Welcome to Garra

Garra is a special little townland in County Wexford, Ireland. Long, long ago, it was part of an ancient kingdom called Hy Kinsellagh, ruled by the Kings of Leinster. Imagine living in a kingdom with real kings and queens!

Even though it's small, Garra has a big heart and a rich history. One of the most exciting things that happened here was the discovery of an old castle called Ballyorley Castle. This castle has been standing for hundreds of years, since the 16th century! That's even older than your great-great-great-great-grandparents! The castle was home to a powerful family called the Sinnotts, who were famous in Ireland many years ago.

Garra is also home to beautiful fields and farmlands. It has always been a place where people grow crops and raise animals. The land is so fertile and green, just like the rest of Ireland.

So, even though nothing like a dragon attack or a superhero landing has happened in Garra, it's still a magical place. It's filled with stories of kings, ancient families, old castles and lovely green fields. Sometimes, the most ordinary places have the most extraordinary stories.

  1. What was the ancient kingdom that Garra was part of?
  2. What is the name of the old castle in Garra and who was it home to?
  3. What are the fields and farmlands in Garra used for?
  4. Why do you think the author describes Garra as having a 'big heart'?
  5. If you could add a new story to the history of Garra, what would it be about and why?

All About Garra

Hello, young explorers! Today we're setting off on a journey to Garra Co. Wexford, a charming place in Ireland.

Garra is located in beautiful countryside full of green fields! There aren't many big streets here, but there are winding country lanes perfect for adventures! One of the most exciting things about Garra is its rich flora and fauna. You'll find lots of different plants, flowers, and trees that make the area green and vibrant. This is also a home for many animals, like rabbits, foxes, and various species of birds.

Garra doesn't have any big mountains or rivers, but it's near the sea, which means the beach isn’t far away! Imagine building sandcastles and finding seashells!

There aren't many pieces of street furniture like bus stops or benches because this is the countryside. But, there are plenty of farmhouses, stone walls, and hedgerows to discover.

So, Garra Co. Wexford may not have towering skyscrapers or busy city streets, but it's filled with nature's beauty, and it's a great place to explore and learn about the environment. Pack your adventure spirit, and let's go exploring!.

  1. What types of animals and plants can you find in Garra Co. Wexford?
  2. Describe the geographical features of Garra Co. Wexford. Does it have mountains or rivers?
  3. Explore the area yourself. What is one thing of geographical interest you found?
  4. Using a map of Garra Co. Wexford, can you identify and describe one of the winding country lanes?
  5. Why do you think there aren't many pieces of street furniture like bus stops or benches in Garra?

My Family and Garra

Hi, I'm Hayden and I just turned 8! I live in a place called Garra in County Wexford. It's really cool here. We have a big mountain named Mount Leinster right nearby where we can hike and see the whole town from the top. My dad says it's the highest point in the whole county!

There's also the River Slaney that runs through our town. In the summer, my friends and I go swimming there and sometimes we have picnics too. It's super fun. Dad likes to fish there. He caught a big one last time but I think it was just luck.

One thing I really love about Garra is the old castle. It's called Ferns Castle and it's very, very old. Like, older than my granddad. I like to think about knights and princesses who might have lived there a long time ago. I'm sure they would have liked my town as much as I do.

  1. What is the name of the mountain near Hayden's town?
  2. What activities does Hayden enjoy doing at the River Slaney?
  3. Who does Hayden think might have lived in Ferns Castle a long time ago?
  4. How does Hayden feel about living in Garra?
  5. What did Hayden's dad catch at the River Slaney?

The Logainm of Garra

Garra is a lovely spot in County Wexford, Ireland. The name Garra is actually an Irish word, or logainm, which means a grove of trees. A long time ago, this place might have been filled with lots of trees, which is probably why it got this name. People used to live here many, many years ago, and they would use the trees for many things, like building houses and making fires to keep warm.

Today, if you visited Garra, you might not see the same grove of trees that gave it its name. But, there are still lots of beautiful sights to see and plenty of green fields. So, even though things have changed, the name Garra reminds us of the place's history and what it used to be like.

  1. What does the word Garra mean in English?
  2. Why do you think Garra got its name?
  3. What might people have used the trees for in the past?
  4. How has Garra changed from the past to the present?
  5. Why is it important to know the meaning of place names?

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