In total 16 interpretative panels have been developed in Ashford, Aughrim, Baltinglass, Blessington, Dunlavin, Enniskerry, Kilmacanogue, Lacken, Laragh, Newcastle, Newtownmountkennedy, Rathdangan, Rathdrum, Roundwood, Shillelagh and Tinahely
Since 2008, Wicklow Uplands Council has worked with a number of local communities to develop a network of interpretative panels which promote and raise awareness on the natural and built heritage in towns and villages throughout County Wicklow. The project relies on strong community participation and community groups are encouraged to take ownership of and actively develop their panel.
This project is a partnership between village communities, Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Uplands Council. To date the project has received funding from County Wicklow Partnership (LEADER), the Heritage Council and the Department for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Local communities also contribute to cost of the panel.
All information found on the panels can be fully explored in the links to the village below
Ashford
Ashford is derived from ‘Áth na Fuinseoige’, meaning the ford of the ash tree in Gaelic. Archaeological excavations in the immediate vicinity of Ashford, have unearthed […]
Aughrim
Welcome to Aughrim, one of the most beautiful villages in County Wicklow. Aughrim or ‘Eachdhruim’ means the steed’s back, a name derived from the surrounding hills. […]
Baltinglass
Baltinglass is located on both sides of the River Slaney in West Wicklow, joined by a three arched stone bridge. The name derives from the Irish, […]
Blessington
Welcome to Blessington, gateway to the valleys and mountains of West Wicklow. Blessington owes its origins to Michael Boyle, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of […]
Dunlavin
Dunlavin is a village with a rich and varied history. The name Dunlavin possibly refers to the Fort of Liamhán, who was a legendary princess of […]
Enniskerry
Enniskerry is an estate village and until recent times its prosperity depended on the local landlords, the Viscounts Powerscourt. The village began as a cluster of […]
Kilmacanogue
Welcome to Kilmacanogue, gateway to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, situated at the foot of the Great Sugarloaf Mountain on the main route from Dublin to […]
Lacken
Lacken: (‘An Leacain’, meaning hillside or slope in Gaelic), nestles in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains on the picturesque Lake Drive. The general area has […]
Laragh & Glendalough
An Láithreach (possibly from An Lár meaning centre, although there is some mystery surrounding this) is a village in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. Less […]
Newcastle
Welcome to Newcastle (Caisleán Nua MacFionnegan). The village takes its name from the old Royal Castle. A Bronze Age burial site, a horizontal water mill from […]
Newtownmountkennedy
Welcome to Newtownmountkennedy at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains on the main route from Dublin to Wexford. The town has the longest place name in […]
Rathdangan
This panel highlights the key heritage sites in Rathdangan and provides an overview of the Rathdangan Heritage Trail, from Killamoat Church to Cranreen Cemetry. Although a […]
Rathdrum
The town of Rathdrum stands in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. Ancient tradition maintains that Rathdrum was once the site of a hill fort, strategically […]
Roundwood
Roundwood, at 239 metres above sea level, is one of the highest villages in Ireland and is located on the main route from Dublin to Glendalough. […]
Shillelagh
Shillelagh comes from the Irish place name of Síol Éalaigh, meaning ‘Descendants of Éalach’. The village was originally laid out by the Earls Fitzwilliam as an […]
Tinahely
Tinahely is a charming market village located in a valley in south Wicklow near the Carlow and Wexford border. The village and its surrounding rural hinterland […]