Shillelagh (Irish: Síol Éalaigh, meaning “Descendants of Éalach”)
The town was planned as part of the FitzWilliam estate in the 17th century. Nearby Coolattin House (designed by John Carr and built around 1800) was the seat of the Fitzwilliam Estate. Coolattin Lodge was the home farm to Coolattin House. Tomnafinnoge Woods is the largest remaining oak forest in Ireland. It is a stronghold of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, which has recently recolonised Ireland. One of only two Cork Oaks in Ireland exists in Shillelagh. The town name is associated with the blackthorn walking stick known as a shillelagh.
In 1224 nearby Coolattin oak woods were declared a Royal Forest and its timber used for building the English fleet. It was stripped for that purpose during the 16th and 17th centuries. The roofs of many famous buildings such as Westminister Hall in London and Trinity College in Dublin, have roof timbers converted from the great Shillelagh oaks.
An Ironworks also was support by the forest which needed timber burning for smelting process.The Shillelagh Cavalry was established to counteract the Insurgents during the 1798 rebellion.
Shillelagh has 2 churches, 2 pubs, 2 hairdressers, 1 grocery shop/newagents and a petrol station. The town is on the Wicklow Way, one of Ireland’s most popular long distance walking routes.
