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
Evening stroll – Aghowle and Rathgall
Colum O'Rourke of History of the Coolkenno Area shared his passion for his native locale of Aghowle with members of West Wicklow Historical Society on the evening of Thursday 19 June for the first of our Summer 2026 strolls. St. Finian’s Church is one of most...
Observing excavations at Brusselstown Ringfort
Dr. Dirk Brandherm of Queen’s University Belfast invited members of the society up to Brusselstown Hillfort to observe ongoing excavations at Trench no. 6 on the afternoon of Sunday 10 May 2026. This time the weather was clear and provided our group with panoramic...
Lecture on Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle
Our April 2026 lecture was held in Hollywood hall on Friday 26th. The speaker, Des Dalton spoke about Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle a young Donegal who was active during the Irish Civil War. Boyle was a member of the party of 112 men from various counties who escaped from the...
Lecture on recent excavations at Brusselstown
We were pleased to host Dr. Dirk Brandherm of Queen’s University, Belfast at the Lalor Centre on Friday 27 March 2026. The event attracted huge interest with over seventy people in attendance. This was a collaboration between West Wicklow Historical Society and...
Feugiat Aliquet Dui
West Wicklow Historical Society News & Events
Evening stroll – Aghowle and Rathgall
Colum O'Rourke of History of the Coolkenno Area shared his passion for his native locale of Aghowle with members of West Wicklow Historical Society on the evening of Thursday 19 June for the first of our Summer 2026 strolls. St. Finian’s Church is one of most...
Observing excavations at Brusselstown Ringfort
Dr. Dirk Brandherm of Queen’s University Belfast invited members of the society up to Brusselstown Hillfort to observe ongoing excavations at Trench no. 6 on the afternoon of Sunday 10 May 2026. This time the weather was clear and provided our group with panoramic...
Lecture on Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle
Our April 2026 lecture was held in Hollywood hall on Friday 26th. The speaker, Des Dalton spoke about Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle a young Donegal who was active during the Irish Civil War. Boyle was a member of...
Lecture on recent excavations at Brusselstown
We were pleased to host Dr. Dirk Brandherm of Queen’s University, Belfast at the Lalor Centre on Friday 27 March 2026. The event attracted huge interest with over seventy people in attendance. This was a collaboration between West Wicklow Historical Society and...
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.