Position

Wicklow Parish Church is easily distinguishable with a green coloured cupola on top of its square tower. It occupies an elevated and prominent position on Church Hill overlooking the surrounding town, the Leitrim River and across to the coastline. It has an old graveyard adjacent with graves dating from 17th century.

Parking

There is only limited on road parking during normal working hours. On Sundays there is additional parking in the Glebe NS playground opposite.

Approaching from the South

Leave the N11 at the Beehive Public House turning right onto the R751. 5km to town centre. Turn Left at ‘T’ junction then immediately Right opposite the Grand Hotel onto Wentworth Place. 200mtrs to ‘T’ junction then turn left up Church hill. Church is 200mtrs on Right.

Approaching from the North

Leave the N11 (signposted Rathdrum, Rathnew and Wicklow) turning right at the roundabout onto the R772. 1km to Rathnew roundabout. Follow the R750 to Wicklow, passing Wicklow Town Cemetery on the right (400mtrs). In 2 km take first Left turn into Church Hill after Lidl supermarket (small signpost  for Church of Ireland). Church is 400mtrs up Church Hill on the Left.

Wicklow Parish Church Information

Brief History

The earliest Church here was associated with St Mantan, a companion of St Patrick. St Patrick's of Wykinglo is listed in 1275 in Crede Mihi; it was appropriated to the Archdeacons of Glendalough in 1332 by Archbishop de Bricknor. It became a Prebend in St Patrick's Cathedral in 1467. Kilpoole, Rathnew, Glenealy. Drumkey and KiIliskey were included in the Parish.

There has been a church at the present site since at least the time of the Vikings. At various times a church here has been refered to as St. Livinius, St Thomas, St Patrick’s or The Church of the Vines. Today it is simply known as Wicklow Parish Church.

The present building was reconstructed in 1700; a tower was added in 1777 and a chancel in 1912.  In 1840 permission was also given for the holding of Divine Service in the schoolhouse at Rathnew and in Mr Read's house in BaIlinalea.

In 1855 the Parishes of KiIliskey and Glenealy were separated from Wicklow as Killiskey was made a separate incumbency by act of Privy Council. However, Killiskey was again linked to Wicklow in 1959 when the then incumbent of Killiskey, Rev. F.Tamplin, was instituted also to Wicklow.

Genealogical enquiries should be made to the Church of Ireland Archives, where all parish records prior to 2000 are stored

Genealogical enquiries should be made to the Church of Ireland Archives, where all parish records prior to 2000 are stored.

Interesting features

South Porch The door to the right as you enter the church today was the original entrance to the church completed in 1700 although the porch was only built in the late nineteenth century after many complaints about the drafts. On the outside of this door is a Romanesque Arch which probably came from a medieval church elsewhere in the parish. Masonry from a medieval church has also been found within the walls of the present structure when it was being repaired or altered. Records suggest the medieval church on this site was still in use during the building of the present church therefore the stones must have come from some other site.

South Porch Window The porch also contains a stained glass window which depicts the church as it was in the early nineteenth century. This window was originally in the east end of the church but was moved here in1912 when the chancel was extended.

The Font In the south east corner of the nave is a font of similar age to the doorway. There are three small holes in the rim of the font which show that the font would have had a cover fixed to it. For many years the font stood unused by the doorway but was brought inside in the late twentieth century. Today it is used for all baptisms performed in the church.

The Tower with its copper cupola was constructed by the Eaton family in 1777. The family crest of a lion carrying a sheaf of straw acts as a weather vane and there is also a lion depicted on the outside of the tower.  The idea of removing the cupola and replacing it with a spire was discussed in the late nineteenth century, but this idea was never carried out. Instead, much needed repair work was carried out with the financial aid of the Halpin family.

The Organ which was made by Brown of Dublin was erected in the church in 1876. However, the organ case is by Samual Green, built in 1786 and originally in Cashell Cathedral.

Gallery and Pews Most of the gallery is original although it has been lengthened and shortened at various times. At first there was just one staircase leading up from just inside the south door. However, the two stair cases we have to day were built when the church was re-pewed in 1854.  The church originally contained box pews but they did not provide sufficient seating for the congregations and had to be replaced with the present arrangement.

Church yard On the outside of the eastern wall is a copy of the insignia of the Masons.  This was uncovered during major restoration in the early twentieth century but nothing is known of its origins.

Buried in the graveyard is Captain Robert Halpin of Great Eastern fame. He was captain of the ship which linked four continents with underwater telegraphic cable. Captain Halpin was born at the Bridge Hotel, Wicklow.  After his retirement he built the house at Tinikilly and he continued to very involved with the parish church until his death in 1894 at the early age of 58

 THE SELECT VESTRY FOR WICKLOW PARISH

 

The Rector’s Church Warden:       Alan Cox

The People’s Church Warden:       Evie Watson

Rector’s Glebe Warden:                   Keith Pogue

The People’s Glebe Warden:         Jon Taylor

 

Vestry Members: Olive Evans, Ann Harris, Stuart Daunt- Smyth, Helen Ovington, Vivienne Barkley, Lesley Hopkins, Connor Foley, Tim Austin, Kevin Conroy, Nial Flanagan, Keith Lemon

 

Hon. Treasurer:                                   Olwen Bond. 

 Hon. Secretary:                                  Margaret Nevin

 

The following were elected for a three year period in 2005:

 

Synod Members: Lesley Hopkins , Evie Watson, Klaas de Vries, Olive Evans.

Supplementalists: Margaret Nevin ,  Keith Lemon,, Vivienne Barkley, Vickey Shirley.

Parish Nominators:Phillip Hastie & Norman Douglas

  Supplementalists: Evie Watson & Ann Harris