Mary’s Lane

Mary’s Lane is an old, narrow lane in the centre of Wexford Town, running parallel to South Main Street from Peter Street to Bride Street. It was also known as Bride Lane, named after the parish of St. Bridget.

The lane takes its name from the old Norse-Irish parish of St. Mary’s. At the southern end, close to Bride Street, is the entrance to the ruins of St. Mary’s Church, which dates from the Middle Ages.

Mary's Lane, Wexford
The southern end of the lane. In the background, the locked gates of St. Mary’s Church and graveyard stand at the top of a flight of stone steps. Both ends of Mary’s Lane are occupied by residential properties.

The lane is one of the few remaining examples of how ordinary working-class Wexford people once lived, in small terraced houses along narrow lanes.

Originally used as malt houses, the old buildings flanking the Peter Street entrance date back to the early 1800s. Colman Doyle Homestores used them for storage and retail for many years. The business closed in February 2020 following the death of its owner, and the properties were sold at auction in September 2023.

Mary's Lane, Wexford
In the middle of Mary’s Lane, another downward-sloping lane connects to South Main Street, opposite Oyster Lane. This is called Mann’s Lane. The section at the top is locally known as Tippex Alley.

Map

A map showing its location:

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