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Because of its location, Arklow became a terminus for tourists during the Georgian period as they perused the valley of the Avonmore and the glens of Wicklow. The towns first commercial and tourist hotel was founded on this site in 1782, or earlier by a Rathdrum man, Mr William Rudd. He called it "The Carysfort Arms Hotel" in honour of John Proby, first Lord of Carysfort who owned all of Arklow and was landlord to a surrounding 18,500 acres. Rudd's hotel was no more than a substantial thatched house to begin with, but it was described as
"The Essence Of Creature Comfort"
As most visitors arrived in town by horse conveyance or walked, a large livery area was laid out at the rear of the hotel to cater for the equine customer. The coach yard still remains a prominent feature in the façade of Kitty's. Arklow's first hotel lasted for 10 years. Rudd moved to Enniscorthy in County Wexford and opened a hotel there. Perhaps he should have stayed put , for his new premises was totally destroyed when Enniscorthy was burned in the Rebellion of 1798. During the rebellion proper the premises were run by William Sterne, the Arklow post agent. He was a brave man and one of the few civilians to remain in the town during the crucial Battle of Arklow, fought on June 9 1798. In an artillery exchange between the rebels and the crown forces, part of the chimney top of the house was carried away by a stray cannon shot.
By 1830 many visitors were making their way to Arklow to savour the latest novelty "Seabathing" . A James Kinsella operated the inn by this time. He improved the building and made considerable refurbishments to the interior. In his lifetime, the access forming the in lane of the car park adjoining the premises was called "Kinsella's Lane". In 1832 the hostelry had its most famous guest when Daniel O'Connell, then at the height of his fame visited Arklow. He held a meeting from a platform erected from a centre window of the hotel. A commemorative plaque (now unfortunately lost) was inserted into the wall. Kinsella's Family and Commercial Hotel and Posting Establishment achieved something approaching national renown by the mid century. A contemporary description gushes
"Mr Kinsellas hotel has been tastefully fitted up. The windows and bed chambers command rich prospects. There is also an excellent commercial room and commodious stabling. The posting department of this establishment is conducted in a very superior manner"
Here in Kitty's today the nostalgia of the 19th century has been lovingly recreated.
By 1861 the hotel was again renamed "The Carysfort Arms" in honour of the 4th Earl of Carysfort. The noble lord took a direct interest in the place in 1877 when he eyed up the coach yard and building as the possible site for his proposed "Arklow Market House Company". It was a scheme which would have spelt the end for Kitty's licensed trade.
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