Cumann Seanchais Bhanú

In the words of historian Fr. Thomas Butler O.S.A

"As a parish it is beautifully situated; to the North and North-West lie the wooded slopes above the Coragh river which divides it from Clongeen and Taghmon; on the West the Coragh opens out into 'the little sea', as it is locally called, giving the appearance of a huge inland lake at high tide, keeping Tintern and its ancient abbey at a safe distance, while, to the South lies the Bar of Lough over which the rough Atlantic lashes its fury in winter, but provides in summer many safe bathing spots for tourists. To the East and North-East are the parishes of Rathangan and Taghmon respectively."
Of the people in Bannow Fr. Butler writes:
"We have seen that at different periods in its history Bannow Bay has been a gateway to Ireland: for early stone-age man, for Christian missionary and for Norman adventurer; that here in this parish has mingled the blood of Celt and Dane, Norman and Saxon, to form a race of people, independent in character, kindly and gentle in disposition and ever loyal to faith and fatherland. They have retained throughout the vicissitudes of the centuries, a hospital demeanour, a joie de vivre that transcends all misfortunes and a down-to-earth approach to life, in their work and play. "
"perhaps (they), have in their veins more Norman-Flemish blood than any other parish outside of South Wexford and yet who, in their tradition and culture, are 'more Irish than the Irish themselves'

Excerpts taken from "A Parish and Its People" by Fr. Thomas Butler O.S.A