History of Arklow - From as early as 6400BC, there has been evidence of habitation in Arklow, when the Menapii tribe existed at the end of the Ice Age. The first evidence of a settlement on the site of present day Arklow was found in the 2nd century. In the 9th century the Vikings settled on the Northside of Arklow and it is they who are responsible for giving the town its name. They called it "Arn-kell", which comes from the Viking Chieftain Arn Kell always associated with the area and 'lo', which means 'a low lying meadow near water'. The Irish version, which is "An Tinbhear Mór", is translated as 'the large inlet'. In 1169AD, the Normans arrived and built a castle, the remains of which can still be seen in the town today. In 1172 Theobold Fitzwalter was granted the town and its castle. He later founded a monastery for the monks of the Cistercian order, whom he brought over from the Abbey of Furness in Lancashire. In 1315, the O'Byrnes and the O'Tooles burned the towns of Arklow, Bray and Newcastle and were later defeated by Edward Le Boitleir. In the 1330's the castle was captured by the O'Tooles and was later re-taken by Lord de Birmingham. In 1641 the castle was taken again by Irish insurgents and the garrison were put to the sword. In 1649, Oliver Cromwell seized the castle and demolished it before marching southwards. The suppression of civil and religious liberties; the dispossession of land belonging to the Irish; and the requirement to pay taxes or "tithes" to the Protestant Church of Ireland, caused great resentment amongst the native Irish. During this time, rural unrest was widespread and the formation of new organisations in Ireland was extensive. Arklow was very much involved in the United Irishmen's Rebellion in 1798 and several major battles took place around the town. In the battle of June 9th 1798, Fr. Michael Murphy, a key rebel leader, was killed and a statue in his memory stands in the town today. In this decisive battle between the King's troops under General Needham, and the Irish insurgents, the latter were defeated. This encounter effectively finished the rebellion in the area. A model of the battle of Arklow showing the defensive positions and the attack routes taken by the insurgents can be viewed at V.T.O.S. Centre Wexford Road, Arklow. The bicentennial anniversary of this rebellion brought colourful and historical celebrations to the town in 1998. Arklow is also famous for its boat building. Over the centuries it has gained a reputation for the skill of its craftsmen without equal in these islands. Arklow was also chosen as the location of the the first RNLI station in 1826, which is still in existences and operation today.