Page 79 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

GREYSTONES ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL VOLUME 9

Communications

From earliest times County Wicklow was difficult to traverse
because of the rough terrain, mountains, bogs and forested
areas; travel was forbidding. Much of the travelling that was done
was by sea and by river.

Verbal communication was quoted as being unreliable
because of the poor education of the population.

Early roads were dreadful. County Wicklow does not appear
to have evidence of ancient road ways, and Ireland did not have
the benefit of Roman road makers, although 'An Tóchar'
[Roundwood] may refer to an ancient road or track way
constructed across a bog in the area.

It is not known if the five trackways listed in the annals of the
four masters ever reached as far as County Wicklow. However,
Slighe Cualann may have been extended south from Bray to
form the basis for the N11 or R761 today. As mentioned above,
most long-distance travel was by water in Medieval times.

In 1614 the Irish Parliament passed the Highways Act which
enabled the Parishes to maintain roads within their boundaries
with emphasis on those serving Market towns. The parishes
were encouraged to maintain existing roads and to build new
ones. In 1634 a new act allowed the levying of taxes '… to ensure
the repair, maintenance or reconstruction of bridges, fords or
causeways.'

Herman Moll’s map, dated 1714, shows the familiar routes,
approximately, of the N11, N81, and the coast road R761
through Redford. [Radfoard]

In 1765 the County Grand Juries were empowered to raise

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