| Newcastle, County Wicklow |
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HISTORY The village is half a mile from the Castle and Church where it was originally located - oddly enough the main street has moved to surround the Pub in what must surely be a reflection of modern Ireland. Newcastle takes its name from the Castle, built by the Normans on an earlier Irish Fortification in the territory of the O'Byrne's. Constructed in the period between 1177 and 1184 by Hugh de Lacy then governor of Ireland under Henry II , the Castle called Newcastle Mackynegan, became a major stronghold in the outer fortifications of the Pale . Even so it was attacked and occupied at intervals by the Wicklow Irish chieftains the O' Tooles and the O' Byrnes. The current ruin on the site is not that of the castle which was destroyed in the 1500's but of a building which was erected on the site. The Castle was the County Seat and administrative centre until the Shiring of Wicklow county in the 1500s when it moved to Wicklow town after the castle was again raided. The church is located a few hundred feet from the castle and some parts of the building date from the 12th Century . This Church is named as a Prebend as early as 1227 . In 1467 it was assigned by Archbishop Tregury to the Archdeacon of Glendalough . In 1872 the Archdeacon of Glendalough ceased to have a place in the Chapter , as such, and the separate prebend of Newcastle was revived. The current Rector is the Reverent William Bennett - The church which is owned by the Church Of Ireland ( Anglicans ) is also used as the local Catholic Church for services since 2000 when it was agreed to share it. The local Primary School St Francis 's is located beside the church. There is a ruin of a Catholic church about 2 miles from the village with a Graveyard . LOCAL RECREATION In more recent times, Newcastle has seen the building of a Community Centre providing space for sporting and recreational activities. An Information Technology Centre provides training for all ages. The young population is very socially and culturally active with many club and organisations like the local Gaelic Athletic Association Club, Indoor Soccer , Bowls , Badminton , Tennis and Croquet . Newcastle is very close to the beach, which is excellent for Swimming , Walking and shore Angling . There is one pub, The Bridge Inn (previously the Castle inn) one shop/garage and a jeweller in the village. Close by is Blackditch Wood, an 89-hectare (220 acre) priority Woodland and Wetland site a restored Nature Reserve project creating a large wetland complex, for the protection of Annex 1 birds threatened within the European Union . The reserve will comprises a variety of diverse habitats, including pure birch forest, fen and willow scrub, natural grasslands, a conifer plantation, 8km of drainage ditches and farmland for grazing and crop planting. The site includes a diverse but protected habitats, attracting a wildlife diversity, protecting threatened bird, flora and insect species. Dublin Bus provides services between Newcastle and Dublin on their 84 bus with a journey time of about 90 minutes. EXTERNAL LINKS
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