Sinn Féin TD advised to ‘chill the beans' as debate over Wexford's involvement in Norman celebrations continues – ‘we will not bow the knee in 2027'

Irish Independent

10-07-2025

Describing the celebrations, many of which will take place in Co Wexford, as 'scraping the barrel of colonialism, imperialism and English royalism', Deputy Ó Snodaigh has now accused members of WCC of smearing him as 'anti-Norman'. Responding to a discussion in Wexford County Hall during a council meeting, the deputy said he was 'highly amused' by the 'outrage' his comments had caused and hoped director of services, Eamonn Hore, had calmed down after reading them.
Now Mr Hore has moved to defend Wexford's involvement in the 2027 celebrations and his own position on the event..
'I was both surprised and amused to read Deputy Ó Snodaigh's most recent polemic on the European Year of the Normans,' said Mr Hore. 'And surprised to see the deputy enquiring if I had a chance to recover. Well, the deputy's concern continues to bring a smile to my face every time I reflect on this. And I have calmed down.'
Mr Hore's surprise extended to the deputy's take on the European Year of the Normans and its place in the Wexford calendar.
"Clearly, he has not checked it out properly and still does not get it. As posted on the Embassy of France in Ireland's Facebook page last week, it is 'an opportunity to revisit this common cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage, through several major public events'. Hardly the reconquest of Ireland or the re-introduction of the penal laws.'
Noting that Deputy Ó Snodaigh latest discourse on the subject referenced 'apartheid', 'pioneering landlords of yore', and 'a public relations exercise by a right wing regional coalition government', Mr Hore noted that this followed on from earlier invocations of Cromwell, the Famine Queen (Victoria), and 'scraping the barrel of colonialism'.
"This is pretty sensationalist and over the top stuff, no matter which way you look at it,' said the WCC official.
Happy to concede that the Sinn Féin deputy's comments on his own Norman heritage were 'reasonable and on point', Mr Hore, however, was less complimentary on the assumed lack of detail and preparation which has gone into the European Year of the Normans celebrations in Co Wexford.
'Deputy O' Snodaigh said in a radio interview with Seán Moncrieff that Minister Browne 'leapt in both feet first', that it is not properly planned, that this is being done in a haphazard way, that there is no real purpose to it, that the title is cobbled together, that it is only to promote Normandy, that William the Conqueror is being specifically celebrated, that this is not related to Ireland, that no thought has been put into it.
"All incorrect deputy if you care to examine in more detail.
'Simply put for Wexford, this is a continuation of WCC's initiatives in developing the Norman Way, commencing back in 2016; the New Ross Municipal District's (NRMD) successful application to develop the Norman Centre in New Ross; the development of the New Ross High Hill Norman Gardens; the tourist trail around the magnificent St. Mary's Church; and the wall murals project highlighting aspects of New Ross town's Norman past and heritage.
"This is allied with the magnificent work and interpretation of Norman Wexford that is Ferns Castle, the home of Diarmuid MacMurrough, King of Leinster. MacMurrough was 'legally' tried in Ferns in 2019 as part of the Norman 850th anniversary events. The overwhelming verdict of the trial was not guilty. We will be calling for a re-trial in 2027. Perhaps Deputy O 'Snodaigh would like to function as a Brehon for the re-trial.'
In addition to these events, Mr Hore also noted the work of the Ros Tapestries, the visit of the French Ambassador to New Ross in 2022, and the 'history, culture, agriculture, stories, legends, recently discovered medieval documents, festivals, fun and architecture' which will all form the basis of Wexford's involvement in the 2027 celebrations.
Taking umbrage with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's suggestion that many in Wexford would voice their dissent at the county's participation in the event, Mr Hore said recent history proved otherwise.
'Here in Wexford fully one third of all surnames are Norman, the highest percentage in the country,' he said. 'The Wexford heraldic crest includes Norman references and also pays homage to our great rebel past, you will not go far in Wexford without encountering a pike. Many of us wear pike pins.
'The crest of New Ross features William Marshal's bridge, and a stag and hound – all references to our Norman past. The GAA crest of the Bannow Ballymitty club features a Norman Knight on horseback fully armoured. The crest of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) features the Norman heritage building of Johnstown Castle – as does the crest of St. Martin's GAA Club. The RMD crest includes the words – Vor a Gooude O' Aul, our ancient Norman-related Yola language which, when translated, means 'For the Good of All' and that is what we are endeavouring to do with this compelling and exciting project.
'As Davy Fitzgerald once said 'chill the beans'. I think the deputy should chill the beans. If you throw down a gauntlet to Wexford people, we will gladly accept the challenge. We have been acknowledging our Norman heritage for many years in the correct way – I do not think any of us have converted to royalism yet and we will not bow the knee in 2027."