WICKLOW

In 1868, the parish of Wicklow contained the following places:

"WICKLOW, a parish, a seaport, market town, and municipal borough and county town of county Wicklow, province of Leinster, Ireland, 15 miles N. of Arklow, and 31 S.E. of Dublin. It is situated on the estuary of the river Vartry, in the parishes of Kilpoole, Rathnew, and Drumkay, and is a station on the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford railway. The estuary of the Vartry, called Brom Lough, into which the river falls about 2 miles above the town, is so narrow at its mouth as to be crossed by a bridge of eight arches. It is separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land called the Murragh, upon which races are occasionally held. There is a bar across the entrance to the harbour, on which there is only 8 or 9 feet of water at high tide, rendering it fit only for small craft. In ancient times it was frequented as a maritime station by the Danes, who gave it the name of Wykinglogh and Wigginge Lough, and held it till 1170, when it was seized by Maurice Fitzgerald, who built a castle here, and died before it was completed. Maurice's sons were dispossessed by William Fitz-Aldelm, and obliged to accept Ferns in exchange. The town was burned by the Irish in 1301; but William Fitzwilliam, a descendant of an early English settler, put the castle in a state of defence in 1375, and his family preserved the constableship for many generations. It was taken by the O'Byrnes, from the N. of the county, early in the 16th century, but was surrendered to Henry VIII. in 1543. Luke O'Toole besieged the castle in 1641, but was obliged to retire by Sir Charles Coote, who put many of the inhabitants to the sword. Its population in 1851 was 3,147, and in 1861 3,448, inhabiting 582 houses. The town is built on elevated rugged ground on the N. side of Wicklow Head. The streets are narrow and irregular, but have lately been much improved. Of the population in 1861, 649 were members of the Established Church, 2,673 were Roman Catholics, 26 Presbyterians, 68 Methodists, 1 Independent, and 31 of the Society of Friends. The parish church of Drumkay is situated near the round mound. The S. door has a Norman arch, the remains of the old building. There are a Roman Catholic chapel, and meeting-houses for Methodists and Friends. The other public buildings are the court-house, gaol, infirmary, market-house, and barrack. The assizes for the county are held here, also quarter and petty sessions. The import trade is confined to timber, iron, coals, and limestone, and the exports to agricultural produce and ore raised in the various mines of the county. The fishery is good, but the shallowness of the harbour prevents the employment of proper vessels. There are two lighthouses on Wicklow head, 1½ mile E. of the town. The ruins of Black Castle, built in 1375 by William Fitzgerald, occupy a rock overhanging the sea, and in the town are the ruins of a Franciscan abbey, besides other remains. The Howards of Shelton Abbey take the title of earl from this place. Races take place in May. Market-day is on Saturday. Fairs are held on the 28th March, 24th May, 12th August, and 25th November."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018