History

The History of Kilcoole

Road
Road
AD 1179

First Written Record Kilcoole is mentioned by name in a papal letter, placing the village firmly on the medieval map of Ireland.

1604- Nine Years War

Following the Nine Years War, landholders in Kilcoole are killed and their lands redistributed to new English settlers.

Little Wren

1641 — Christmas Day Battle

A force of Confederate rebels is attacked and defeated at Kilcoole on Christmas Day during the Irish Catholic uprising.

1649 — Cromwell Arrives

Cromwell and his army march through Kilcoole, spending the night at nearby Killincarrig Castle.

Flintlock Musket

Tree + Crows
1760s — The Coach Road

A new coach road brings travellers through Kilcoole and an inn is built at the Main Street crossroads — it survives today as Byrne's Public House.

Horse Drawn Coach

Steam Train

1855 — The Railway Arrives

The Dublin to Wicklow railway line transforms Kilcoole overnight, bringing Dubliners to the coast and putting the village on the map.

1885 — GAA Founded

The Gaelic cultural revival leads to the formation of the GAA in Kilcoole, with clubs fielding teams across all age groups.

1894 — Darraghville Convent

Darraghville House becomes a convent and generations of local children are educated at the convent schools.

Kilcoole GAA

Bolt Action Rifle

1914 — The Arms Landing

Under cover of darkness, a boat lands rifles on Kilcoole beach for the Irish Volunteers — the weapons end up in Pádraig Pearse's school in Dublin.

Glenroe Farm

1983 — Glenroe

Kilcoole becomes the setting for one of Ireland's most beloved TV shows, broadcast on RTÉ One for nearly two decades.

Tree + Crows

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Explore Kilcoole

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