A Century of Struggle in Delgany and Kilcoole: An Exploration of the Social Implications of Population Change in North-east Wicklow, 1666-1779

The population history of Ireland has been well documented. Less well understood, however, is the course of the population change in the century and a half between the Restoration and the commencement of statutory censuses. In this study the author examines changing populaiton trends in an area of North-east Wicklow, focusing on the villages of Delgany and Kilcoole, between 1666 and 1779. A variety of methods and crosschecks is used to identify the general trends, with particular attention being given to the difficult 1740s. Having established the basic population trends, various related factors, such as the average marriage age of females and the rate of natural population increase, are considered to see to what extent the general trends are verified. The timing of baptisms and marriages is also considered in detail, and it is argued that baptisms and marriages in the region were strongly influenced by the seasonal demand for labour. Where appropriate, comparisons are made with the neighbouring parishes of Bray and Powerscourt.