franciscan friary

Some remains of a Franciscan Friary may be seen in the grounds of the parish priest's house. Founded by one of the Fitzgeralds in the thirteenth century, it later came under the patronage of the O'Byrnes. After the dissolution of the monasteries at the time of the Reformation the building became a courthouse later it was used as a store for war equipment. The heritage centre in the modern courthouse provides a genealogical service and has some interesting artefacts relating to the history of the town. The Church of Ireland parish church, though itself a late structure , has an interesting Norman doorway in the south porch and an ancient stone font. In Market Square, the 1798 Memorial remembers Wicklowmen who fought in this and later struggles: it consists of a life size figure of a pikeman. On Kilmantan Hill is Wicklow Gaol ( now disused)) Billy Byrne of Ballymanus, a leader of the 1798 Rising, was among those imprisoned in it .