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 important examples of Gaelic-Romanesque architecture and dates from the 1100’s. It is said that the church replaced a wooden one believed to have been erected on the site in the 6th century. These ruins stand in the middle of an ancient graveyard in a secluded part of Wicklow/Carlow near Coolkenno. Our members were regaled by how St. Finian chose the site: Aghowle means ‘The Field of the Apple Tree’. According to a local legend, the solid gold bell of Aghowle could be heard as far away as Clonmore. Church of Ireland services were held in the church until 1716. A very fine Celtic Cross made of granite stone stands on the South-West of the church. The graveyard also contains a water font that is believed to cure skin ailments.
Our group then visited the Ring of Rath (Rathgall) hillfort. This mid Bronze Age Hillfort was excavated by Professor Barry Raftery in the late 1960s. It comprises three clearly defined stone and earth ramparts. It is well worth a visit and has a convenient carpark.
Many thanks to Colum for a very informative and interesting evening.
Photo: Colum speaking to our group amidst the ancient ruins of Aghowle