Copy of 160-year-old public lighting charter goes on display
A UNIQUE piece of local history, in the form of a 160-year-old document for the provision of public gas lighting for Wicklow town, has been acquired by Wicklow County Council Library Service.
The document, dating back to 1856, is the original ‘Articles of Agreement’ for the provision of the public lighting following a meeting of the Town’s Commissioners.
The agreement that Wicklow town should be lighted with gas caused an advertisement to be inserted in the General Advertiser newspaper.
The original document is being held at Wicklow County Council Archives but a copy has been produced and will remain on display in County Buildings so the public can experience this unique piece of local heritage.
Unveiling the document, Cllr Pat Fitzgerald, cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, said: ‘It is wonderful that Wicklow County Council has secured this original document which, in addition to being part of our heritage, is a work of art.’
This unique document has the signatures and seals of John Perrin, John Chapman, Abraham Rogers, John Barker, John Nichols, Martin Hagarty, Thomas Smyth, William Nolan, Thomas Gregory, Andrew Nolan, Abel Woodroofe, Thomas Doolittle, Joseph Pim, James Nolan, John Hayden, Henry Hopkins, James Dillon, John Oakes, Matheus Travers, William McPhail and Joseph Harlon, who were the Commissioners of the burrough of Wicklow who passed the act, entitled ‘An act to make provision for the lighting, cleansing and watching of cities, town corporate and market towns in Ireland.’
Many of the surnames of the then Town Commissioners are still in Wicklow today.