Pierces Foundry Wexford, The Rise, and Fall of an Industrial Giant!
June 22 @ 11:00 - 12:00
Pierces Foundry Wexford, The Rise, and Fall of an Industrial Giant!
This illustrated talk takes place on 22nd June at 11am in the castle Ballroom. It will give an insight into the Rise and Fall of Pierces Foundry.
It will discuss the circumstances around the firm’s formation in the mid-19th century and look at its rise from humble beginnings which would see the firm become the largest foundry in Ireland, and finally consider its eventual decline and sale by the Pierce family in the 1960s.
Pierce implements can still be found on many farms and in homes throughout Ireland. Plus, there are still traces of this once mighty foundry to be found throughout Co Wexford.
The main entrance to the sheet metal works still survives on the Distillery Road. It is a constant reminder of the many workers who passed through the firm’s gates. At the height of its success the firm built three different terraces of houses for its workers, Albina Terrace, Casa Rio and Avenue De Flaunders all of which are still in use today.
The railings which surround Wexford’s twin churches were manufactured by the firm, as was the Castlebridge conservatory. These items were manufactured by hand in the forge of James Pierce. They are works of the most intricate design and testify to the pride and skill of the craftsmen of bygone days.
**PLEASE NOTE: The talk starts at 11am. Please arrive 15 minutes before start time as talk takes place in the castle.**