Page 44 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

COUNTY WICKLOW'S 'HIDDEN' HERITAGE PARK

how to read one then. Anyway, I got a bus out there and
walked up and walked down again.

Christ Bonington climbed Mount Everest in 1985.

Many climb the Sugarloaf, but do they realise its significance,
and the historical and archaeological heritage of the surrounding
area? When one mentions something sacred, the Devil is not far
away. So as we continued our walk to the main road, on the left
we paused to observe Knocknadiabh, meaning ‘the hill of the
Devil’. It is a large clay and gravel mound, largely surrounded by
water. It is as yet not known whether it is a natural landscape
feature or man-made.

As we waited for transport to take us back to Calary Church,
many who have lived in the locality for years were surprised that
this small area held such significant secrets. This area, without
great expense, could and should be made known and available
to many more people in Wicklow and Dublin. To preserve and
indicate the ringforts, perhaps some of the large white quartz
stones that lie around could be placed on the mounds. In
addition, some of the wet areas would require wooden walkways
and a stile or two, and the entire route way-marked. In
consultation with one or two local farmers, the area would then
be protected from the impact of human and animals for
generations to come.

As suggested earlier, such a Heritage Park, largely on
common land and marked, and with an appropriate brochure to
accompany it, would ensure its preservation and would be an
immense asset to Co Wicklow. Close to the capital city and just
off the N11, one would expect it to be used by many interested
in our historical past, as well as tourists, walkers, school children,
university students, and all who value and enjoy a varied
landscape of mountains, valleys, rivers, forest and an historical
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