Rathdrum, County Wicklow

History

The town and area is referred to as Rathdrum in records stretching back as far back as 1604 in the Calendar of Patent Rolls of James I but is likely of much older origin.

Avondale House was built near the town around 1779.

The Comerford family established a mill in the town in the 19th century.

Transport

Railway

Rathdrum is served by mainline train and bus from Dublin and Rosslare. Rathdrum railway station opened on 18 July 1863, replacing the earlier terminus at Rathdrum (Kilcommon) (opened on 20 August 1861) when the line was extended.

Bus

Wexford Bus route 740 from Wicklow to Arklow serves Rathdrum twice a day each way (once each way on Sundays) and provides a link to Avoca, Woodenbridge, Glenealy and Rathnew.

The Wicklow Way bus service operates two routes linking Rathdrum railway station and Rathdrum with Glendalough and Tinahely, respectively.

Politics and government

Rathdrum is part of the Wicklow constituency for national elections and referendums, and the South European Parliament constituency for European elections.

Rathdrum is the location of the Honorary Consulate of Belarus in Ireland.

People

Born in Rathdrum:

• Anne Devlin (1780–1851), Irish republican and housekeeper to Robert Emmet
• Dudley Higgins, Ireland national rugby union team player and former president of the Irish Rugby Football Union
• Patrick Moran, first Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, New Zealand
• Charles Stewart Parnell, nationalist politician once dubbed the "uncrowned king of Ireland" was born at nearby Avondale House. This house is now open to the public and situated in Avondale Forest park.

Notable residents:

• Hazel O'Connor, English singer-songwriter and actress

Filming location

The following works have been filmed in part in the town:

• Michael Collins (1996)

References

References

1. "Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Rathdrum". [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland).
2. "Ráth Droma/Rathdrum".
3. "Dictionary of Irish Architects".
4. (26 June 2021). "Rathdrum".
5. "Rathdrum station". Railscot - Irish Railways.
6. "Archived copy".
7. "Wicklow Way Bus Service".
8. "HONORARY CONSULAR REPRESENTATIVES IN IRELAND PAGE 199".
9. Ó Doibhilín. "Anne Devlin - bravest of the brave". Kilmainham Tales.
10. "James Arthur Dudley Higgins". ESPN.
11. (3 January 2000). "Rugby: Dudley Higgins' unique role in Irish rugby". Belfast Telegraph.
12. [https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2m55/moran-patrick Hugh Laracy, ''Moran, Patrick'', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 30-Oct-2012] (Retrieved 22 March 2023)
13. (2020). "The stunning home & estate of Charles Stewart Parnell". Curious Ireland.
14. (22 July 2010). "A life of walking on broken glass". Gorey Guardian.
15. Galvin, Tom. (2025-03-07). "Europe's Hollywood: Explore the iconic filming locations of Wicklow". [[Bray People]].