Selskar Abbey is a built heritage timeline of the history of Wexford Town from the arrival of the Normans in 1169 to the present day. The final element of architecture is a Gothic Revival Protestant church, built between 1824 and 1826 and consecrated in November 1826.  
While much has been written about the earlier history of the site, very little attention has been given to the building, use and subsequent de-consecration of the Protestant church of St. Selskar. 

The first mention of a discontinuation of services at the church is recorded in 1866; the final service took place 98 years later.  

Why did St. Selskar church close when it did? Was it ever in fact needed, as the fine church of St Iberius stood on the Main Street less than .5km from Selskar? 

Selskar church symbolises an important chapter in the social history of Wexford and this talk will examine the rise and decline of the Protestant population from the building of the church in 1824-26 to the removal of the roof in the autumn of 1961.

BIO: Rosemary Hartigan grew up in Mulgannon at a time when it was still considered the countryside.  She is a long time member of Wexford Lions Club and part of their Volunteer tour guide team at Selskar Abbey.  Graduating from SETU's Wexford campus in 2020, Rosemary's thesis was on the 'new' church at the site.  She followed her degree in Culture & Heritage Studies with a post grad at UL in Public History and Cultural Heritage. 

Rosemary is the current Chair of Wexford Arts Centre - Ireland's oldest regional arts centre and is delighted to be part of an organisation celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2024. She is also a committee member and PRO of Wexford Historical Society.  Rosemary is a full time Celebrant, creating and delivering weddings, funerals and ceremonies for all of life's milestones.

Booking is essential for this event. 

Should you require additional supports to attend any of our events, please contact Wexford Library 053-9196760 or email: wexfordlibrary@wexfordcoco.ie