[1] After finding this arrangement inadequate, Wexford Corporation decided to commission a dedicated corn exchange: the site they selected, at the west end of Cornmarket, was owned by the lord of the manor, John Grogan, whose seat was at Johnstown Castle.

[5] During the 19th century, the building was a regular venue for social functions, concerts, and theatrical performances: civic leaders hosted the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Constantine Phipps, Earl of Mulgrave at a banquet in 1836,[6] and, later in the century, performers included Percy French, who wrote the lyrics to the song The Mountains of Mourne.

[7] The abolitionist Frederick Douglass spoke at the assembly rooms above the market on 7 and 8 October 1845 before a mostly quaker audience during his tour of Ireland.

[7] During the First World War, in the context of soaring food prices, the building served as the main venue for the sale of vegetables in the town.

[7] A major programme of refurbishment works, involving the creation of a new entrance, a new gallery and additional workshop space, was carried out by McKellen Construction at a cost of €3 million to a design by ODKM Architects, and completed in October 2022.