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 join us.
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
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...
Three Women of the O’Byrnes – The Phyllis Flanagan Memorial Lecture
The Phyllis Flanagan Memorial Lecture took place on Friday 26 September 2025 at the Lalor Centre, Baltinglass. It was a very sociable and well attended event, which our society was delighted to arrange to mark the first anniversary of the death of Phyllis, a founding...
Marking 100 years of the Irish Army in the Glen of Imaal
On 2 September 2025 a large crowd assembled at the Lalor Centre in Baltinglass for Liam Kenny's lecture about the Glen of Imaal's association with both the British and Irish Armies. The talk marked the 100th anniversary of the first ceremonial use of the Artillery...
Michael Dwyer 200
The weekend of 23rd and 24th August 2025 was very much focused on Michael Dwyer, as the people of West Wicklow marked the 200th anniversary of his death. On Saturday 23 August, Arklow Municipal District hosted a full programme of lectures on various aspects of Dwyer's...
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West Wicklow Historical Society News & Events
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...
Three Women of the O’Byrnes – The Phyllis Flanagan Memorial Lecture
The Phyllis Flanagan Memorial Lecture took place on Friday 26 September 2025 at the Lalor Centre, Baltinglass. It was a very sociable and well attended event, which our society was delighted to arrange to mark the first anniversary of the death of Phyllis, a founding...
Marking 100 years of the Irish Army in the Glen of Imaal
On 2 September 2025 a large crowd assembled at the Lalor Centre in Baltinglass for Liam Kenny's lecture about the Glen of Imaal's association with both the British and Irish Armies. The talk marked the...
Michael Dwyer 200
The weekend of 23rd and 24th August 2025 was very much focused on Michael Dwyer, as the people of West Wicklow marked the 200th anniversary of his death. On Saturday 23 August, Arklow Municipal District hosted a full programme of lectures on various aspects of Dwyer's...
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
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
With the exception of Journals Nos. 1, 2 and 7 (now out of print), all others are available to purchase online at a cost of €20 each, inclusive of P&P. Journals 1 and 2, published in 1983 and 1985 respectively, may be downloaded free of charge in PDF format. Please visit our Journals Page