Been in Wexford for 2 and a half years… Never stumbled into this place yet. What a regret! The service, atmosphere and food is phenomenal. Will definitely be coming again and bringing the folks.
Shmigi
| Google Review
Simon Lambert & Sons occupies a building that dates to the 1820’s and is situated in an area that once formed an integral part of Wexford’s Medieval landscape. The earliest definitive evidence for Viking activity in Wexford town dates to 888AD. The initial Norse base likely existed on South Main Street.
The Viking town of Weisfjord was established in the early 10th century between King Street to the South and Anne Street to the North. The original medieval town layout has largely persisted, although later invaders such as the Normans in the 12th Century, also made an impact (http://www.archaeology.ie).
The building has hosted shipwrights, grocers, brewers, and boot makers. Even a mayor of Wexford has been part of the story of 37 South Main Street. The vertical natural slate cladding on the front and side walls replaced the original Welsh blue bangers that adorned the exterior until relatively recently.
The imported blue bangers were used as ballast until they were placed in the shipyard located to the rear of the premises. Before the 19th Century. The sea at Wexford Bay reached the back of this property. There still exists evidence of the pre-existing quay front beneath the building.
Evidence suggests but does not confirm that Kate Codd Grocer occupied the building from 1885. By 1891 the occupants of E. Hayes and Co. boot makers were operating from the premises. The first pub to open its doors on the site was owned by Christina Dillon who put it up for sale in 1936.
It changed hands in the late 1930-early 1940’s and became the property of noted athlete Jess Purcell who continued to trade on the premises as a public house. 37 South Main Street changed hands again in 1965 when it was purchased from Jess Purcell by Simon Lambert Senior. Simon and his wife Mary had a love of the Wexford Festival Opera, which lead to Simon’s Place becoming the unofficial festival pub.
The first known inhabitant of the house was Richard Walsh, recorded by Griffiths Valuation, who later became Mayor of Wexford in 1849. His father Philip Walsh was a maltster and corn merchant and formed part of the first wave of Catholic merchants that joined Wexford corporation after the catholic emancipation. Richard held many prominent positions in the town prior to his role as Mayor.
These included positions on the Harbour Commissioners Board, the Board of Trade and as governor of the Fever Hospital. The influence of Richards fathers’ Catholic involvement was reflected in Richard’s generous contributions to charitable Catholic organisations. Richard was also an accomplished tradesman, trading in timber and metal goods and owned at least two farms.
Prior to Richard’s death in 1867 the site hosted a ticket agent for ships to North and South America and Australia. It is believed that the building remained in the Walsh family until the death of Richard’s sister Catherine in 1884. A stained-glass window in Rowe Street church was donated by Catherine to commemorate Richard.
The pub is now in the hands of Simon Jr. and Nicky Lambert. In 2015 it became the birthplace of Yellowbelly Beer. The original craft brewery was established in the basement amongst the centuries old walls using limited resources, including recycled milk tanks cobbled together. The passion the boys had for their industry and brewing elevated them to new heights and now YellowBelly beer is known throughout the land and further afield.
