duncannon fort

Because of its prominent location the fort has been of strategic importance throughout the centuries. During the British Occupation it was described as "The Second Fort of the Realm" and bore the title "The Royal Fort of Duncannon".
Since it was built, there have been many notable visitors to the fort, including Saint Oliver Plunkett, King James II and William of Orange. The threats of the Spanish Armada, Napoleon and Hitler were responsible for the refurbishment and strengthening of the Fort.
The Fort remained in the control of the British Government until the War of Independence in 1919. It was set alight by the old IRA in 1922 and lay in ruins until the outbreak of World War II. It was then rebuilt and occupied by the army. When the garrison was withdrawn at the end of the war, the army, navy, air corp and F.C.A. continued to use it as a summer camp on a diminishing scale until 1986. In 1993 the department of defence handed the fort to Wexford County Council.

The Village owes its existence to the Fort itself, with the first settlements reputedly being in the third century A.D. By the 1870's Duncannon had gained much commercial success. This progress aided the introduction of a steamer service to New Ross and Waterford. At one stage the village grew to a point where it could boast five churches, three schools, a hospital, five pubs and a cinema. Duncannon is now a beautiful and friendly fishing village bustling with life in the summer and offering a warm welcome to the visitor.