Welcome to Barnahask

Barnahask is a really interesting townland in County Wexford, Ireland. This is a place with a lot of history!

Long, long ago, before you or even your great-grandparents were born, Barnahask was mostly farmland. People grew crops and raised animals there. Can you imagine living in a time without supermarkets, getting your food straight from the land around you?

Even though no big battles or famous events happened in Barnahask, that doesn't mean it's not important! Every place has its own story. The people who lived there worked hard, made families and built homes. They were part of shaping the area into what it is today.

One cool thing about Barnahask is that it's part of the ancient territory known as 'Bargy', which dates back over a thousand years. That's older than your school, your house, and even the oldest building you know!

So, even though Barnahask might seem like just a small spot on the map, it has a deep history that has been shaped by the people who have lived and worked on its land for centuries. Isn't that amazing?

  1. What was Barnahask mostly used for long, long ago?
  2. What is one cool thing about Barnahask?
  3. Did any big battles or famous events happen in Barnahask? Why is it still important?
  4. Why do you think it's important to learn about places like Barnahask, even if they seem small or not famous?
  5. If you lived in Barnahask long ago, how would your life be different from it is now? Use information from the text to support your answer.

All About Barnahask

Barnahask is a special place in County Wexford, Ireland. It's not a big city, but it's full of cool things! Imagine a place where you can see green fields, and old-fashioned houses. It's kind of like stepping into a storybook!

Barnahask is known for its beautiful countryside. It's a wonderful place to spot animals and plants. You might see cows and sheep munching on the grass. If you're really quiet, you might even spot a fox or a rabbit! The trees are home to many birds like robins and sparrows. If you like picking flowers, you'll find lots of buttercups and daisies here.

The area doesn't have lots of streets, but it has some interesting places. There's a pretty church in the heart of Barnahask. It's not very big, but it's old and has lots of history.

In terms of natural features, there's a river that runs close to Barnahask. It's called the Bann River. It's fun to watch the water flow and spot the tiny fish swimming. Sadly, there are no mountains, but the rolling hills are just as fun to run up and down on!

So, Barnahask may be small, but it's full of surprises and natural beauty!

  1. What kind of wildlife might you see in Barnahask?
  2. What flowers are commonly found in Barnahask?
  3. Describe a man-made feature in Barnahask and explain its significance.
  4. Using a map, can you identify the course of the Bann River?
  5. Explore Barnahask yourself and find something of geographical interest. What is it and why did you choose it?

My Family and Barnahask

Hi there! I'm Taylor and I'm 8 years old. I live in Barnahask in Co. Wexford. It's a really cool place. We have so many fields and farms and it's fun to play in. I love when we go to Barnahask Lake. It's a big lake and sometimes we see ducks there. I like to throw bread to them. My dad says it's important not to throw too much though.

There's also an old church nearby. It's called Kilnamanagh Old Parish Church. It's really old and a bit scary but I like to imagine it's a castle and I'm the king. My friend Jamie and I play there sometimes. We pretend we are knights and have sword fights. It's really fun.

We have a little shop too. It's not very big but it has all the sweeties we like. Sometimes my mom lets me pick a sweet after school. I always choose a chocolate bar. But only if I've been good!

I love living in Barnahask. There's always something to do and I've got lots of friends here. Maybe one day you can come and visit. We can go to the lake and feed the ducks together. Bye!

  1. What is the name of the lake near Taylor's home?
  2. How does Taylor feel about Kilnamanagh Old Parish Church?
  3. What does Taylor like to do at the church with Jamie?
  4. What does Taylor get at the local shop and when?
  5. What are some of the things Taylor likes about living in Barnahask?

The Logainm of Barnahask

Barnahask is a place in County Wexford, which is in the south-east of Ireland. You might wonder what 'Barnahask' means. Well, it's an English name that comes from the Irish name 'Bearnan Easpaig', which means 'gap of the bishop'. This name tells us a little story about this place. A long time ago, a bishop (a very important person in the church) used to travel through this gap or pass when he was on his journeys. Now, isn't that interesting?

Today, Barnahask is a peaceful area with beautiful fields and farms. People live there just like in any other place in Ireland. Even though times have changed, the name 'Barnahask' reminds us of the bishop and his journeys through the gap. So, every time someone says 'Barnahask', they are also telling a small part of a very old story!

  1. What does the name 'Barnahask' mean in English?
  2. Who used to travel through the 'gap' in Barnahask?
  3. Why do you think the place was named after the bishop's gap?
  4. How does the name 'Barnahask' link to the present day?
  5. Can you think of any other place names that might tell a story?

Slideshow - Barnahask
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Barnahask