Guidebook for Wicklow

This castle ruin stands on a rocky promontory over the sea, at the eastern side of the town. Following the arrival of the Norman’s in 1169 Earl Strongbow was granted the lands along the East Coast. He in turn granted those lands to Baron Maurice Fitzgerald on condition that he build castles for protection. The Black Castle was constantly under attack from local Chieftains, notably those of the O’Byrne and O’Toole clans and in 1301 they succeeded in totally destroying the castle. There is a fine vantage-point for views over the town and the coast of North Wicklow from the ruins. You can easily walk to the Black Castle from Wicklow Town Main Street by turning onto the South Quay and walking a short distance past Hopkin’s Hardware and up the hill, you will clearly see the ruins just beyond the large cannons, which are on the grassy area.