reminder of the influence of the Flemish people who came over here with the Normans.
From 'Walkways’ broadcast on RTÉ Radio One on 15 July 1985. The presenter is Diarmuid Ó Muirithe.
‘Walk Ways’ was a weekly radio series in which different people invite listeners to join them on a forty five minute walkabout. Produced by Pat Leahy, it was broadcast on RTÉ Radio One from May to September 1985 and in 1986 during the summer months only.
