County Wicklow – where Saint Palladius landed in 431
County Wicklow's recorded history begins with a remarkable arrival: in the year 431, Saint Palladius, a bishop sent to the Christians of Ireland, landed at Wicklow harbour with his companions. He founded three early churches at Donard, Tigroney and Colbinstown, despite opposition from Naithi, chief of the local Cualann people, before travelling on to Scotland.
Many early monasteries followed, making the Wicklow hills an important place of Christian learning. Much later, Wicklow became the last of Ireland's traditional 32 counties, formed in 1606. Today the 'Garden of Ireland' is loved for its mountains, lakes and coastline just south of Dublin. Have a Wicklow story or local legend? Share it with the community!