County publication: Wicklow and the War of Independence

Book can be downloaded at the end of the article

Wicklow and the War of Independence – county publication now in hard-copy and online

Wicklow County Archives is proud to present the county publication Wicklow and the War of Independence.  The book brings together a collection of essays and images by 12 of the county’s historians who have researched the revolutionary era in their respective localities from a variety of perspectives.  The result is a series of interwoven studies that bring the complex tapestry of this significant part of Wicklow history into new and sharper focus.

In his foreword, Wicklow County Council’s Chief Executive, Mr. Frank Curran states

“The Wicklow Decade of Centenaries Programme supports the development of initiatives at county and community level to re-examine and commemorate significant events, individuals and groups during the revolutionary years (1913–23) in County Wicklow.  I believe that as part of this project, this publication Wicklow and the War of Independence, which is focused on Wicklow’s experience of the War of Independence (1919–­21), contributes to this goal by combining local stories and experiences with local research and scholarship via access to local archives. In doing so, it promotes a greater understanding of historical events and their legacies and thus encourages communities toward further exploration and reflection. It is a tangible demonstration of the benefits of free public access to authentic local archival sources, including online access to digitised local archives such as those available on the Wicklow County Council portal www.wicklow.ie .

The ebook version of the book was launched to mark the anniversary of the Truce which officially began on the 11th of July 1921.  The hard-copy of the book has now been launched, with the exhibition of the same name, at the official opening of the new Wicklow Library & Archives, Wicklow Town on the 31st of August, 2021 by Minister Heather Humphries and Minister Darragh O’Brien.

Hard copies of the book will be distributed to the Wicklow Library Service branches, the secondary schools of County Wicklow and the Wicklow historical societies.  Copies of the book are now available to purchase in-store or online at the following County Wicklow bookshops:

• Bridge Street Books Wicklow Town
• The Village Bookshop Greystones
• Dubray Books Bray

This is a Wicklow Decade of Centenaries project supported by Wicklow County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.