WICKLOW, the assize-town, is built on an elevated spot projecting into the sea near the mouth of the Vartrey. It was originally the site of a castle erected by Maurice Fitzgerald, and was long maintained as a post of importance, under the superintendence of a constable. It is a branch of the port of Dublin, the harbour being formed by the river Vartrey, but owing to a bar it is only accessible to vessels of small burthen. There are eight feet of water on the bar at spring tides, and only five at neap. Most of the ore produced by the Wicklow mines is shipped here for smelting. The town is small and irregularly built, owing most of its support to the assizes and sessions. It was a borough by prescription, but its corporate rights were confirmed by a charter of James I., granted in 1613, to be enjoyed under a port-reeve, burgesses, and freemen, who
had a right of exemption from harbour-dues, and of pasturage on the common. By the municipal corporation act, the old corporation was dissolved, and, under certain conditions, power is to be given to create a new one, styled "the portreeve, free burgesses, and commonalty of the town of Wicklow." There are a Saturday market, and four fairs annually. Races are held every year at the Murragh, a border of dry sandy land, extending for several miles along the seashore to the north of the town, forming a peninsula, which encloses a long narrow basin. The population in 1821 amounted to 2146, in 1831 to 2472, and in 1851 to 3141. The population of the other towns having each upwards of 2000 inhabitants was, in 1851, as follows:—Bray, 3156; Arklow, 3306. (H. 8.—R.)