Killurin

Castle

A Norman Castle was built at the Deeps (Crossabeg) on the edge of the River Slaney in the 14th or 15th century. This castle, called the Deeps Castle, although now in ruins, is notable as one of the few remaining examples of a Tower House of its kind. Forty years after Cromwell's invasion of Wexford, William of Orange fought and defeated the troops of his brother-in law, James 11 of England at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. James is said to have stayed in hiding at the Deeps Castle. The castle itself has recently fallen into grave disrepair. The main chimney in the south wall collapsed into the building, weakening the entire structure and altering the distinctive skyline of the area.

The Deeps Castle is not actually located in Killurin, as is often incorrectly stated. It is located in the parish of Crossabeg, adjacent to the parish boundary offered by the River Slaney. The nearby County Landfill is usually called the Killurin Landfill, in order to avoid confusion, as it is located closer to Killurin than it is to Crossabeg village itself.

Archaeology

In the 1950s, Martin Freeman discovered an ancient urn, which is now preserved in the National Museum. He discovered the urn and other artifacts in the sandpit, which spanned his land (Laffan-Freeman farm) and that of the present pig-fattening unit. This sandpit was the source of the sand which built many of Co. Wexford's schools in the 1940s and '50s.

Railway

The Dublin-Wexford-Rosslare railway line runs through Killurin along the west bank of the River Slaney. During the years of the Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War in the 1920s, the railway was frequently the target of the local IRA unit, the Kyle Flying Column, commanded by Bob Lambert. Several trains were derailed and rolling stock was destroyed during attempts to disrupt the communication between Dublin and Wexford.

Transport

Bus Éireann route 382 serves Killurin on Fridays, linking it to Wexford town.