Local Interest In The Wicklow Town Heritage Trail Continues To Grow

With the weekly guided walk of Wicklow Town Heritage Trail well underway this Summer, renowned local Historian, John Finlay, has welcomed the increased interest in local history being shown by the local population and noted that many recent residents who have moved to the area are now taking the opportunity to complete the local Heritage Trail a short time after they commence living in the area.

The weekly volunteer guides have noted that there is an increased interest among the long-established local population. Many of the local population who have taken part were unaware of the depth of the rich history & heritage of their native town.

There has also been a significant uptake in interest from newcomers to the area who have been fascinated by the history and heritage of their new local town with each week attracting an increased number of overseas Tourists from, the UK, mainland Europe, America and Australia.

The complete tour covers:

· The story of local man Robert Halpin who laid the first Trans-Atlantic cable.

· The history of the Abbey Grounds and the Franciscan Abbey.

· The story of Billy Byrne and the 1798 rising in Wicklow Town

· The massacre of over 300 mainly women and children in Melancholy Lane by Sir Charles Coote in 1641.

· The story of the Black Castle including details of some of the battles that took place over 6 centuries.

· The attempted landing by St. Patrick at Travilahawk Beach.

· The history relating to the Barrow Green, including stories of the secret burials that took place there.

These Free weekly guided walks commence from outside the Failte Ireland Tourist office in Fitzwilliam Square at 11 am each Saturday morning until 27th September.

During each week, the volunteer guides have noted the number of visitors reading the 8 storyboards telling some of the history of the town. The Wicklow Town Heritage Trail can also be self-guided and you can download the brochure for the trail by visiting www.wicklowtown.ie, where you can also view videos with various local actors telling the story of each key location.

For further information on the Wicklow Town Heritage Trail, visit www.wicklowtown.ie