Arklow

Arklow (An tInbhear Mór in Irish, meaning "the large estuary") is a historic town in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in the ninth century A.D., and the location of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1798 rebellion, it is now a thriving commuter town with a population of 11,721 according to the provisional 2006 census statistics. It is the third largest town in Co. Wicklow.

Arklow is situated at the mouth of the River Avoca, the longest river entirely within County Wicklow. The town is divided by the river, which is crossed by the Nineteen Arches Bridge, a stone arch bridge linking the south or main part of the town with the north part, called Ferrybank.

The town's English name derives from "Arknell's Low" (Arknell was a Viking leader, a low was an area of land). Its Irish name means "the large estuary". Artifacts from the Viking Period are on display in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Historically it was a major seafaring town, with both shipping and fishing using the port, and shipbuilding was a major industry. The town also has a long history of industry, in particular the chemical industry.

After the arrival of the Anglo-Normans under the leadership of Theobald Walter, ancestor of the Earls of Ormonde, was granted the town and castle of Arklow by King Henry II. In 1264 the Dominicans were granted a large tract of land, which is now known as Abbeylands, and they built an Abbey, which became known as the Priory of the True Cross or Holy Cross.

Some time after 1416 the Manor of Arklow came into the control of the MacMurrough Kings of Leinster, possibly after the death of the 4th Earl of Ormonde in 1452. In Muiris Kavanagh (McMurrough, King of Leinster 1522-31) returned the manor and castle of Arklow and its lands to his nephew Piers Butler, the Earl of Ormonde.

During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in September 1649 Oliver Cromwell arrived at Arklow on his way to Wexford and took the surrender of the town. In 1714 James, Duke of Ormonde, sold the Manor of Arklow to John Allen of Stillorgan, County Dublin. In 1750 Allen’s eldest granddaughter Elizabeth Allen married John Proby who was raised to the peerage in 1752 as Baron Carysfort of Co. Wicklow and came into possession of the Arklow Estate.

The national sail training vessel Asgard II, and Gypsy Moth III, the yacht that Francis Chichester sailed in the first solo transatlantic yacht race in 1960, were built in Arklow. Recent times have seen large reductions in cargo and fishing and the shipyards have closed. However the town retains its significance to shipping in Ireland as the headquarters of Arklow Shipping Limited, which maintains a fleet of 37 cargo ships.

The town of Arklow has expanded rapidly in the last decade. There has been a growth in retail in the town and a new shopping centre, The Bridgewater Centre is being built on Ferrybank. At the moment there are no cinemas in the town but the Bridgewater Centre will house a 6-screen multiplex when it is completed.

The Riverwalk Art Gallery, alongside the river which flows through the town, has recently been developed and currently exhibits the art-work of well known artist Nuala Holloway among others.

The newly established Arklow Marina is now complete and in full operation.. The marina provides for 42 berths in an inner harbour and 30 berths on pontoons upstream of the marina entrance.

The marina basin and river pontoons are located on the North bank of the River Avoca., located upstream of the commercial port. It is within 5 minutes walk of the town centre. The entrance to the marina is immediately at the west end of the commercial North quay.

There are bathing beaches north and south of the river estuary. Brittas Bay lies to the north and clogga beach lies to the south. Many walks can be made in the nearby Avoca Valley and along the shore at the North Strand, Porter's Rocks, the South Strand and Arklow Rock, which gives good views of the surrounding area.

The town is ideally located for touring the many beauty spots of County Wicklow, ie, Glenmalure, Glendalough, Clara Lara, and the Meeting of the Waters.

There is a swimming pool located behind the North Beach and a Gymnasium located in the Arklow Bay Hotel.

Taxis may be contacted locally or through major taxi firms. Bus Eireann provides daily services to Dublin.

The nearest tourist office is located in the town centre opposite the courthouse. Visitors should find shops to supply most of their needs. These include supermarkets, off-licenses, newsagents, fish shops, boutiques, hardware, gift shops, butchers, bread shops etc. There is a post office which is open until 17.30. weekdays and to lunchtime on Saturday. Bank of Ireland and AIB Branches are available in the town centre which are open during normal banking hours.