Welcome to ‘The Hillfort Capital of Ireland’ audio tour.
This five-part tour is designed to be enjoyed in sequential order. The following audio pieces will guide you through the landscape of the Slaney Valley in West Wicklow, introducing you to the hillforts that make up the Baltinglass-Kilranelagh Complex. The hillforts are currently not accessible as they are on private land, as such we have recommended certain viewing locations for you to connect with the landscape.
Please refer to the illustrated map, pictured above, for an overview of the landscape that encompasses ‘The Hillfort Capital of Ireland’. The nine hillforts have been labelled in this illustration, and further monuments, as discussed in the audio pieces, are represented on the map for you to explore. We recommend you get out and about to enjoy the tour. Additionally, we have provided a gallery of photos for you to view to enhance your experience on this audio tour.
Locations 1, 2 & 3 are located within the town of Baltinglass. The locations are within walking distance of each other.
Location 4 is set in Kilranelagh which is approx 10km outside of Baltinglass. We recommend driving to this location.
Location 5 is set in The Glen of Imaal, approximtely 15km outside Baltinglass. We recommend driving to this location. We have a designated viewing location to connect with the landscape at each of the Locations.
This tour is designed to be experienced in a specific sequence, at five designated locations. Each location has a specific vantage point that accompanies the audio description of this tour. It is not necessary to do each of these locations in sequence however we recommend that you do. Each location has an accompanying audio piece and a set viewing location. For your enjoyment of the tour, please make sure you are standing in the correct place, facing in the correct direction and listening to the correct audio piece. There is a google maps link and location description to help you get to the right place, a photograph of what your vantage point should look like as well as an illustrated map so you can orientate yourself within ‘The Hillfort Capital’. The beautiful map pictured above, was created by Santiago Rial @ deercun.com, and funded by Inisfáil Social Circle Ltd. So please avail of all of these resources to ensure you are situated correctly, before listening to the audio piece.
Finally, this project would not be possible without the contributions from the collaborators and creatives involved. I am very grateful for the sponsorship I received from Creative Places Baltinglass and Wicklow County Council, which covered the costs associated with recording the audio narratives. The remainder of the project was funded by my not-for-profit organisation ‘Insifáil Social Ciclre Ltd’, and paid for by the proceeds of my book sales. This is the first project of my company, in an effort to encourage community participation with our national monuments and nature spaces here in West Wicklow. I researched and wrote the narratives myself, and am very grateful to David Halpin for reading and reviewing my scripts. Thank you to Karl Leonard for narrating each audio, the time and attention you gave this project was such a gracious gift to our community, and it is a pleasure to listen to your oration. Thank you to Chris Ward at Flash Studios for working with us, recording and editing each audio to such a high standard.
We hope you will enjoy the history of ‘The Hillfort Capital of Ireland’.
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Click on the Location you require below.
Location 1 – Overview of The Slaney Valley Landscape
Location 2 – Hughestown & Tinoran
Location 3 – Rathcoran, Sruhan & Rathnagree
Location 5 – Brusselstown Ring & Spinans Summit 1 & 2
Ireland's Hillfort Capital 