Welcome To The Wicklow Town Heritage Trail
The Wicklow Town Heritage Trail covers our town’s history over 25 stops from the arrival of St. Patrick in 432 up to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Learn about the coming of Christianity with the Town’s change of name to Cill Mhantáin (The Church of Manntan) and the arrival here of the Vikings with the result that the town became known as Wicklow.
Learn about the Normans, whose arrival here in the late 12th century, saw the construction of the Black Castle. Hear about the conflict between the Anglo-Normans and the native Wicklow clans which led to the destruction of the castle in 1645. Following the Penal Laws, Wicklow Gaol was constructed (1702-10) and was a busy overcrowded place in the aftermath of the 1798 Rebellion and the Great Famine (1845-’50).
The 19th century saw a huge growth in the development of the town we have today. During this time Wicklow’s most famous son, Captain Robert Halpin, became famous worldwide for his part in laying the Trans-Atlantic telegraph cable in 1866.
The early part of the 20th century saw Ireland win its fight for political independence.
Today Wicklow Town welcomes all our visitors, we hope you will enjoy our beautiful coastline, as you follow your footsteps through Wicklow’s past. Enjoy the friendliness of our people and visit our family-owned, award-winning shops, hospitable restaurants and pubs as you follow Wicklow Town’s Heritage Trail.
JOIN OUR FREE GUIDED TRAIL EVERY SATURDAY FROM EASTER SATURDAY TO 30TH SEPTEMBER
A guided trail will commence from outside the Failte Ireland Office, Fitzwilliam Square, Wicklow Town at 11am and will take approximately 1.5 - 2 hours, spending some time at each key location.
Locals, Visitors and Tourists are all welcome to join in what is a very informative and entertaining trail through Wicklow’s past telling the rich history of Wicklow Town, from the landing of St. Patrick in 432 to the end of the Civil War in 1923.
Stop 1 - THE BRIDGE TAVERN
Halpin’s Bridge Hotel was the home of one of Wicklow’s most famous residents, the renowned mariner Captain Robert Charles Halpin. Born there in 1836 the story of Robert Halpin is told from the perspective of Halpin himself.
Learn all about Halpin growing up in Wicklow, his exciting life at sea and his journeys across the Atlantic Ocean laying telegraph cables from the decks of the Great Eastern in 1866. Listen to his accounts of his close encounters with disaster and his escape during the American Civil War until his retirement. Learn of his final years in Tinakilly House, Rathnew, up to his untimely death in 1894.
Stop 5 - Abbey Grounds
Archdeacon O’Toole returns to tell story of the Franciscan Abbey which was originally built by the Anglo-Norman family, the Fitzgeralds, in the 1250s.
The Abbey was confiscated in the mid-1500’s and used as a jail, arsenal and courthouse. In the late 18th century, the Abbey ruins and land were passed on to the local Catholic parish and Archdeacon O’Toole. However a incident in 1799 brought a tragic end to the life of Andrew O’Toole. Watch now to learn Fr. O’Toole’s fate.
Stop 6 - St. Patrick's Church
In this video you will learn of the difficulties that the community and priests of Wicklow had to deal with during Penal times, as told from the perspective of Archdeacon Andrew O’Toole.
You’ll also meet Archdeacon John Grant, the parish priest from 1926 until 1864, who explains how the beautiful St. Patrick’s Church was built through the collective efforts and labour of the local community.
Stop 10 - The Barrow Green
The Barrow/Barrack Green has been a site used for many different purposes throughout history. Learn about the town markets that were held here, how it was used for secret burials of 1798 rebels, and was site of the local hospital/County Infirmary that cared for many people during the Famine.
You’ll also learn about what many consider the most tragic event in Wicklow town’s history, a brutal and bloody massacre at the hands of Sir Charles Coote which led to the hill overlooking the town becoming known as Ballyguile, in Irish … Baile na nGol … the Town of Weeping, on account of the atrocity of 1641.
The Dominican Convent adjoins the Barrow Green and has been invaluable in the education of girls from 1870 to the present day.
Stop 12 - Market Square
It’s no surprise that the monument at Market Square is known locally as the ‘Billy Byrne Monument’. In this video you will meet the famous William ‘Billy’ Byrne, a Wicklow hero who was a captain of the United Irishmen, that fought for freedom from Britain during the 1798 Rebellion.
Learn about Billy’s upbringing and what spurred him to join the rebel cause, his time in captivity inside Wicklow Gaol and ultimately to his execution at Gallow’s Lane in 1799.
Stop 14 - The Black Castle
Although you can only see the ruins of it today, the Black Castle was once a mighty fortified structure that stood overlooking the Irish Coast. Built by the Norman Fitzgerald family in the late 1170’s after being granted the land by Richard DeClare (Strongbow), the castle has seen many conflicts over the centuries.
Eventually it was destroyed by fire following an attack by the local clans, the O’Byrnes and O’Toole’s. The castle constable, John Joyce tells the history of the castle and its ultimate destruction. Enjoy the video as you learn about the life of those who inhabited the castle until its final destruction in 1645.
Stop 16 - TravILAHAWK Beach
A very significant event in Wicklow’s history occurred here when St Patrick with a number of followers attempted to land on this beach in 432. He had returned to Hibernia to bring Christianity to the people of the island following his many years as a slave here.
Learn about the incident at Travilahawk Beach, as told by his loyal follower Manntán. Cill Mhantáin (Church of Manntán/Gubby’s Church) is the Irish name for the town and county and it owes its origins to the happenings on Travilahawk beach in 432.
