Arklow Genealogical Records

Arklow Birth & Baptism Records

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Births & Baptisms in Ireland (1620-1922)

A collection of almost 4 million birth and baptisms records from civil, Catholic and Church of Ireland registers.

Catholic Birth & Baptism Registers for Ireland (1763-1912)

Digital images of registers recording the birth and baptism of Catholic families' children. They record around 550,000 births and baptisms, which can be searched by a name index.

British Civil Service Evidence of Age Index (1752-1948)

An index to evidences provided to the British Civil Service Commission to establish the age of prospective and current civil servants. The index includes date & place of birth and provides a reference to surviving documents.

Ireland Birth & Baptism Index (1620-1881)

An index to over 5 million births and baptisms recorded in Ireland. These are predominantly from the 19th century.

Arklow Marriage & Divorce Records

Dublin, Ireland Probate & Marriage Licence Index (1270-1858)

Index entries extracted from wills, letters of administration, acts of probate, marriage licenses, and other records within the Diocese of Dublin.

UK Divorce Records (1858-1911)

Digital images of documents from civil divorce cases. The cases cover both the cause of the case and the outcome, such as division of property and visitation rights. These records also contain details of illegitimate children. Cases can be searched by a name index.

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Ireland Marriages (1619-1898)

Transcripts of more than 850,000 marriage records, including parents' names when listed in the original document.

Catholic Marriage Registers for Ireland (1775-1912)

Digital images of registers recording the marriages of Catholics in Ireland. They record around 150,000 marriages, which can be searched by a name index.

Arklow Death & Burial Records

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Titanic Deaths at Sea (1912)

Details of crew and passengers who died aboard RMS Titanic. Information given includes date, place & cause of death; gender; age; nationality; profession; and residence.

Marriages in Walker's Hibernian Magazine (1771-1812)

An index to around 13,000 marriages of the upper class of Ireland recorded in a magazine.

Registers of Deaths of Passengers at Sea (1854-1908)

Registers compiled from the logs of ships registered in Britain & her colonies. These records are indexed by named and are connected to original images of the registers. They list the name of the deceased, the date they died, their gender, age, cause of death and the name of the ship they died on.

Irish-American Death Notices (1845-1909)

Transcriptions of over 35,000 death notices of Irish who died in America and other parts of the world.

Arklow Census & Population Lists

Censuses of Ireland (1821-1911)

An index to several million names in records delineating families and including important personal details, such as religion, occupation and place of birth.

Ireland Electoral Registers (1885-1886)

An index to and digital images of registers recording people eligible to vote. The records list name, residence, qualification to vote, ratable value of property and sometimes a description of their property.

British Phone Books (1880-1984)

Directories containing over 275,000,000 entries. As well as name, address and phone number, occupations are often recorded. A useful census substitute.

Ireland Census Search Forms (1841-1851)

Over 135,000 surviving extracts from the 1841 and 1851 censuses of Ireland.

Surviving Irish Census Extracts (1821-1851)

An index to almost half a million surviving extracts from largely lost Irish censuses. These records show families, with relations and important genealogical information.

Newspapers Covering Arklow

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Reynolds's Newspaper (1850-1900)

Originally founded as a chartist organ, the newspaper became a liberal platform.

Farmer's Gazette & Journal of Practical Horticulture (1845-1870)

Digital images of a newspaper that circulated through Ireland, promoting agriculture, gardening, commerce and manufacturing. It is fully text searchable.

Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (1842-1900)

A popular illustrated, liberal newspaper; one of the most popular in Britain.

Northern Whig (1832-1870)

Digital images of a liberal, unionist newspaper published in Ireland. Pages can be searched by article text.

Arklow Wills & Probate Records

Dublin, Ireland Probate & Marriage Licence Index (1270-1858)

Index entries extracted from wills, letters of administration, acts of probate, marriage licenses, and other records within the Diocese of Dublin.

Irish Wills Index (1272-1886)

An index to over 100,000 Irish wills.

WWI Irish Soldiers Wills (1914-1920)

Transcripts of over 9,000 wills penned by Irish privates and non-commissioned officers during World War I.

Ireland Wills and Administrations Index (1858-1920)

A name index connected to images of Ireland's civil probate registers. It lists the name of the deceased, residence, status or occupation, type of probate, date of probate and names of the executors or administrators.

Diocesan & Prerogative Probate Indexes (1595-1858)

An index to around 365,000 documents relating to the distribution of deceased person's real and personal estate.

Arklow Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

Irish Famine Immigrants (1846-1851)

A record of over 600,000 immigrants arriving in the United States; being predominantly those escaping the Irish famine. Records may contain numerous useful details, such as age or year of birth, native county and intended destination.

Migration from North America to Britain & Ireland (1858-1870)

A list of over 40,000 passengers traveling from North America to the British Isles. Details of passengers may include: occupation, nationality, gender, age, martial status, class, destination, and details of the vessel they sailed on.

Irish Immigrants to Western Canada (1826-1847)

Details of over 700 poor Irish settlers in the Newcastle district of Canada. Contains details of the land they occupy, family and live stock.

Australian Convict Transportation Registers (1791-1868)

Registers recording those who by their criminal deeds were sentenced to be transported to Australia. Records include name, date & place of conviction, term of sentence, ship sailed on, departure date and the name of the colony they were to be sent to.

Arklow Military Records

British Army WWI Pension Records (1914-1920)

A variety military service, medical, award and general documents detailing WWI army soldiers who claimed a pension for disability. Contains a great deal of biographical and genealogical details, including physical description and disabilities. Digital images, searchable by a name and place index.

Attleborough In War Time (1914-1918)

A history of the town during WWI, with a list of men and women who served and notes of those who lost their lives.

WWI Commonwealth Casualty Lists (1914-1920)

A list of over 1.3 million British and Commonwealth servicemen who were injured during World War One.

Royal Artillery Attestations (1883-1942)

Detailed records of 858,171 Royal Artillery personnel. The records contain genealogical, biographical and military details.

Royal Tank Corps Enlistment Records (1919-1934)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of 88,096 records detailing biographical, genealogical and service details of the men of the Royal Tank Corps.

Ireland Electoral Registers (1885-1886)

An index to and digital images of registers recording people eligible to vote. The records list name, residence, qualification to vote, ratable value of property and sometimes a description of their property.

Petty Sessions Order Books (1828-1912)

An index to millions of names occurring in minor Irish legal records. The index is linked to images of the original registers.

Ireland Poverty Relief Loans (1821-1874)

An index to and images to various records, including loan application forms. These may list name, residence, names of relatives, loan particulars and more.

Irish Prison Registers (1790-1924)

A index to over 3.5 million names occurring in Irish prison registers. Details provide vary, but may include: name, age, place of birth, abode, religion, occupation, education, physical description, next of kin and details of crimes and sentences Contains images of the original registers.

Famine Relief Commission Papers (1844-1847)

Digital images of thousands of letters and documents detailing the state of Ireland during the famine. The documents can be searched by a name index of over 10,000 people.

Arklow Taxation Records

Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864)

An assessment of property in Ireland for taxation purposes. Provides descriptions of properties.

Tithe Applotment Books (1821-1843)

Records detailing occupiers of land in pre-famine Ireland. Contains a description of lands and other details. Original images of the records can be searched by name and place.

Ireland Tithe Applotment Books (1814-1855)

Lists of occupiers of Irish land and tithes to support the established church; arranged by parish.

1831 Tithe Defaulters (1831)

A list of people who refused to pay an annual tax to the Anglican church in Scotland.

Arklow Land & Property Records

Landed Estates Court Rentals (1850-1885)

Records detailing tenancies of over 500,000 Irish people. In some cases details may be provided back to the 18th century.

Irish Landowners (1876)

The name and address of people who owned two or more acres of land in Ireland.

Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864)

An assessment of property in Ireland for taxation purposes. Provides descriptions of properties.

Reports from Committees of Fictitious Votes (1837-1838)

Essentially an electoral roll, listing those who were eligible to vote, their occupation, residence and entitlement.

Tithe Applotment Books (1821-1843)

Records detailing occupiers of land in pre-famine Ireland. Contains a description of lands and other details. Original images of the records can be searched by name and place.

Arklow Directories & Gazetteers

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

Thom's Official Directory of Ireland (1910)

A directory containing all manner of facts and descriptions of public and other important institutions. Contains various lists of the nobility, gentry and other Irish citizens. Searchable by an index of over 130,000 people.

Kelly's Clergy Directory (1909)

A directory of the Church of England, its institutions and ministers.

Slater's Royal National Directory of Ireland (1894)

A directory listing over 345,000 people in Ireland. Also contains details of public institutions, public houses, churches etc. as well as descriptions of settlements.

Thom's Official Directory: Ireland (1894)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in Ireland. Contains a directory of over 120,000 businesses and residents.

Arklow Cemeteries

Cantwell's Memorials of the Dead (1500-1900)

A name index connected to transcriptions of gravestones and other monuments primarily in counties Wexford & Wicklow. This database contains over 60,000 names.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Irish Records Index (1600-1874)

An index to around 100,000 various births, marriages, deaths, burials, cemeteries, wills, immigration, census extracted from Irish sources.

Arklow Obituaries

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Irish Independent Newspaper Obituaries (2001-2002)

This database contains extracted genealogical information from the obituaries of the Irish Independent newspaper.

Arklow Histories & Books

County Wicklow Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in County Wicklow.

Geograph: Photos of the UK and Ireland (2005-Present)

A growing database including millions of photographs of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Ireland catalogued by latitude & longitude and OS grid reference.

Attleborough In War Time (1914-1918)

A history of the town during WWI, with a list of men and women who served and notes of those who lost their lives.

Lawrence's Photographs of Ireland (1870-1910)

An indexed collection of 21,000 photographs covering all of Ireland.

UK Photos (1857-2005)

A collection of 220,000 professional photos covering most towns and villages in Britain, and parts of Ireland.

Arklow School & Education Records

Ireland National School Registers (1860-1920)

An index to and images of registers recording 100,000s of Irish schoolchildren. Registers may list name, year of birth, year of registration, age, religion, address, occupation of parent or guardian, name of current and previous school, parish, number of days attendance, class enrolled into, results of exams and date of leaving.

Alumni Dublinenses (1593-1846)

A register of faculty and students educated at Trinity College Dublin. Entries include the individual’s full name, date of entering the college, age of entering, father’s name and address, the degree they received and their graduation date.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Registers of Queen's Colleges Ireland (1849-1858)

Registers recording students who attended a series of non-denominational schools throughout Ireland.

British Army Schoolchildren and Schoolmasters (1803-1932)

Transcripts of over 27,000 entries from admissions, apprentice, and schoolmaster ledgers of the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea and Royal Hibernian Military School in Dublin.

Arklow Occupation & Business Records

Ireland Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in Ireland.

British Postal Service Appointment Books (1737-1969)

This collection gives brief details on the appointment of over 1.4 million people who worked for the Post Office. Includes references to corresponding data in the Postmaster General’s minute books and is a starting point for research in the rich archive of the British Postal Museum.

Kelly's Leather Trade in Ireland (1915)

A database containing names extracted from Kelly's Directory of the Leather Trade. Contains name, occupation and residence.

Medical Directory for Ireland (1858)

A book containing details of the medical establishment in Ireland, with a list of over 2,700 medical practitioners in Ireland.

British Masters and Mates Certificates (1850-1927)

Records relating to merchant seamen of the British Isles. They may record, date and place of birth, address and details of their maritime career.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Arklow

Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland (1899)

The first edition of an exclusively Irish directory of the landed gentry printed by Burke's. This publication provides heraldic, genealogical and biographical details on Ireland's foremost untitled landowners. Searchable by an index of over 80,000 names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. I (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Arklow Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland (1899)

The first edition of an exclusively Irish directory of the landed gentry printed by Burke's. This publication provides heraldic, genealogical and biographical details on Ireland's foremost untitled landowners. Searchable by an index of over 80,000 names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. I (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. II (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage (1921)

A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.

Arklow Church Records

Irish Catholic Church Directories (1836-1837)

A directory listing all the members of the clergy and parishes in Ireland. Also includes details on clergy in the Empire.

Congregationalist Ministers Index (1650-1972)

Biographical details of around 32,000 Congregationalist ministers in the British Isles and further afield.

Crockford's Clerical Directory (1929)

A directory listing Anglican parishes and other divisions of the Church or England hierarchy and their various religious officers. The directory covers the UK and Anglican churches throughout the world.

Clergy List of 1897 (1897)

Brief biographical details on all Anglican clergy in Britain & the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

Clergy List 1896 (1896)

Brief biographical details on all Anglican clergy in Britain & the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

Biographical Directories Covering Arklow

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Chalmers' General Biographical Dictionary (1013-1812)

Detailed biographies of thousands of notable Europeans with details on ancestry.

Dictionary of National Biography (1005-Present)

An index of names connected to over 60,000 biographies of notable British and Irish people from arguably the world's most respected biographical compendium. Gives details on ancestry, careers and personal wealth.

Kelly's Handbook of 1892 (1892)

Brief biographical notes on around 10,000 of Britain's foremost nobles, landowners and professionals.

Arklow Maps

Ireland Ordnance Survey Maps (1824-1846)

Digitalised copies of detailed maps covering around 99% of the country.

Taylor & Skinner Road Map of Ireland (1777)

289 maps depicting routes through Ireland.

A Vision of Britain (1190-Present)

A sprawling website setting out and describing the historical divisions of Britain. Also contains countless maps of various sorts. Covers the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man & has fleeting details of other localities.

Speed's Maps of Britain (1612)

County and national maps covering the British Isles, extracted from John Speed's landmark work, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Arklow Reference Works

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

Heraldry Clipart (1189-Present)

A growing collection of heraldic and related clip art that can be used to reconstruct a families' arms. Includes packs for British, German, Austrian, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Polish, Portuguese, French, Swiss and Dutch arms. Images are available in a variety of formats including vectors.

Trade Union Ancestors (1799-Present)

A sprawling site that lists British trade unions, histories of some unions and outlines how to locate records relating to trade union ancestors.

Measuring Worth - GBP (1245-Present)

A calculator measuring the changing value of the British Pound using two price indices.

Historical Description

ARKLOW, a sea-port, market-town and post-town, and a parish, in the barony of ARKLOW, county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 12 miles (S.) from Wicklow, and 40 miles (S. by E.) from Dublin; containing 6309 inhabitants, of which number, 4383 are in the town. This place, formerly called Arclogh and Alercomshed, appears to have been occupied as a fishing station from time immemorial. It was included in one of those grants of territory for which Hen. II., in 1172, caused service to be done at Wexford; and by an original charter, preserved among the rolls of Kilkenny Castle, it appears that John, Lord of Ireland, granted and confirmed the castle and town of Arclogh, with all their appurtenances, to Theobald Fitzwalter, hereditary lord-butler of Ireland. Fitzwalter founded here a monastery, which he dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, for monks of the Cistertian order, whom he brought from the abbey of Furness, in Lancashire. The barony, which with the chief butlery always descended to the next heir male, was inherited by Theobald, the third of that name, who died here on the 26th of September, 1285, and was buried in the abbey church, under a tomb ornamented with his effigy. In 1281, a battle was fought near this place between the English and the Irish, in which the latter were totally defeated by Stephen de Fulborne, Bishop of Waterford and Lord Justiciary of Ireland; and in 1316, the O'Tooles and O'Byrnes, who had risen in arms and burnt Arklow, Bray, and Newcastle, with all the neighbouring villages, were defeated on the 16th of April by Edward le Boteler.

In 1331, the castle was taken, by the O'Tooles, but was retaken by Lord de Birmingham; and in the year following it was again taken by the Irish, who were finally repulsed by Sir Anthony Lucy, who repaired the fortifications and strengthened the garrison. In 1641, the castle was surprised by a party of insurgents, and the garrison put to the sword; and being afterwards held for the royalists, it was, in 1649, assaulted by Oliver Cromwell in his victorious march southward, and on its surrender was totally demolished. During the disturbances of 1798, a battle was fought near Arklow bridge, between the king's troops, under the command of Gen. Needham, and the insurgents, in which the latter were defeated and their leader shot; among the slain on the side of the royal forces was Thomas Grogan Knox, Esq., of Castletown, cornet of the 5th dragoon guards, to whose memory a neat marble tablet has been placed in the church.

The town is situated on the acclivity of a hill extending along the right bank of the river Ovoca, and on the mail coach road from Dublin to Wexford. The Ovoca, after winding through the beautiful and romantic vale to which it gives name, passes under a bridge of nineteen arches at this place, and discharges itself into the sea, about 500 yards below the town. It is divided into the Upper and Lower Towns, which latter is called the "Fishery;" and in 1831 it contained 702 houses.

The houses in the Upper Town, which consists of one principal street, are neatly built; those in the Lower Town, which is chiefly inhabited by fishermen, are mostly thatched cabins. The inhabitants are amply supplied with water from numerous excellent springs, but no works have been established to convey it to their houses; and the only improvement that has recently taken place is the Macadamising of the principal street, and the laying down of foot pavements. On the site of the ancient castle are barracks for two companies of infantry. The principal trade is the fishery, which was formerly very lucrative, having two seasons in the year; one in May, which has lately ceased; and the other in November, which, though still continued, has become so unproductive as scarcely to remunerate the persons employed in it. The fishery, in 1835, employed about 200 boats in the herring fishery and in dredging for oysters, of the latter of which great quantities are taken off the coast in some years, and sent to different parts of Ireland and to England. Formerly much of the copper ore from the Wicklow mines, which are situated nearly midway between this town and Rathdrum, was shipped from this port during the summer season; and some trade is still carried on in the importation of coal. The want of a safe harbour in which the fishermen might shelter during bad weather, which for two or three seasons has prevailed on this coast, has been severely felt, there being no port between Kingstown and Waterford into which they can run for shelter, and many lives are annually lost. The harbour is accessible only for small boats, as the passage is sinuous and subject to shifting sands. The market is on Thursday; and fairs are held on Jan. 11th, March 22nd, April 19th, May 14th, June 28th, Aug. 9th, Sep. 25th, and Nov. 15th, chiefly for the sale of woollen cloth, cattle, sheep, and pigs. A constabulary police station has been established here; and on the north side of the river, in the parish of Kilbride, is a coast-guard station belonging to the Gorey district. The petty sessions for the barony of Arklow are held every Thursday, in a neat court-house rented by the magistrates for that purpose, and of which the lower part is appropriated to the use of the savings' bank.

The parish, which is situated at the south-eastern extremity of the county, and intersected by the river Ovoca, comprises 5851 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The surface is broken, abrupt, and mountainous; the soil towards the coast, and in the inlets between the hills is rich, and abounds with excellent marl, which, together with lime, is used for manure.

The system of agriculture has been greatly improved, under the auspices of the Agricultural Society; the drill husbandry is practised where the soil will admit of it, and green crops have been partially introduced. The mountain of Croghan Kinshela, towards the close of the last century, became an object of intense interest from its supposed production of native gold; a peasant fishing in one of the streams which descended from it discovered, at different times, small particles of gold, which for about 12 years he continued to sell privately to a goldsmith, till, in September 1796, the discovery became known, and thousands of persons engaged in the search for this precious metal. Several masses of extraordinary size were found, one of which weighed nine, another eighteen, and a third twenty-two ounces; and so great was the number of the peasantry allured to the spot by the hope of enriching themselves, that in the short space of six or seven weeks, during which the washing of the sands was continued, not less than 2666 ounces of pure gold were obtained, which were sold for £10,000.

After the people had continued their searches for a little more than six weeks. Government took possession of the mine, and stationed a party of the Kildare militia to prevent further encroachment; an act of parliament was passed for working it, and Messrs. Weaver, Mills, and King were appointed directors of the operations.

Steam-works were established on several rivulets which descended from the mountain; and from this time till May 1798, when the works were destroyed in the insurrection of that disturbed period, the total quantity of gold found was 944 oz.,4 dwts., and 15 grs., which was sold for £3675. 8. 0. In 1801 the mining operations were resumed, and on the representation of the directors, Government was induced to extend the search upon a more systematic principle: the stream-works were continued to the heads of the several streams, and the solid mass of the mountain was more minutely examined, by cutting trenches in every direction down to the firm rock. The veins already known, and such as were afterwards discovered by the process of trenching, were more extensively explored and their depth minutely ascertained, by means of a gallery, or level, driven into the mountain at right angles to the general range of their direction. The mineral substances thus obtained were subjected to a rigid chymical analysis, but in no instance was a single particle of gold discovered; the result of these operations convinced Government that no gold existed as an inherent ingredient in any of the veins which traversed the mountain, and the works were consequently abandoned.

The environs of Arklow are much admired for the beauty, richness, and variety of their scenery; the banks of the Ovoca are embellished with handsome seats, and the sides of the vale with woods of luxuriant growth. Shelton Abbey, the seat of the Earl of Wicklow, though in the parish of Kilbride, forms a conspicuous and interesting feature in the scenery of this parish; it is beautifully situated on the north bank of the river, and at the base of a range of hills of gentle elevation, richly wooded with oak and birch. The mansion, which was remodelled some years since by the Messrs. Morrison, is a low quadrilateral edifice with two principal fronts, richly embellished with decorated pinnacles, and resembling an ecclesiastical structure of the 14th century, converted into a baronial residence at a subsequent period; the entrance-hall is wainscoted with carved oak, and the ceiling delicately enriched with fan tracery, of which the pendants are gilt; the great hall, gallery, and state apartments, are all in a style of corresponding richness and elegance; the library contains an exceedingly valuable collection of works made by a learned member of the family; and the cloisters are in a style of appropriate beauty. The demesne, which comprises more than 1000 statute acres, is ornamented with some of the most stately beech and chestnut trees in the island; and the whole forms one of the most delightful retreats in this romantic part of the country. During the temporary sequestration of the family estates at the time of the Revolution, Jas. II., on his flight to Waterford, after the battle of the Boyne, was entertained at Shelton Abbey by the party then in possession; and there is still a road within the demesne which is called King James's road. Glenart, a castellated mansion belonging to the Earl of Carysfort, and at present occupied by his lordship's brother, the Hon. Capt. Proby, R. N., is situated on the south bank of the Ovoca, nearly opposite to the abbey, on a gentle slope in a very retired spot, commanding from the high grounds some fine views of the sea and of the richly wooded hills of Shelton Abbey and Bally-Arthur. Ballyrane, the seat of the Rev. T. Quin, is a handsome modern house, pleasantly situated within a mile of the town, of which it commands a fine view, and also of the sea. Lambarton, the seat of Capt. Hore, R.N., is beautifully situated in the midst of fine plantations, and commands delightful views of the sea and the demesnes of Shelton and Bally-Arthur, terminating in the magnificent range of mountains in the neighbourhood of Lugna-quilla. Emma Vale, the seat of D. Wright, Esq., is situated about a mile to the south-west of the town; the house has been enlarged and improved, the plantations are tastefully laid out, and the prospect comprehends a fine view of Glenart woods and mansion, Bally Arthur and the distant part of Shelton demesne, and an extensive range of mountain scenery. Elton, about half a mile to the south, is a commodious house occupying, a healthful situation.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, to which the greater portion of the rectory, which formerly belonged to the abbey of Woney, was united in the year 1673, subject to a reserved rent of £3. 12.; and to which also the vicarage of Enorily and the perpetual curacies of Killahurler, Kilbride, and Templemichael, and part of the rectory of Kilgorman, were united from time immemorial till 1833, when they were, with the exception of Killahurler and Kilgorman, separated from it by act of council and made a distinct benefice; leaving only Arklow and Killahurler, with part of Kilgorman, to constitute the vicarial union, which is in the patronage of the Archbishop.

The other portion of the rectory is impropriate in W. Johnson and D. Howell, Esqrs. The tithes amount to £230. 15, 4¾, of which £46. 8. 7½ is payable to the lay impropriators, and the remainder to the incumbent; and the gross tithes of the union payable to the incumbent amount to £250. 8. 8. The church, situated in the principal street of the town, was erected in 1823, at an expense of £2000, of which sum £1100 was granted on loan by the late Board of First Fruits; and in 1829 it was enlarged, at an expense of £1200, granted by the same Board, in consideration of which grant the additional sittings are free. It was built after a design by Mr. Johnson, and is in the later English style, with a square tower. A grant of £249 has been lately made by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for its repair. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, which comprehends the parishes of Arklow, Killahurler, and Ballintemple, in the county of Wicklow, and of Inch and Kilgorman in the county of Wexford. The chapel is a handsome modern structure, situated opposite to the remains of the ancient castle; and there are chapels also at Johnstown, Castletown, and Ballycowgue, to all of which schools are attached.

There is a small place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists.

About 320 children are instructed in the several public schools, of which a boys' school is supported by the Trustees of Erasmus Smith's charity, two for girls are aided by Mrs. Proby, and an infants' school is maintained by voluntary contributions; and there are six private schools, in which are about 240 children, and two Sunday schools. A fever hospital and dispensary was erected in 1821, at an expense of £550, of which sum, £400 was presented by the grand jury, and the remainder was raised by subscription: it is a neat square building, in a healthy situation just without the town.

The only relic of the ancient castle is a small fragment mantled with ivy, situated on an eminence above the river and adjoining the barracks. The cemetery of the Cistertian abbey is still used as a burying-place by the Roman Catholics. Arklow gives the title of baron, in the peerage of Ireland, by creation, to his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, and by tenure to the noble family of Butler, Marquesses of Ormonde.

Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) by Samuel Lewis; Courtesy & copyright of Mel Lockie

Most Common Surnames in Arklow

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wicklow
1Byrne4281:1510.82%1
2Kavanagh2531:2626.91%5
3Tyrrell1721:3876.11%32
4Doyle1511:437.22%2
5Kearon1451:4599.32%53
6Redmond1161:5634.12%16
7Murphy1011:659.18%3
8Kelly971:679.73%4
9Neill921:7123.23%11
10Kenny721:9120.34%14
11Murray701:9421.81%17
12Reilly691:9516.79%10
13Cullen661:999.24%6
14O'Brien611:10723.55%24
15Bolger571:11541.61%62
16Brien561:11710.87%8
17Kinch541:12185.71%186
18Dunne501:13112.79%12
19Kennedy471:13916.61%22
19O'Neill471:13920.70%30
21Greene461:14250.00%108
21Kinsella461:14215.92%19
23Manifold441:14995.65%249
24Clancy431:15248.31%112
24McDonald431:15214.98%20
26Toole401:1648.75%9
27Colvin381:17297.44%284
28English361:18267.92%220
29Brown351:18735.00%92
29Loughlin351:18720.83%46
31Hughes341:19318.28%37
31Nolan341:1935.27%7
33Whelan321:2059.33%15
34White311:21116.06%36
35Donnelly281:23426.17%83
35Hall281:23421.71%64
37Carthy271:24249.09%214
37Gregory271:24231.76%119
39Bracken261:25250.98%234
39Connor261:25211.76%33
39Hagan261:25237.68%166
39Keogh261:2528.28%18
39Lee261:25229.89%115
44Canavan251:26235.71%160
44Donohoe251:26221.37%73
44Furlong251:26232.89%137
44Shea251:26256.82%257
48Connors241:27350.00%243
49Hudson231:28533.33%166
49Lynch231:28513.22%45
51Walsh221:2988.98%27
52Waddick211:312100.00%472
52Wilson211:31213.21%48
54Dixon201:32725.64%133
54Hayden201:32717.09%73
54Prestage201:32748.78%270
54Smith201:3277.52%23
54Somers201:32725.32%129
59Coe191:34570.37%391
59Forde191:34535.85%220
59Marshall191:34582.61%435
59Nicholson191:34559.38%334
59Price191:34535.85%220
59Russell191:34539.58%243
59Stafford191:34534.55%214
66Allen181:36412.00%50
66Canterbury181:364100.00%541
66Condren181:36472.00%415
66Curran181:36424.32%148
66Healy181:3647.29%26
66Kearney181:36412.33%53
66Reid181:36423.08%133
66Wadden181:36494.74%524
74Bradford171:38560.71%380
74Death171:38585.00%497
74FitzGerald171:38526.15%179
74FitzPatrick171:3859.44%40
74Ryan171:3857.49%30
79Black161:40948.48%327
79Browne161:40921.33%143
79Farrell161:4094.46%13
79Leary161:40941.03%284
79Long161:40924.62%179
79Waydock161:409100.00%606
79Williams161:40912.60%66
86Crooke151:436100.00%638
86Kehoe151:4366.94%34
86Martin151:43611.72%65
86O'Toole151:4369.55%49
86Weadick151:43665.22%435
91Finlay141:46820.29%166
91Hayes141:46819.44%155
91Proctor141:46893.33%638
91Stuart141:46863.64%454
91Waldron141:46817.50%125
91Wolohan141:46818.42%137
97Annesley131:50492.86%669
97Ellis131:50411.50%78
97FitzWilliam131:50476.47%572
97Gaffney131:50414.29%109
97Higgins131:50418.06%155
97Horan131:50465.00%497
97Hunt131:50423.64%214
97Keane131:50412.15%83
97Myler131:50468.42%524
97O'Connor131:50417.11%137
97Sheehan131:50446.43%380
97Waddock131:50492.86%669
109Blackburne121:54652.17%435
109Craine121:54692.31%707
109Grannell121:54670.59%572
109Kenney121:54660.00%497
109Lane121:54657.14%472
109McCrudden121:546100.00%742
109Moore121:5465.17%28
109Mullett121:546100.00%742
109Myers121:54660.00%497
109Nuzum121:546100.00%742
109Penston121:54680.00%638
109Rafferty121:54650.00%423
109Treacy121:54630.00%276
122Dowdall111:59564.71%572
122Driver111:59516.67%175
122Evans111:5956.55%46
122Fox111:5957.64%57
122Graham111:5958.27%63
122Griffin111:59510.00%80
122Heaney111:59564.71%572
122Hempenstall111:59561.11%541
122Larkin111:59533.33%327
122Latimer111:59584.62%707
122Rourke111:59511.70%104
122Tracy111:59568.75%606
134Abraham101:65558.82%572
134Bailey101:65538.46%405
134Bowes101:65535.71%380
134Burke101:6555.59%41
134D'arcy101:6555.52%39
134Dobson101:65522.73%257
134Dowling101:6558.55%73
134Fennell101:65540.00%415
134Foley101:6556.99%58
134Gannon101:65550.00%497
134Gormly101:65583.33%742
134Hogan101:65516.67%199
134Kane101:65515.87%186
134Keating101:65513.70%151
134Lacy101:65537.04%391
134Lambert101:65510.64%104
134Lawrenson101:65555.56%541
134McCull101:655100.00%843
134New101:65590.91%790
134Sherwood101:65583.33%742
134Smyth101:6555.68%42
134Storey101:65541.67%423
134Tallon101:65512.66%129
134Washbrook101:655100.00%843
158Birthisth91:72775.00%742
158Chatham91:72790.00%843
158Clarke91:7274.84%37
158Connolly91:7278.57%85
158Cutland91:727100.00%912
158Dagg91:72733.33%391
158Dempsey91:7277.89%77
158Donahoe91:72775.00%742
158FitzSimons91:72717.31%225
158Fortune91:72717.65%234
158Garvey91:72745.00%497
158Kearns91:7277.14%67
158Kilbride91:72721.95%270
158McGrath91:7279.47%103
158Mernagh91:72721.43%266
158Molloy91:7279.18%96
158Mooney91:7277.44%70
158Pyne91:72790.00%843
158Roche91:7276.16%53
158Shaughnessy91:72790.00%843
158Thomson91:72756.25%606
179Boland81:81828.57%380
179Broad81:818100.00%976
179Codde81:818100.00%976
179Collins81:81810.53%137
179Cuthbertson81:818100.00%976
179Duffy81:8187.77%87
179Hallowes81:818100.00%976
179Hamilton81:81810.26%133
179Hanlon81:8186.78%72
179Heany81:818100.00%976
179Holden81:81826.67%355
179Hopkins81:81810.53%137
179Jordan81:81811.27%159
179Leybourne81:81880.00%843
179Lucas81:81828.57%380
179McDonagh81:81847.06%572
179Moran81:8186.56%69
179Ryder81:81813.33%199
179Sharpe81:81827.59%368
179Sheppard81:81847.06%572
179Tailyour81:818100.00%976
179Troy81:81811.76%171
179Woolahan81:81842.11%524