Charlotte Street is a small street in the centre of Wexford Town. It runs between North Main Street and the quay.
The street was formerly known as Custom House Lane. Local historian Nicky Rossiter suggests it may also have been called Courthouse Lane because of its proximity to the old Wexford Courthouse.
The street may be named after either Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales, who died following childbirth at the age of 21, or Queen Charlotte (1744–1818), wife of George III. There is debate over which of the two is the namesake. Some favour the princess, while others argue that Queen Charlotte is the more likely candidate. They note that most Charlotte Streets in Ireland were named after the queen.
If the street is named after the princess, she would have become queen regnant had she outlived her father, but she died before him.
Local authorities attempted to rename the street Colbert Street in 1920, but voters rejected the proposal in a 1932 plebiscite. The authorities likely chose the name Colbert in honour of Con Colbert, an Irish rebel executed by firing squad for his role in the 1916 Rising.
It is best known for the former Centenary Stores nightclub, which operated from 1988 until its closure in October 2024.
The street also hosted the Charlotte Street Festival, which the Centenary Stores launched in 2015. The festival featured live music, family activities, and an outdoor beer garden. The festival has since ended following the closure of the Centenary Stores.
Map
A map showing its location: