Wexford is already well into plans for a suitable bi centenary celebration of 1798, according to the journal of the Dublin Wexford Association - and, as usual this, their year book, contains articles of humour, including a Garda Sergeant's successful production of meade from the honey of his own bees (the wine of the Czars, he declared), and topographical and historical and social items which make of the publication a splendid miscellany.
There is a powerful piece from Avril Doyle TD, the Minister, on the real meaning and the present day relevance of 1798. "Rather than seeing religious, ethnic and political diversity as a disabling problem," she said, "the United Irishmen saw it as a glorious opportunity to construct a wider, more tolerant and generous vision of Irish identity. Rather than clinging on to a divisive past, the United Irishmen sought to create a shared future."
Not so much pikes and mayhem and murder should be stressed in the 1998 commemorations but the living principles of democracy and pluralism. It is a good strong piece - the text of a speech at the launch of Friends of Comoradh 98 in Johnstown Castle in November last. And if you aren't well up on the Directory of Eight - four Protestants and four Catholics - and the Senate of 500, you can learn something here and will the more so in 98.
And some wise words of Minister Brendan Howlin deserve investigation another day. But, as said before, it is a miscellany, with humour and information and easy, relaxed reading. There is matter topographical and historical. The town itself is known for its unique distinction in the opera world, due to the efforts of the late Dr Tom Walsh. The county, says the journal, can boast of holding the oldest Christmas Carol Service in Europe, which it has done since 1880, featuring the famous "Kilmore Carols" composed by Dr Luke Wadding, Bishop of Ferns 1685-88.
And, says the article, another distinction is in the oldest surviving Irish love song "Eibhlin, a ruin", composed, it is said, by Ceathall Mor O Dalaigh in 1390 to his sweetheart Eibhlin or Eleanor Kavanagh, whose father wanted her to marry a big Anglo Norman suitor. But among the wedding guests, the lovers slipped away. And so on.
Dick Roche, well known and respected journalist edits Wexford with grace. Price £2.50. Publishers Avelbury Ltd. Drumcondra, Dublin 9.