Cherry Orchard, Killincarrig Pic Robert French. Colourised by GG.
e’ve been trying to pull together a history of Killincarrig for quite some time now, but, the archives haven’t exactly been forthcoming…
The earliest mention we could find of the place was in 1837’s A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland.
The entry reads…
KILLINCARRIG, a village, in the parish of DELGANY, barony of RATHDOWN, 
county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER, ½ a mile (E. N. E.) from Delgany, on the road from Bray to Wicklow; containing 23 houses and 168 inhabitants. Killincarrick House, the seat of A. Jones, Esq., is situated in grounds tastefully laid out and commanding very fine mountain and sea views: in the demesne are the ivy-clad remains of an ancient castle, in which several silver coins of William III. were discovered in 1833. Mr. Jones has an extensive flour-mill here.
Hugh Mooney 1924
Pop into The Carraig bar (formerly The Orchard Inn, formerly P.J. O’Connor’s pub, etc) and you’ll find a framed photo with its own little slice of Killincarrig history…
Killincarrig stands upon a considerable eminence, commanding views both of the sea and of the mountain inland, and although the village is of considerable antiquity, the old houses have nearly all disappeared, and have been replaced by dwellings of a modern type.
The Orchard 1990
In 1641, some troops quartered in a temporary barrack in this village to protect the property of residents in the neighbourhood. In connection with the sojourn of this garrison, it is recorded in Dudley Loftus’s minutes of the Courts Martial at Dublin Castle that one Kathleen Farrell was arrested in Killincarrig as a spy, taken to Dublin, and sentenced to be hanged, which sentence, it may be presumed, was duly carried out.
Another case from the same locality was that of John Bayly, a soldier, who was tried for desertion. As the penalty for this offence was usually death, there must have been some extenuating circumstances in his case, as he was merely sentenced to run the gauntlet of the soldiers stationed at Killincarrig, the soldiers armed with switches, and the culprit with his back bare and his hands tied behind him.
The teenage Charlie
The carrying out of this sentence probably provided a pleasant day’s amusement for the inhabitants of the village, who doubtless had anything but friendly feelings for the soldiers quartered there, and were heartily glad when the time came for their departure.
At a distance of about half a mile from Killincarrig is the pretty village of Delgany, picturesquely situated no a rising ground, in the midst of an undulating and richly-wooded country, and adjoining the southern entrance to the Glen of the Downs. 
Immediately below the village is the deep-wooded valley of the Three Trout River.
There are other small chunks of history that we hope to unearth over the coming weeks and add here – such as Mary Whelan’s list of 
Lower Mill Road residents, in the comments blow, and tales of only being allowed to speak Irish in Clarke’s shop – but, for now, we thought it might be wise to talk to two dyed-in-the-wool villagers who, unlike GG, might actually know what they’re talking about – the mighty Charlie O’Reilly and the even mightier Ethel Jacobson.
Both Charlie and Ethel have family going back generations in Killincarrig, and, more importantly, they grew up among its shops and houses, tea room and bar, its people and its stories.
We’ll be adding to this history over time (including our ever-evolving Killincarrig Castle archive), so, if you have any pics or stories, send ’em on in on email here, and we’ll add them below. Just, you know, keep it clean…
Killincarrig with Cherry Orchard & Provisions Store
Killincarrig Village Postcard published by GL Pepper, Greystones
That Pepper 1910 postcard in living colour
Killincarrig 1906
Killincarrig Castle, returning to earth…
Lodge at Killincarrig Crossroads. home to Bridget & Michael O’Reilly, head shepherd for the Burnaby Estate
Killincarrig Rush Hour
Killincarrig 1880-1900 Robert French. Colourised by Gary O’Brien
Beautiful Killincarrig (Private Collection) Peter Growney
Killincarrig Cottage, still standing, 1980s…
Killincarrig Cottage – known as Tinker’s Nook – in its prime…
And in full colour…
Michael Gammell took over John Clarke’s shop, who traded for over 100 years in Killincarrig
Clarke’s Shop, Killincarrig
Jack and Joan Clarke outside their Killincarrig shop 1983
The Orchard Inn Killincarrig Source Jamie McDonald
Killincarrig In Full Bloom 20FEB17
The Notorious Hurley Brothers. Colourised by Gary O’Brien
Charlie O’Reilly & Jimmy Clarke, Castle Field circa 1954
Killincarrig’s Brendan Hayden gets ready to shoot ’em up
Charlie O’Reilly’s grandparents, Bridget & Michael c.1933
Killincarrig Cowboys Jack Clarke, Charlie O’Reilly, Brendan Hayden, Alan Hayden & Jimmy Clarke Castle Villas circa 1954
May, Alan & Bernie Hayden with Charlie O’Reilly, 3 Castle Villas c.1956
Alan Hayden, Castle Villas 1951
Pat & Tess Byrne outside The Cherry Orchard Mon 27th June 1951
Afternoon tea in the Cherry Orchard, Killincarrig. Colourised by GG.
Mrs Annie O’Connor, prop of PJ O’Connor’s pub
Killincarrig barmaid Marie O’Connor feeling a little horse. 1950
George & Jackie Campbell. Source Una Campbell
The bould Martin!
Orchard United 2. Pic John McGowan
Orchard United sometimes in the 1970s. Or the 1870s.
Orchard United 1975-77. Pic John McGowan
Orchard United with Hugo, Flann, Derek Green, Mossy, Se Kinsella, Mick O’Neill, Pat Fortune, Garry Campbell, Decci Byrne, Willie Gilbert, Garry Byrne, Par Redmond, Kevin Barry, Mossy, Frankie. Pic John McGowan
United are the champions, my friend…
Orchard Girls 1975 Pauline Morris Phil Kane Kay Kearns nee Campbell Una Campbell nee Donnelly F Missy Hayden Bridget Commons Bernie White
Downey Family Killincarrig. Pic: John McGowan
Marie Nolan (nee O’Toole), Jimmy O’Toole and Helen Maher (nee O’Toole) from Killincarrig. Pic: John McGowan
Cherry Orchard Tea Rooms 1916
The Cherry Orchard 4th July 2017
11 comments
Came across this page researching Byrne Descendants from Ireland that travelled to Australia.
Fantastic reading
Love the piece on killincarrig Michael and Bridget O Reilly were my and Breedas grandparents also and my father was born in 1903 in that cottage .Spent alot of time growing up over in Charlies house loved it ,we lived in lower kindlestown .
I knew several places, and people published in the photos. I lived for a while in Castle Villas.
Trying to get in touch with Jack Clarke , worked with him in Australia over forty years ago wondering where he got to. Does anybody here know where he got to? Thanks in advance. Snap frozen
Have sent Jack your email, my man…
WE PLAYED IN IT AS KIDS O GOT ALL THE GOOD TIMBER BEAMS AFTER ALL THE YEARS THEY WERE STILL LIKE NEW THERE IS A TUNNEL IN IT LEADS 2 THE MILL HOUSE ALSO FOUND A HANGIN ROPE AS A SMALL CHILD WASNT SURE WHAT IT WAS ALOT OF HISTORY THERE ALL RITE S..
The part of Killincarrig that the Nobles lived on is Castlefield Terrace. And Alan beat me to it with the info on Patrick and Molly Smullen’s ages… Carmel Smullen.
Proud villager Mary Whelan got in touch too, keen to let us know all of her neighbours on Lower Mill Road. Might be a few repeats in here, and we had to guess where the commas go at times too, but, here goes…
Mrs E Reynolds, Martins, Jones (Cox & Ryan’s), Keegans, O’Toole, Gregory, (Hatton), me, Mc Inerney, Evans, Ryans, Harts, O’Connor, Earls, Keddy, Ciss, Suttons, Keans, Kellys, Gormans, Miss Kenna, Dowdalls, Martins, Campbell – that is on one side,
From crossroads down, Ms Corrigan, Darcys, Mooneys, Downs, Barrys, Bradshaws, Greens, Suttons, Murphy, Dowd, Suttons, Doran, Darcy, Nolan, Mooney, Murray, Corrigan and Kenna.
Lovely photos. I remember about 1984 going in to Clarke’s shop for a Coke or something – I think I was cycling to Kilcooole – and they were very suspicious of the fiver I offered – not thinking it was fake or anything, but wondering how come I had such an amount! The fiver was probably from caddying.
I remember Mum used to take us to the cherry orchard. Great memories. There was a huge swing on one side and remember my brother Charlie went full circle on it. Mum went ballistic. Brilliant!!
Well done Charlie and Ethel. Charlie you were very generous to Pat Smullen who is 68 and Molly on her 93 year. Very interesting to hear your memories. Regards. AS.