The Riddle of the Mounds

© JRSAI

Full title: Excavation of a Mound at Blessington, Co. Wicklow

Creator / Author: Helen M. Roe and Ellen Prendergast

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 12pp + photographs

Journal Information: Journal of The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Volume 76 (1), pp. 1-12

When Published: April 1946

Publisher / Place of Publication: R.S.A.I / Merrion Square, Dublin

About: Thanks to money donated by members of the R.S.A.I., an excavation fund was established in 1945. Some of this fund was utilised to perform an excavation on one of five low earthen mounds in a field outside Blessington. The evidence that was uncovered points to a timeframe from medieval times to late eighteenth-century. However no definitive function has been ascribed to the monument. The article speculates that the mounds may even have been part of an unfinished grand landscaping plan in the grounds of the Marquis of Downshire.

ID number(s): 0035-9106

Extra #1: Includes a plan & photograph of the site as well as illustrations and photograph of finds.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Read this article online via JSTOR. [Personal registration / conditions apply]. Alternatively, your local public library may provide free online access to this article.

Snow-covered Secrets

© The Publisher

Full title: Under the avalanche [a novel]

Creator / Author: Anne McCabe

Item Type / Page count: Book / 256p

When Published: 2011

Publisher / Place of Publication: Shackleton Publishing / [Not given]

About: The Wicklow Mountains is the backdrop to a family saga involving three generations of women. An avalanche entombs a family in an isolated dwelling on the hillside. The ghost of a newly born baby inhabits the narrative of this novel from then on. But what other secrets remain to be uncovered?

ID number(s): 9781908417107

WW Connection #1: The setting of this book is in the Wicklow Mountains, albeit in a location unidentifiable.

Extra #1: Opening line: “My grandmother was born under the avalanche, the only one ever to have happened in this valley, or indeed any valley anywhere in Ireland. It left a place of deep shadows and sadness so that even the birds didn’t sing there anymore, on the side of that lonely hill in Wicklow.”

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Link to the author’s Facebook page.

History’s Biggest Mysteries (as Gaeilge)

© AN GÚM

Full title: Mistéiri Móra

Creator / Author: Séamas Ó Maitiú

Item Type / Page count: Book / 79pp

When Published: 1990 (reprinted in 1993)

Publisher / Place of Publication: AN GÚM / 44 O’Connell Upper, Dublin 1.

About: A children’s book written in the Irish language. It gives brief accounts (2-3 pages) of some of the biggest mysteries and wonders throughout history. The topics include Tutankhamun’s Curse, the Marie Celeste, Jack the Ripper, UFOs as well as subjects from Irish history and mythology. A book that will excite the imagination of young readers, it is aimed at learners of the Irish Language and includes translations of the more difficult words.

ID number(s): 1857910753

Chapters: Mallacht Thútancamóin – Í Bhreasai – Atlantas?  – El Dorado – Long Mhaol – An Chosmhuintir! – Cérbh é Jack the Ripper? – Cás Bhríd Ní Mhurchú – Comhtharlú nó …? — An Marie Celeste — I gcoim na hoíche – Triantán an Diabhail – Fear na gCrúb? – A Shagairt, a Rún! – An Bhean Chaointe – Cathlán chun Siúil – Sloc an Airgid – Seomraí Siúil – Ollphéisteanna Móra Gránna – Cuairteoirí Chugainn?

WW Connection #1: The author is a long-time resident of West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Each chapter includes a colour illustration by Peter Haigh.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Link to a portrait of the author via https://portraidi.ie/ga/seamas-o-maitiu/