Although this anglicised place-name is attested as far back as the fourteenth century, the origin of the qualifying element is unclear. The evidence is in keeping with O’Donovan’s suggested ‘Baile eadrach’ [Baile Eadrach] (14), the derivation of which is very uncertain. Perhaps the second element is related to eadar “between” or Old Irish eitrech “alternate” (see DIL eitrech). Compare the name Glenaddragh River in Donegal, which may derive from Gleann Eadrach (see logainm.ie).

A connection between the final element and the Norse names Oddr or Eidr could be tentatively suggested, given the known Norse links with the general area of southeast Wexford (see Colfer, 2002 pp.13–23). However, there is insufficient evidence for this hypothesis.

[Excerpt from Logainmneacha na hÉireann IV: Townland Names of County Wexford, 2016]