Avenues to an Afterlife?

© The Publisher & The Author

Full title: Exploring the Baltinglass cursus complex: routes for the dead

Creator / Author: James O’Driscoll

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article (online) / 18p

Journal Information: Antiquity First View, pp. 1-18

When Published: 25^th April 2024

Publisher / Place of Publication: Cambridge University Press on behalf of Antiquity Publications Ltd. / Cambridge, CB2 8AE, United Kingdom

About: James O’Driscoll, who has spent the past number of years investigating the Baltinglass Hillfort Complex, now presents his latest findings in an online article under the aegis of the scholarly journal ‘Antiquity’. The author describes a cluster of cursus monuments that have been discovered using the newest archaeology tools and techniques. This is the first time that a cluster of such monuments has been discoved in Ireland. The author concludes that the monuments “demonstrate a clear connection between the dead, major solar events and seasonal farming cycles”.

ID number(s): 0003-598X (Print), 1745-1744 (Online)

Article Contents: Abstract — Introduction — Neolithic Ireland and the Baltinglass Landscape — The Baltinglass Cursus Monuments — The Baltinglass Cursus Monuments in Context — Routes for the Dead? — Conclusion — Funding Statement — References.

Extra #1: includes maps and photographs.

Extra #2: Read this article online via the Publisher’s Website.

Extra #3: Link to the website of the journal ‘Antiquity’ at: https://antiquity.ac.uk/

Extra #4: The findings of James O’Driscoll in the above article have been picked up by a number of news outlets and social media streams. For example, ‘Newsweek’ (online edition) contains this item by Aristos Georgiou.

“As Odd a Group of Characters As We Have Met For a Long Time”

© The Publishers

Full title: Vicious Circle: the case of the missing Irish Crown Jewels

Creator / Author: Francis Bamford & Viola Bankes

Item Type / Page count: Book / 212pp

When Published: 1965

Publisher / Place of Publication: Max Parrish / 1 – 5 Portpool Lane, London EC1

About: The title of this posting is taken from the summary on the dust-jacket of the book pictured above. Equally apt is the quote from the London Mail (1912) also on the same dust-jacket: “Will anyone ever have the courage to tell the whole truth about this wretched business?”. The Irish Crown Jewels were kept by the Office of Arms in Dublin Castle and they were last seen on 11^th June 1907, subsequently presumed stolen, and remain unaccounted for. This book was the first full account of the affair to be published. However, the definitive answer to the mystery still remains elusive today.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Foreword — 1. The Disappearance — 2. The Investigation — 3. The Interlude — 4. The Inquiry — 5. The Aftermath — Postscript — 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.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #2: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #3: Browse the 1901 Census entry for Mahony Family in Grangecon.

Extra #4: Browse the 1911 Census entry for Mahony Family in Grangecon.

It’s Kildare, So There Must Be Horses

© The Publisher

Full title: Colonising a royal landscape: the history and archaeology of a medieval village at Mullamast, County Kildare

Creator / Author: Teresa Bolger, with contributions by Noel Dunne, Abby Mynett, Damian Shiels, Claudia Tommasino Suárez and Scott Timpany.

Item Type / Page count: Book and CD-ROM / 163pp

When Published: 2017

Publisher / Place of Publication: Transport Infrastructure Ireland / Parkgate Business Centre, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8. DO8 DK10

About: This is publication Number 6 in the Transport Infrastructure Ireland Heritage Series. The TII Archaeology & Heritage Section publishes the results of TII-funded archaeological investigations that come about as a result e.g. of motorway planning and construction. This scolarly publication investigates a lost medieval village on the M9 motorway at Mullamast just over the border in neighbouring Co. Kildare. Of note is that the archaeological evidence points to the area being a centre for the breeding of horses for warfare. The accompanying CD-ROM contains technical reports relating to the excavation of the medieval settlement and other sites in Mullamast townland.

ID number(s): 9780993231568

Contents: Contents of CD-ROM – Foreword — Acknowledgements – Introduction — Landscape, setting and context — From Maistiu to manor — Uncovering the medieval village — A medieval stud farm? Trade and subsistence at Mullamast — Medieval villages and the process of desertion – Conclusions – Appendix 1: Radiocarbon dates – Appendix 2: Artefacts catalogue — Bibliography – Index.

Extra #1: Includes dozens of photographs, illustrations and maps.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Listen to an audiobook related to this title via the Abarta Heritage website

Extra #5: Read an online article ‘The medieval stud farm of royal Mullamast’ via the TII website