Full title: The Wicklow Military Road: history and topography
Creator / Author: Michael Fewer
Item Type / Page count: Book / 216pp
When Published: 2007
Publisher / Place of Publication: Ashfield Press / Dubin, Ireland
About: The Military Road runs the length the Wicklow Mountains linking Rathfarnham to Aghavannagh. It was constructed by the British Authorities during the first decade of the nineteenth-century in response to the 1798 Rebellion and to help them curb the activities of Michael Dwyer and like-minded rebels. This book gives a history of the road together with its associated natural and local history.
ID number(s): 9781901658668
Contents: Acknowledgements — Introduction — The Origins of the Wicklow Military Road — The Petition for a Military Road in Wicklow — The Military Road from Rathfarnham Village to Billy’s Bridge — The Military Road from Billy’s Bridge to Killakee — From Killakee to Glencree — Glencree — Glencree to the Sally Gap – The Sally Gap to Laragh — Laragh to Aghavannagh — Epilogue — Bibliography — Index.
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with maps and photographs.
Full title: The Stealing of the Irish Crown Jewels: an unsolved crime
Creator / Author: Myles Dungan
Item Type / Page count: Book / 301pp
When Published: 2003
Publisher / Place of Publication: Town House Dublin / Trinity House, Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.
About: The so-called Irish Crown Jewels were presented to the Order of St. Patrick by King William IV in 1831 and were worn on ceremonial occasions by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. They were kept by the Office of Arms in Dublin Castle. They were last seen on 11th June 1907 and, presumably having been stolen, remain missing to this day. This book looks at how the jewels could have disappeared from one of the most high-security locations in the country.
ID number(s): 9781860591822
Contents: Acknowledgements — Prologue — Dramatis Personae — [Act One Theft and Investigation] The Safe — Hark the Heralds — The Theft — Raising Kane — ‘Star Chamber’ — Whispers — [Act Two The Scapegoat] The Commission Sits — Vicars Bows Out — [Act Three Denouement] Death and Misadventure – Aftermath — [Epilogue] Who Stole the Irish Crown Jewels? — A Note on Sources — Timeline — Index.
WW Connection #1: The custodian of the Irish Crown Jewels at the time of their disappearance was Sir Arthur Vicars, who had links with Grangecon in West Wicklow. He was a half-brother of Pierce (O’) Mahony of Grangecon Demesne and would have stayed there regularly. Afterwards, Pierce O’Mahony took up a spirited campaign to save Vicars from dismissal, but was unsuccessful. Vicars was Hon. Secretary to the County Kildare Archaeological Society from its inception in 1891 until 1920. For the years 1909-1920, his address is listed as Grange Con, although this may have been for correspondence purposes. He also contributed an article ‘Notes on Grange Con, Co.Wicklow’ to the January 1902 issue of the Society’s Journal.
WW Connection #2: One of the employees in the Office of Arms was Pierce Gun Mahony, son of Pierce Mahony (above) and nephew of Sir Arthur Vicars. He was the only person to keep his job following the controversy.
WW Connection #3: One of the chief suspects in the disappearance of the jewels was Frank Shackleton, brother of explorer Ernest whose family had connections with nearby Kilkea and Ballitore.
West Wicklow Bookshelf 