View of Enniscorthy
by SANDBY, Paul, Pencil, watercolour and gouache, 343 x 470 mm
This picture depicts a view of Enniscorthy and the bridge, County Wexford, Ireland, with figures unloading a boat.
Enniscorthy is a small town in the north of County Wexford which grew up around the Castle which was crenellated by the Prendergast family in 1205, and which was the home of the poet Edmund Spencer in the 16th century. A Franciscan Friary was established on the riverbank to the south of the castle in 1459. The present bridge, seen in Sandby’s gouache, was constructed by the Oriel brothers in 1775, thus giving a terminus ante quem for the dating of the picture.