Historic Town

New Ross - A Long History

The Norman town of Ros Mhic Triuin was one of the first Irish towns to be developed by the Normans. It is traditionally believed to have been founded by the Earl of Pembroke, William Marshall, his wife Isabella deClare, daughter of Strongbow and Eva MacMurrough, between 1192 and1207.

The town was developed in a strategic location near the manorial centre at Old Ross and was intended to serve as a port for the Marshall ands of the Barrow, Nore and Suir valleys. By 1210 William Marshall had built so fine a bridge that the new town became known as Ros ponte and subsequently New Ross. By the first half of the thirteenth century New Ross had established itself asa successful port due to its key location. By the end of the century customreturns showed that it was the busiest port in Ireland.

Visitor Map of Main Points of Interest in New Ross

Tourist Map of New Ross (PDF Document, 175 kbs)