West Wicklow Historical Society
About Us
The West Wicklow Historical Society (WWHS)
Since 1980, the West Wicklow Historical Society has worked to nurture and spread knowledge about and an appreciation of the historical heritage of the western side of County Wicklow and its environs. The Society comprises a community of people who share these interests and who enjoy the social as well as the intellectual attraction of events run by WWHS. We aim to reach as broad an audience as possible and to emphasise the importance of history in understanding change and continuity in the world. All who share these interests are invited to become a member.
About us
The West Wicklow Historical Society (‘WWHS’)
Since 1980, the West Wicklow Historical Society has worked to nurture and spread knowledge about and the appreciation of the historical heritage of the western side of County Wicklow and its environs. The Society comprises a community of people who share these interests and who enjoy the social as well as the intellectual attraction of events run by WWHS. We aim to reach as broad an audience as possible and to emphasise the importance of history in understanding change and continuity in the world. All who share these interests are invited to join us.
Become a member
Our membership comprises people who wish to find out more about their local area and who are interested in keeping its past ‘alive’ for future generations. New members are always welcome. By subscribing to an annual membership, you will be supporting the ongoing work of WWHS, which is run entirely on a voluntary, non-profit basis. It’s easy to join now using our online subscription service.
WWHS News & Events
Baltinglass Hill and the Holy Year Cross
On the evening of 18 December 2025 our society hosted a very successful event - the marking of the 75th anniversary of the erection of the Holy Year Cross on the hill overlooking the town of Baltinglass. The Cross was originally erected on 10 December 1950 and blessed...
Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society
We were pleased to launch the 13th issue of the Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society at a very well-attended event in the Hollywood Inn, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow on Thursday 20 November 2025. This latest journal contains articles on a diverse range of topics....
Michael Dwyer – a bicentennial evaluation
Chris Lawlor’s lecture on Michael Dwyer and in particular his guerrilla campaign in the Wicklow mountains and its legacy was very well received by a packed audience at the Lalor Centre on Tuesday 4 November 2025. The 200th anniversary of Dwyer's death occurred in...
Wicklow’s census history 1766 to 1901
On the evening of 8 October 2025 we were pleased to host Dr. Brian Gurrin at the Lalor centre. Brian, who works on the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland project, provided a review of the history of census-taking in Wicklow. The census enumerators collected...
Feugiat Aliquet Dui
West Wicklow Historical Society News & Events
Baltinglass Hill and the Holy Year Cross
On the evening of 18 December 2025 our society hosted a very successful event - the marking of the 75th anniversary of the erection of the Holy Year Cross on the hill overlooking the town of Baltinglass. The Cross was originally erected on 10 December 1950 and blessed...
Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society
We were pleased to launch the 13th issue of the Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society at a very well-attended event in the Hollywood Inn, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow on Thursday 20 November 2025. This latest journal contains articles on a diverse range of topics....
Michael Dwyer – a bicentennial evaluation
Chris Lawlor’s lecture on Michael Dwyer and in particular his guerrilla campaign in the Wicklow mountains and its legacy was very well received by a packed audience at the Lalor Centre on Tuesday 4 November...
Wicklow’s census history 1766 to 1901
On the evening of 8 October 2025 we were pleased to host Dr. Brian Gurrin at the Lalor centre. Brian, who works on the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland project, provided a review of the history of census-taking in Wicklow. The census enumerators collected...
West Wicklow Historical Society Journal
You may download free copies of Journal no. 1 (1983)
and Journal no. 2 (1985) – go to our Journals Page
Since its foundation in March 1980, WWHS has published a number of issues of our Journal containing articles relating to the history, folklore, traditions, genealogy and archaeology of West Wicklow and its environs. With the exception of Journal issues nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 (now out of print), all others are available to purchase from our ONLINE SHOP.
West Wicklow Historical Society Journals
You may download free copies of Journal no. 1 (1983) and Journal no. 2 (1985) – go to our Journals Page
Since its foundation in March 1980, WWHS has published a number of issues of our Journal containing articles relating to the history, folklore, traditions, genealogy and archaeology of West Wicklow and its environs. With the exception of Journal issues nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 (now out of print), all others are available to purchase from our ONLINE SHOP.
Since its foundation in March 1980, the West Wicklow Historical Society has published a number of journals containing articles relating to the history, folklore, traditions, genealogy and archaeology of West Wicklow and its environs. With the exception of Journals Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 (now out of print), all others are available to purchase from our ONLINE SHOP. Journal issues nos. 1 and 2, published in 1983 and 1985 respectively, may be downloaded free of charge in PDF format from our Journals Page
Since its foundation in March 1980, WWHS has published a number of issues of our Journal containing articles relating to the history, folklore, traditions, genealogy and archaeology of West Wicklow and its environs. With the exception of Journal issues nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 (now out of print), all others are available to purchase from our ONLINE SHOP.