Precious archive for Wicklow Town opened up

Wicklow County Archives has minute books for Wicklow Corporation dating from 1662, the first of which has now been digitised and transcribed.  Wicklow Town became a borough by royal charter in 1603, granted by James I. This entitled the borough to return two members to parliament. Wicklow Borough Corporation consisted of a Portreeve (similar to a mayor) chosen annually from among the burgesses. 

Wicklow Town in the 1600s & 1700s

The minute book of the Wicklow Borough Corporation opens a door into the world of Wicklow Town as it developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, detailing the proceedings of the meetings of the town burgesses from 1662 to 1707.

Secretary hand

While the volume is written in English, the style of handwriting, known as secretary hand, is one that very few people can now read.  The entire volume was meticulously transcribed for the County Archives by local historian Therese Hicks.  Local historian John Finlay kindly assisted with proof reading the text.  The digitised collection and transcription can be accessed here.

Essays

See also brief essays by Therese Hicks, commissioned by the County Archives, exploring some of the salient themes of these minutes, and notes on interpreting them.