Stratford-on-Slaney
Stratford-on-Slaney (Irish: Áth na Sráide, meaning "Ford of the Street"), also known as Stratford or Stratford-upon-Slaney, is a small village on the River Slaney in west County Wicklow in Ireland.
Stratford was founded by the Irish Stratfords in 1775 (and specifically by Edward Stratford, 2nd Earl of Aldborough), as a model cotton producing town. As well as the cotton mill the town included a hospital, Catholic, Protestant and Presbyterian churches and 14 Taverns. Despite huge investment, the industrial venture failed and Stratford practically disappeared following the demise of the cotton industry. In 1837, before the Great Famine, the village had a population of 3,000
The population has remained constant at approximately 200 over the past number of decades. Its streets are wide in a cross shaped layout. The village has panoramic views of the Wicklow Mountains form its hillside elevation 600 ft above sea level. The village has been Wicklow’s most tidy village on numerous occasions over the years and represented Ireland in a European wide floral competition.
According to Samuel Lewis' 1837 Topographical Directory of Ireland Stratford was
A battle was fought here during the 1798 Rebellion. It is built on the summit of a considerable hill rising from the bank of the river, and is regularly laid out in streets and squares, and commands most extensive views, including the windings of the river. Adjoining the town, on the bank of the river, are extensive cotton and calico printing works, established in 1792, by Messrs. Orr and Co., the present proprietors; they employ from 800 to 1000 persons: the machinery is worked by water power, and the average number of pieces printed and finished weekly is about 2000. The market is on Tuesday and Saturday, and by the patent the town is entitled to two annual fairs, which have never yet been held.
Coordinates: 52°59′N 6°41′W / 52.983°N 6.683°W
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