Overview
Rathdrum (Irish: Ráth Droma, ‘ringfort of the ridge’) stands high on the western side of the Avonmore River valley, at the edge of the Wicklow Mountains. Two names give the town its weight: Charles Stewart Parnell, born a kilometre away at Avondale, and Anne Devlin, the republican and housekeeper to Robert Emmet, born in the town itself in 1780. It’s a compact town with a modest main street. Explore the public streets and Parnell Memorial Park, and follow local signs near the river. See Visit Wicklow’s Rathdrum page for local information.
History and heritage
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries Rathdrum was a serious centre for the woollen trade, flannel especially, built on local sheep and cottage spinning and weaving. A Flannel Hall was put up in 1795, and the town also carried two breweries, a tannery and a corn mill. The trade fell away after the Act of Union in 1800, and the market square that had hosted livestock fairs since the early 1700s slowly quietened. Local lore still has Parnell addressing crowds from the top of a beer barrel during the Land League campaigns.
The railway changed the place. The line from Wicklow reached the area in 1861, and the present Rathdrum station opened on 18 July 1863, once the viaduct was finished, replacing the earlier Kilcommon halt. More recently the town stood in for 1920s Ireland when much of Michael Collins (1996) was filmed here, with plenty of locals taken on as extras.
Parnell Memorial Park
The Rathdrum Development Association created Parnell Memorial Park in 1991, on 5.5 acres of former glebe land, to mark the centenary of Parnell’s death. A bronze statue of Parnell is the focal point; a bronze deer sculpture, added for the 400th anniversary of County Wicklow, sits among the reeds by the ponds, and the Round House viewing platform above the river was there in Parnell’s own day.
The park has benches looking out to the railway viaduct and the foothills. Check local signs for access arrangements and for any rules on dogs.
Walking the town and viaduct
The five-arch Avonmore Bridge, built in 1754 by John Braddel of Carnew, still carries traffic across the river; its stonework has been repaired over the centuries but the proportions are the originals. Just upstream, the Victorian railway viaduct dominates the skyline, and the line is still in use. See Irish Rail’s Rathdrum station page for current services and access information. The viaduct photographs best in low morning light or in autumn when the valley turns.
St Mary’s and St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, designed by J.J. McCarthy in the 1860s, looks over the valley in Gothic-revival style, its tracery echoing the monastic ruins at Glendalough. The Market Square and Fair Green remain the social hub, lined with independent shops, cafés and pubs.
Day trips and nearby highlights
Charles Stewart Parnell’s family home is at Avondale, south of town. Beyond the Trees Avondale runs the visitor site, forest trails and treetop walk. It is a separate visit from the town: check the operator for opening times and tickets, and use its directions to the visitor entrance.
Further afield, the Glenmalure Valley off the R752 draws walkers into rugged glacial scenery, and Baltinglass has a well-preserved 12th-century abbey. For the coast, Bray is on the same railway line to the north.
Practical information for visitors
- Opening and access: the town centre, bridge and viaduct can be seen from public streets. For the park, follow local signs and notices.
- Transport: see Irish Rail’s Rathdrum station page for services. The R752 connects to the N11/M11.
- Facilities: cafés, pubs and B&Bs in the town centre.
Start with the park and the town, then give the rest of the day to Avondale.