Killanne is a small rural village with strong community spirit. The surrounding soils and rich grasslands are well drained and have supported farming for centuries. Farms have been passed down through generations, and with them stories and songs remembering the role locals played in important historical events.
The Sevens monument at Killanne crossroads honours Captain John Kelly who was born nearby in 1776. At only 22, he joined and fought in the 1798 United Irish Rebellion. His skill and bravery as a Wexford rebel leader and his heroic deeds are recalled in the song ‘Kelly, the Boy from Killanne.’ Other locals were also involved. Pikes, important weapons at the time, were produced in the local blacksmith’s forge and in the barn at Rackard’s pub.
For most of the 1900s, Rackard’s pub was home to one of the most famous families in the history of Wexford hurling. Hurling is a Gaelic game, and this stick-and-ball field sport is the most important in the area. Three Rackard brothers, Nickey, Bobby, and Billy, helped County Wexford win two All-Ireland Hurling Championships in 1955 and 1956. Nickey is considered the finest hurler Wexford ever produced. He still holds national scoring records and is remembered locally in the song ‘Cúchulainn’s Son.’ Bobby ran the pub until his death in 1996. Its recent refurbishment under the Rackard name is a sign of the admiration for the family and the hurling legacy of the area.