The Ferrybank Lounge is at the heart of the Arklow Bay Hotel. The stylish and modern décor matches professional and friendly service for an experience you won’t forget. The recently revamped Lounge Menu offers outstanding cuisine with an array of delicious dishes available. All produce is hand selected from Irish suppliers with the majority of produce sourced locally. This open and airy lounge with large comfortable chairs offers a fantastic selection of beers, fine wines, Bewley’s Coffee and inspired cocktails served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Plentiful parking is available onsite for customers. Check out the daily market fresh specials from on the black board screen or the exceptional Sunday lunch carvery. Open Monday to Saturday 12.30pm – 8.30pm. Sunday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Address: Arklow Bay Web: www.arklowbay.com/ferrybank-lounge Conference & Leisure Hotel, Email: reservations@arklowbay.com Sea Road, Arklow, Tel: 0402 26200 Co Wicklow.

Arklow Maritime Museum & Heritage Research Centre, located on the North Quay, looks out over the Great Estuary of the River Avoca. As you embark on your voyage of discovery inside the museum, explore a treasure trove of maritime memorabilia - you will soon begin to understand the significance of the Sea to Arklow’s heritage. Arklow's extraordinary maritime heritage is reflected in a unique and significant collection which extends to international waters. Treasures of the boat building, lifeboat, and fishing traditions of Arklow have been collected, preserved and are now on display, and are further brought to life by the wonderful museum staff who have many tales to tell! Explore models of vessels built in Arklow, tools, navigational equipment, paintings, and artefacts. These include Sir Francis Chichester's Gypsy Moth III. Children will love the operational model of the wheelhouse controls of a trawler. View the Arklow Geansaí – older than the Aran version, and unique and intricate jumper knitted without a seem, on a single needle. Open: Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., except 1 Jan and 24th, 25th, & 26th December. Arklow Maritime Museum, web: https://www.arklowmaritimeheritage.ie/ Bridgewater Centre, Email: info@arklowmaritimeheritage.ie Arklow, Phone: 0402 91683 Co Wicklow

At the Bridge Hotel you will be warmly welcomed by the Hoey family. Enjoy great pub grub all day from a hearty full Irish breakfast, to light lunches of soup and sandwiches, to main meals in the evening. Food Served seven days a week, with breakfast available from 7.30am. Free customer parking is available in the small carpark adjacent with more parking on Main Street. Open: 7.30am to 9pm for food. Address: Bridge St Web: www.arklowbridgehotel.com Arklow, Email: info@arklowbridgehotel.com Co Wicklow. Tel: 0402 31666

While only the ruins of the Ormonde Castle remain, the castle origins can be traced back to the Viking times, and this site marks the Medieval core of Arklow town. What remains of Castle, on the edge of a steep rocky outcrop in an area known as ‘The Alps’, can be best viewed up close adjacent Courthouse on Main Street Arklow directly across from St Mary & Peters Church. To get an idea of the scale of the building, it is possible to view its elevated position from the banks of the River Avoca along the Riverwalk and from walking along the Coomie Lane. History of the Ormonde Castle Although evidence exists that the site of the Ormonde Castle had been a Viking seasonal base from the 9th Century, documented records only began with the arrival of the Normans. In 1185, Theobald Walter, also known as Fitzwalter, was granted the ‘castle of Arklow with the vill of Arklow’. During the 1920’s his great-grandson, Theobald Fitzwalter IV, replaced the early fortification with a stone complex. This extensive complex was spread over a large area now occupied by the remains of a single castle tower, three homes, the old Ormonde cinema and Ormonde Hall. The Fitzwater’s, under the name Butler, eventually became one of the most powerful families in Ireland as earls and later dukes of Ormonde. It’s probable that Arklow remained a Norman stronghold over subsequent years and that a thriving marketplace operated in the area in front of the castle, now called the Parade Ground. However, the castle was to suffer many attacks during the 16th Century. In September 1649, Oliver Cromwell and his army passed through Arklow and although his arch-rival was the Earl of Ormonde who’s first seat at the time was the castle at Arklow, on this occasion the castle and its residents were unharmed, and Cromwell spent a peaceful night there. However, the Castles royalist garrison fled rather than engage with Cromwell’s army, and when Cromwell moved on, he left behind his own garrison. However, the garrison was attacked and killed by some local clans, the O’Toole’s and the O’Byrne’s, about three months later. Arklow was under siege for around 8 weeks until Colonel Hewson arrived from Dublin with 1,000 horse and foot men to relieve the town, prompting the attackers to retreat. In January 1650 the O'Byrne’s and O'Toole’s laid siege to the Castle once more. Captain Barrington, in charge of the small garrison, met the clans and fought a bitter and bloody battle. Many of the attackers were killed and the rest fled to the surrounding hills. Two months later, Cromwell ordered the castle’s destruction, leaving just one badly damaged tower. Today, part of the castle wall and circular corner tower remain. This tower would have defended to the north of the castle. Within the curtain wall there is a sallyport gateway, a type of secure entrance way which would have protected from enemy penetration, and a small window which is covered with vegetation. The castle tower is reputed to be haunted by a ghostly drummer boy who came to an untimely and grisly end in the tower dungeon.

This newly refurbished gastro-pub offers great food daily and is conveniently located on Arklow’s Main Street. There is a great choice of a la carte menu options to choose from with Asian dishes a speciality, as well as traditional Irish dishes too. A good selection of cocktails are also available. Sit down and take away both available. Parking to the rear in Castlepark carpark. Open: Mon-Thursday 3pm-9pm, Friday-Sunday 1pm-9pm Address: 31 Main Street, Email: theoldhousearklow19@gmail.com Arklow Tel: 0402 32250

Straddling the Great Estuary at the mouth of the River Avoca is Arklow’s iconic Nineteen Arches bridge, built between 1754 and 1756 by Andrew Noble. This impressive stone arch bridge features nineteen segmental arches with hammered or rough-cut rubble stone voussoirs. It links the Main Street and southern end of town with the northern part, called Ferrybank. The Nineteen Arches Bridge is the longest handmade stone bridge in Ireland, and you’ll find an information board close to the Bridge Hotel with more details. Folklore has it that after the bridge was completed Noble saw a flaw – he had forgotten to allow for recesses along the parapet where pedestrians could stand in out of the way of passing wagons and animal herds. The story goes that he could not live with the shame and committed suicide in 1959. The story itself has one major flaw! Andrew Noble is buried in an ancient graveyard at Ennereilly, just north of Arklow and had he really committed suicide at this time, would not have been buried in consecrated ground. Before the bridge was there at all the crossings were made by small boats, which were pulled across the river on a rope, with landing platforms on both banks. The south terminal was the ‘town bank’ while the north terminal was known as the ‘ferry bank’ – now Ferrybank. There is evidence that a wooden bridge replaced the ferry around the end of the 17th Century, and this bridge is shown on a copy of a 1726 Allen (later Glenart) estate map. In more recent years, during the erection of dry quays, enormous heaps of bones were found in this area, which are presumed to be the ‘fallen’ from a battle at this site in 1798. Over the years the bridge has been remodeled and because of various works in the area, now only seventeen and a half arches are visible.

The Abbey of the Holy Cross was a Dominican Friary established in Arklow in the year 1264, at the invitation of Theobald FitzWalter, Chief Butler of Ireland who had been granted the town of Arklow and its hinterlands in around 1185. There is evidence of the importance placed on the Abbey when in 1414 Pope John XXII granted an indulgence to those who visited the Abbey in Arklow. This gave freedom to people from being punished for previously committed sins, which points to the possibility of a relic of the Holy Cross being kept in the Abbey, however there is no concrete evidence of this. The Abbey was suppressed in 1539, the Dominicans and the friars abandoned the Abbey, and it fell into ruins with no trace of the original structure today. The adjacent Abbey Cemetery is all that remains, as well as the limestone cross said to have come from the Abbey Church. Musket balls have been found embedded in the cemetery dry stone walls, relics of the 1798 rebellion, which saw one of the bloodies battles of the Irish Rebeilion take place in Arklow, with rebel casualties estimated at about 1,000. For more information on this you can read the historic panels on display within the Cemetery walls. This spiritual oasis of peace is home to a wonderful display of roses in Summer, which were chosen for the garden due to their symbolic link to Christianity. Open: 10am to 4pm daily Address: Main Street Arklow Co Wicklow Access: Ramp and paved paths provided Parking: in the adjacent carpark (paid)

At the Old Kilbride Graveyard on the outskirts of Arklow Town is Arklow's Pyramid, described as the largest pyramid tomb 'beyond the banks of the Nile' by Sir John Betjeman, (1906-84). It’s difficult to know if this is true, but it’s not uncommon for pyramid structures to be used as burial markers in cultures around the world. The Pyramid sits on the highest point in the ancient Kilbride cemetery, alongside ruins of a medieval church. The outer cladding of pyramid is granite, and it reaches a height of about 30 feet, allowing it to be seen from up to two miles away. The most interesting aspect of this structure is that it is the final earthly resting place of 18 members of the Howard family. Ralph Howard, Viscount of Wicklow, commissioned the pyramid in 1785 as a mausoleum for his loved ones. During this period in time, artistic imitations of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian styles were a sign of an educated, well-travelled and fashionable member of society. Although the mausoleum is sealed now, access to the inside was through a little door in the north wall. Passing down a narrow 8 feet long walkway brings you to a chamber which is roughly 10 feet square, with an impressive, curved brick ceiling. Inside the chamber, on each side are niches of coffins - three rows of three, space for nine coffins in total.

Sally’s Kitchen is part of the Sally’s O’Brien’s Pub & Nightclub and Royal Hotel complex on Main Street Arklow. Menus feature steaks, burgers, wings and ribs with combo meals including a pint also available. Full dessert menu and kids menu is also served. Live music and nightclub on weekends with regular DJ slots. Parking is available along Main Street. Open: Friday 5pm to 8pm. Saturday 12pm to 8pm Sunday 12pm to 6pm. Address: 25 Main Street Web: www.sallyobriens.ie Arklow, Tel: 0402 32524 Co Wicklow.

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Arklow is conveniently connected to the rest of Ireland by Motorway, Rail and Bus services and is positioned halfway between Dublin and Rosslare, on the East Coast of Ireland. It takes about one hour by car or 90 minutes by bus or rail to reach Arklow from either location, and there are regular daily public transport services to choose from - Ferry: Arklow is served by the Rosslare to Dublin Connolly service which operates several times each day in both directions. The Arklow Train Station is located a 5-minute walk from the town centre, at St Mary’s Road. Check Irish Rail (https://www.irishrail.ie) for up-to-date fare information and timetables. There is a wheelchair ramp available at the station, however no wheelchair accessible toilets, and there is free Wi-Fi on board the train. Bicycles that are folded and covered can be carried on services. Bicycles are not permitted on Commuter services before 09:30hrs and between the hours of 16:00hrs and 19:00hrs Monday to Friday. Customers can travel with bikes all day Saturday and Sunday. Air: The closest airport to Arklow at 90km away is Dublin International Airport, which serves over 190 destinations in the UK, European and Internationally with direct flights, and more again if connecting through. Terminal 1 is the main terminal and accepts arrivals from mainly the UK and Europe, while most long-haul flights arrive at Terminal 2. From the airport you can reach Arklow by bus, taxi or by hire car. Irish Airlines: Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) & Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) Hire Car Companies: There are many hire companies to choose from – view them all here https://www.dublinairport.com/to-from-the-airport/car-rental Bus: There are two bus companies serving Arklow from Dublin Airport with a journey time of about 90 minutes. We recommend you check up to date timetables and fares online and book your seat in advance where possible in case demand outstrips availability. See below for more detail on reaching Arklow by Bus. Bus: To/ From Dublin / Wexford / Waterford - There are two bus operators serving the route from Dublin Airport-Dublin City-Arklow-Wexford. Journey time is 90 minutes Airport to Arklow, 60 minutes Dublin City to Arklow and 70 minutes Wexford to Arklow. You can reach Arklow from Waterford with a change in Wexford Town, using either Bus Eireann or Wexford Bus. Journey time depends on the wait time in Wexford for the next service. Bus Eireann (www.buseireann.ie) operates the Route 2. Services are almost hourly between 6am and Midnight. The bus travels right through town and there are stops at Templerainey, Ferrybank, Main Street and on the Wexford Road. Bus Éireann intercity services will carry a normal bike for a fee and covered folding ones for free. Bicycles, along with prams or buggies, will be carried only if there is space available and these items must be placed in the luggage compartment. Alternatively, Wexford Bus (www.wexfordbus.com) Route 740 serves the outskirts of Arklow town (near the Rugby Club) on an almost hourly basis from 2.40am to 8.30pm. Wexford Bus does not go through Arklow Town but uses a stop 2km outside so bear this in mind if using this service. There is a €10 charge to bring your bicycle on Wexford Bus which can be carried when the driver deems that there is sufficient space in the luggage compartment. To / From Carlow - LocalLink is a subsidised bus service operating Route 800 between Carlow Town and Arklow. It runs 4 times daily Monday to Saturday and twice on Sundays. The service departs Carlow IT before stopping at Carlow Train Station and then continuing via Tinahely and Aughrim on to Arklow where there are drop off points on the Wexford Road and Arklow Train Station. The total journey time from Carlow to Arklow is 2 hours. Train: Arklow is served by the Rosslare to Dublin Connolly service which operates several times each day in both directions. The Arklow Train Station is located a 5-minute walk from the town centre, at St Mary’s Road. Check Irish Rail (https://www.irishrail.ie) for up-to-date fare information and timetables. There is a wheelchair ramp available at the station, however no wheelchair accessible toilets, and there is free Wi-Fi on board the train. Bicycles that are folded and covered can be carried on services. Bicycles are not permitted on Commuter services before 09:30hrs and between the hours of 16:00hrs and 19:00hrs Monday to Friday. Customers can travel with bikes all day Saturday and Sunday.

Arklow Pottery was founded in 1934 at South Quay and while the building is now defunct, and the pottery no longer in production, the legacy lives on in the homes of many people all around Ireland and the globe. Over the years, with changing trends and fashions, the company produced a huge range of diverse decorative earthenware goods and table crockery. There was a set of Arklow Pottery in most Irish homes, which was usually brought out for special occasions, and was often gifted as a special wedding present to newly married couples. Around Arklow Town today you will find many nods to the ceramics tradition which has infiltrated the social fabric. In the town park the fountain is decorated with colourful mosaics and along the Riverbank you’ll find a wall of ceramic tiles designed and decorated by school children. More specific to Arklow Pottery there are displays of original pieces in The Bridgewater Shopping Centre and in The Pottery Restaurant of the Arklow Bay Hotel. The History of Arklow Pottery Arklow Pottery was the second Irish pottery after Carrigaline in Cork to be founded by the Free State. As there was no great pottery tradition in Ireland at the time, the new Arklow factory employed about 30 experienced craftspeople from the Staffordshire Potteries in England. When the factory opened 200 people were employed, which grew to about 480 at its peak. After a few years in production, Arklow Pottery had developed its own style, with many of the earlier patterns using 22 carat gold to finish the products. Up to 25,000 items of pottery per week were being fired in a huge tunnel oven, which was said to have been the second largest of its kind in the world. Over the years Arklow Pottery developed more mass production lines aimed at everyday use in the home but were also commissioned on special occasions to make commemorative pieces including items for Pope John Paul’s visit to Ireland in 1979 and a plaque with portrait of Padraic Pearse, as well as dinnerware for top Dublin hotels such as The Shelbourne and The Gresham. Some of the more valuable pieces are from renowned ceramic artist John ffrench, whose work was radically different from anything else in Ireland at that time. From 1962 to 1969, ffrench ran Arklow Studio Pottery, an art pottery within the main factory, producing many beautiful decorative and functional pieces using bright colours and a unique style. One of his pieces, an Arklow Pottery cup and saucer with Tiger stripes, designed in around 1950, is held and exhibited by the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. In 1977 Arklow Pottery ran in financial difficulties and became a subsidiary of the Japanese company, Noritake. The company carried on producing until 1998 when it finally closed its doors. Arklow Pottery sets and individual pieces are now very much collectors’ items to be treasured. If you are interested in sharing stories of Arklow Pottery or chatting about your collection we recommend you join the Arklow Pottery Facebook Group.