Major celebrations are planned next year for the 400th birthday of Ireland's youngest county, Wicklow. A hotbed of Irish rebellion against English rule, the "garden of Ireland" formed part of Co Dublin until 1606.
Wicklow Tourism has organised several special events to mark the occasion after a three-month consultation period with the public.
The Government is also considering holding a Cabinet meeting in the county during 2006 to mark the anniversary.
Local Fine Gael TD Billy Timmins said: "It took the English four centuries to bring the territory of the O'Toole's and O'Byrne's under their administrative control."
Events planned include a launch of the 400 celebrations in Wicklow's historic jail in February, the Great Sugar Loaf Run, which dates back to 1870, will be recreated to raise funds for charity and a banquet will be held in Avondale House, once home to Charles Stewart Parnell.
Wicklow comes from the Viking word Vikinglow, meaning "meadow of the vikings".