Discover Newbawn

Newbawn brings together the history of an unusual farmhouse and the architecture of a Catholic church. Nearby, the Carrickbyrne Hill–Forge Trail offers a contrast in scenery, with forest paths, mixed woodland and open ground. Here, the view leads from the built heritage of the village out into the landscape.

Newbawn House: farmhouse history and a T-shaped plan

Newbawn House is a detached, two-storey farmhouse with five bays and an attic storey with dormers. It was built in 1686 and has a T-shaped plan. As a significant part of Newbawn’s domestic built heritage, the house tells the story of a distinctive rural building form. Its roof was originally thatched—a detail that adds to the building’s historic character.

The group of buildings comprising Newbawn House and the adjoining farm buildings also has historical connections: it is associated with the Sweetman and Cadogan families. Nicholas Sweetman, one of those connected with the Sweetman family, is described as a prominent rebel leader in 1798. The house was occupied in 1911, abandoned in 1980 and is now unused; its condition may change.

Church architecture in stone and brass

The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic church in Newbawn, County Wexford, in the Diocese of Ferns. It was built between 1889 and 1896 and consecrated in 1896. It was designed by William Hague (1836–99) of Dawson Street, Dublin. Honey-coloured and blue-green fieldstone are combined with dressed stone elements made from Collop’s-Well granite. Together, the materials create a subtle polychromatic effect.

The historic furnishings include polished brass memorials commemorating Reverend Philip Devereux VG (died 1795) and Reverend John Doyle PP (died 1901). Together with the construction dates and consecration, these details give the church its own historical and architectural character. Visitors interested in architectural history will find that Newbawn offers a different focus from the farmhouse plan of Newbawn House.

Forest paths and open ground on Carrickbyrne Hill

Near Newbawn, the Carrickbyrne Hill–Forge Trail follows forestry roads, forest paths and quiet country roads. The route passes through mixed woodland and open ground on the south-western slopes of Carrickbyrne Hill. It offers peaceful walking and views of the surrounding landscape. The contrast between tree-lined sections and open ground provides a scenic counterpoint to the stone buildings in the village.

This brings different interests into the travel-planning picture: Newbawn’s history and building forms, or the landscape along the nearby trail. You can use this distinction as a guide when choosing a holiday rental, without treating the two as the same focus.

County Wexford as the wider setting

The wider destination of County Wexford offers further, distinct attractions. The Irish National Heritage Park is a 35-acre open-air museum with 16 reconstructed sites. Activities, reconstructions, workshops and courses are aimed at visitors of all ages. Guided tours at Hook Lighthouse share 800 years of lighthouse history; the lighthouse is located at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford.

At Johnstown Castle, the Irish Agricultural Museum displays agricultural machinery, vehicles and artefacts, some of which are up to 100 years old. A tour of Johnstown Castle also includes an 86-metre-long underground servants’ passage. If you plan to take these tours, check the current arrangements in advance. The regional examples offer different points of interest, from reconstructed sites and lighthouse history to agricultural collections. When searching for a holiday rental, it helps to decide first whether Newbawn’s local history and the nearby trail are your main focus, or whether you would rather plan your trip around specific destinations in County Wexford.

Discover more destinations: Carne, Castlebridge, Wexford, Courtown, Ardamine, Enniscorthy, Saint Helen’s, Bannow Bay.

For the wider travel overview: County Wexford.