Full title: The Field of the Apple Trees: Aghold, Co. Wicklow 1716 – 1991
Creator / Author: Richard Codd
Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 48p
When Published: 1991
Publisher / Place of Publication: Not Stated / Co. Wicklow?
About: This booklet was published to celebrate the 275th anniversary of St. Michael’s Church, Adhold. It provides a short account of the Aghold Church of Ireland Parish and is a useful introduction to the history of the area and the faith community.
ID number(s): None
Chapters: Introduction — St. Michael’s Church, Aghold — Church Furnishing — Rectors and Curates — Extracts from Parish Records — The Rectory — The Sunday School — Littlewood School — Church Organists — [Photo Gallery].
WW Connection #1: Apart from the subject matter, this publication was printed by the Baltinglass-based Epsilon Printing.
Extra #1: Includes 24 black and white photographs.
Full title: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 12, 2023-24
Creator / Author: West Wicklow Historical Society & contributors, joint editors Chris Lawlor, Declan Keenan
Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 200p
When Published: 2023
Publisher / Place of Publication: West Wicklow Historical Society / Baltinglass (?), Co. Wicklow.
About: This twelveth publication of this biennial journal was launched in the Coimín Centre, Blessington on 9/11/2023. It includes perhaps the most diverse set of topics yet to appear in this journal. Full contents are listed below. The most extensive article in this issue runs to 24 pages. In it, Peter W. Halligan provides an enlightening account of the castles at Oldcourt and Three Castles.
ID number(s): 0790-1739
Contents: Foreword from the Chairman / Paul Gorry — Donal McDonnell (1945-2022) — Secretary’s Synopsis / Cora Crampton — Noel Lyons (1942-2022) — Editor’s Preface / Chris Lawlor — Mapping the devolved Gaelic territories and districts of the O’Tooles / Declan Keenan — Migrant railway workers and local communities: a case study of Harristown station on the Sallins-Tullow branch line 1883-1951 / John O’Brien — Some observations on the Great famine in County Wicklow, c.1845-1850 / Gerald Cullen — Gentry, Brides and Lions / Maura Murphy Gibson — The man who wore a blue shirt in 1933: the Bass War in West Wicklow and Kildare / Declan O’Connor — A little bit of Bulgaria in Ireland: Pierce O’Mahony (1850-1930): politician and philanthropist / Brian McCabe — Dame Ninette de Valois (Edris Stannus) / Paul Tyrell — A 1792 Rental of the Lordship of Belan, Co. Kildare / Richard B. Lennon —Language Matters Revisited / Ita Roddy — Death from a Flat-Nosed Bullet in Blessington / James Scannell — A farming community: Hollywood in the early twentieth century / John Glennon — Sadhbh O’Byrne – glimpses of a Gaelic woman of sixteenth-century Ireland / Cora Crampton — The Manor of Blessington, created by Michael Boyle / Jim Corley — Revisiting the 1798 Dunlavin massacre for its 225th anniversary / Chris Lawlor — Balfe the Robber / Brendan Corrigan — A sociological interpretation of the Hillfort Capital – exploring Hughstown and Tinoran hillforts (part 1 of 3) / Mairéad Kelly — Charles Maule Drury (1848-1939) – collector of folklore / Paul Gorry — The castles of Oldcourt and Three Castles / Peter W. Halligan — ‘I say it as I think it’ : The life and controversial times of Rev. T. C. O’Connor, Rector of Donoughmore and Donard / Rosemary Raughter — Query / Peter W. Halligan.
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with black & white photographs and maps.
Full title: Scandal & Betrayal: Shackleton and the Irish Crown Jewels
Creator / Author: John Cafferky and Kevin Hannafin
Item Type / Page count: Book / 319pp
When Published: 2002
Publisher / Place of Publication: The Collins Press / West Link Park, Doughcloyne, Wilton, Cork.
About: The theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle in 1907 continues to fascinate, not least because of the official suppression and/or disappearance of vital evidence. In this well-researched book, the authors detail the highly-charged politics of the time and explain how the jewels could have disappeared from one of the most high-security locations in the country. They also present a convincing theory of the reason for the jewels removal and why they may still be in existence. During the course of their research, the authors were even confronted with an elaborate hoax which they succeeded in disproving.
ID number(s): 1903464250
Contents: List of Illustrations — Who’s Who — Preface — The Rise and Fall of Arthur Vicars — Ireland: A Land of Discontent — Sir Antony Patrick MacDonnell and Devolution — The Aberdeens Return to Ireland — Homosexuality Within the Royal Household — The King’s Arrival — The Kane Report — Infernal Telegrams — `I’ll have no Scandal’ — The Government Procrastinates — Enter The O’Mahony – Champion of Causes — MacDonnell Takes Charge — The Inquiry — Tidying Up — Conclusion — Epilogue: Our Initital Investigation.
Appendix I Last Will and Testament of Sir Arthur Vicars — Appendix II Author’s Comment on Sir Arthur’s Will — Appendix III Inspector Lowe’s Report — Appendix IV Statement of Sir Arthur Vicars — Appendix V Supplementary Statement of Sir Arthur Vicars — Appendix VI Statutes of the Order of St. Patrick, Concerning the Custodianship of the Insignia — Appendix VII Letter from The O’Mahony to Augustine Birrell, the Chief Secretary for Ireland – June 1908 — Appendix VIII Letter from `The O’Mahony’ to Augustine Birrell, the Chief Secretary for Ireland – July 1913 — Appendix IX The Wyndham/MacDonnell Correspondence — Appendix X Estimates from Schedule submitted by Sir Arthur Regarding the Safe — Notes — Bibliography.
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 (The 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.
Full title: Ireland’s Forgotten Past: a history of the overlooked & disremembered
Creator / Author: Turtle Bunbury
Item Type / Page count: Book / 223p
When Published: 2020
Publisher / Place of Publication: Thames & Hudson Ltd. / 181A High Holborn, London WC1V 7Q
About: In thirty-six short chapters, the author recounts brief episodes from the span of Irish history. Some of these may be familiar, but most will not be widely-known. All, however, are interesting and are presented in an accessible and engaging way by this bestselling writer. A glance at the contents listing below will give some idea of the range of the subjects covered.
ID number(s): 9780500022535 / 9780500296363
Chapters: Introduction — Of Tetrapods and Volcanic Rings — It Starts with a Bear — Neolithic Stargazers — The Bell-Beakers — The Bog Toghers — Roman Hibernia — Pagan Christians & Holy Wells — High Crosses of the Kingdom of Ossory — The Ui Dunlainge Kings of Leinster — Sitric Silkbeard & Queen Gormflaith — The Knights Templar of Ireland — Rohesia’s Castle — Great Scot: Edward the Bruce’s Invasion of Ireland — Prince Lionel Comes to Carlow — Great Pretenders & Warring Roses — The Midland Shires — Sir William Stanley, Public Enemy No. 1 — Rise & Fall: The Maguires of Fermanagh — Cromwell’s Tailor — The Byerley Turk: A Warhorse on the Boyne — The Lixnaw Project — Joshua Dawson, Spymaster — Lord Rosse & the Hell-Fire Club — The Butcher’s Column — Peg Plunkett, Queen of Vice — The Cherokee Club — Gold Fever in Avoca — Medicinal Springs — The Night of the Big Wind — The Crimean Banquet — The Prince of Wales & the Curragh Wren — John Henry Foley, Sculptor of an Empire — Bloody Balfour’s Kindly Deeds — Queen Victoria’s Dublin Visit, 1900 — Killer Gas in the Great War — Operation Shamrock — Epilogue: The Power of Remembrance — Bibliography — Acknowledgements — Index.
WW Connection #1: The author attended primary school in Baltinglass.
Extra #1: Profusely illustrated in black and white by Joe McLaren.
Creator / Author: Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin (1923-2013)
Item Type / Page count: Book Chapters / 5p & 5p
When Published: 2007 / 2008
Publisher / Place of Publication: Gill & Macmillan / Hume Avenue, Park West, Dublin 12.
Parent Publication [book]: Giants of Gaelic Football / by Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin / 233pp
About: This book, written by former RTE broadcaster Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin, recounts the careers of the greatest Gaelic footballers. In the pantheon the author includes two West Wicklow players – Kevin O’Brien of Baltinglass and Gerry O’Reilly of Donard. The story of each is told in two separate five-page chapters.
Full title: Shoeboxes: from Irish Roots to Canadian Branches
Creator / Author: Kevin Lee and Tom Jenkins
Item Type / Page count: Book / 228pp
When Published: 2022
Publisher / Place of Publication: Coollattin Canadian Connection / Co. Wicklow
About: This is a high-quality publication which traces connections between Canada and South Wicklow, particularly centred on the Coollattin Estate and the assisted emigration programme from the surrounding areas in the first half of the nineteenth-century. The authors provide a well-researched history of Coollattin Estate and outline the circumstances of the ‘perfect storm’ that triggered the leavetaking of some ten thousand people for Canada. A substantial portion of the book provides case studies of over fifty families whose stories are told in words and pictures. A comprehensive contents listing is transcribed below,
ID number(s): 9781399928021
Contents: About the authors — Dedication — Acknowledgements — Photographic Credits Foreword
[SECTION A: Coollattin Defined] [Chapter 1 – Origin of Coollattin Estate] The Garden of Ireland — Anglo-Norman Legacy — Property Portfolio of Thomas Wentworth
[Chapter 2 – Colonisation, Rebellion and Restoration] 1641 Rebellion — Cromwell — Restoration of Title to 2nd Earl of Strafford — Visit of Thomas Watson-Wentworth 1713
[Chapter 3 – Establishing a Protestant Colony in South Wicklow] Setting of Leases — Hume’s Observations
[SECTION B: The Gathering of a Perfect Storm] [Chapter 4 – Early Famines] Year of Slaughter (Bliain an Air), 1740-1741 — Post-Rebellion Food Shortages — Famine and Typhus, 1817 — Abandonment of Newborn Infants in Carnew — Famine of 1826 — An Gorta Mór, The Great Famine
[Chapter 5 – Role of the Agent in Coollattin] Early Agents: Abraham Nickson, Reverend John Griffith, Hugh Wentworth — William Wainwright — William Haigh — The Chaloners, Robert Sr. and Robert Jr. — Late Nineteenth Century Agents: Frederick Ponsonby, Duncan McNeill, and Frank Brooke — Underagent Ralph Lawrenson
[Chapter 6 – Education] Carnew School — Shillelagh School — Coolroe School — Coolkenno School — Other Schools on the Estate Funded by Earl Fitzwilliam
[Chapter 7 – The Workhouses] Life in the Workhouse — Rathdrum Workhouse — Shillelagh Workhouse
[Chapter 8 – Assisting Emigration] Recruiting the Emigrants — Role of the Clergy in Recruiting Emigrants — Cholera Outbreak of 1832 and the First Assisted Emigrants — Tradesmen and the Famine — Logistics of the Programme — Graves Shipping, New Ross — Last Sight of the Homeland — Passenger Acts — Life at Sea — Death at Sea — Grosse Isle — Journey Inland — Building a New Home — Worlds Apart
[Chapter 9 – Coollattin Enclaves in Ontario] From Carnew to Simcoe County — From Moyne to Grey County — From Boley to Lanark County — From Killinure to Lennox and Addington County — Old Hastings Colonisation Road
[Chapter 10 – Thriving in Canada] A History of Irish Canadian Immigration— Urban Vs. Rural — Irish Need Not Apply — A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
[Chapter 11 – Gaining Influence in Canada] The Social Intersection of Language and Religion — Cutting the Ties to the Old Country to Survive — Irish Benevolent Society — Ogle Robert Gowan: the Carnew Orangeman who influenced Sir John A. Macdonald
[SECTION C: The Shoeboxes] THE FAMILY OF JOHN DOYLE: from the Crab Lane to Camden East — THE CASSIDY FAMILY: from Killinure to Camden Township — THE STORY OF SIMON BYRNE: from Munny Lower to St. John, New Brunswick — THE FAMILY OF LEONARD MYERS: from Tally Ho to Manvers Township, Victoria County — THE BYRNE FAMILY: from Ballykelly to Western Canada — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS KENNY: from Moatabower to Smiths Falls to Omaha, Nebraska — THE FAMILY OF EDWARD BELL: from Carnew to Cincinnati — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS BALFE AND SARAH KENNY: from Kilcavan to South Elmsley — THE FAMILY OF ISAAC FOSTER: from Motabower to Red Deer, Alberta — THE FAMILY OF JOHN FOSTER: from Ballynulta to Camden — JOSEPH DUNN’S PRAYER BOOK: a treasured family heirloom — THE HOPKINS FAMILY: from Corndog to Grey County and beyond — THE JOURNEY OF SAM DUNN: in the footsteps of his forefathers — THE FAMILY OF CHARLES WILLOUGHBY: from Ballinatone, Coollattin to Rockwood, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM WALL AND ANNE LOUGHLIN: from Laragh to Hamilton, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF JOHN AND MARTHA LAWRENCE: from Slieveroe to Glenelg, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS BAWLF: from Hillbrook to Smiths Falls to Winnipeg — THE GROVES FAMILY: from Aghold Upper to Fergus, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF JOHN POPHAM: from Munny Upper to New Orleand and back — THE ORMOND FAMILY: from Carnew to the Corktown Area of Hamilton, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF ROBERT PRESLEY: return to Motabower after 171 years — THE FAMILY OF PATRICK KEHOE: from “Hot Pot Lane” to Augusta, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF PATRICK McGUIRE: from Shillelagh to Camden East — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS HUTTON: from Sleaghcoyle to Grey County, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH COSGROVE: from “Hot Pot Lane” to Gloucester Township to Iowa — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS BRAZIL: from “Hot Pot Lane” to Carleton County to Kansas — THE DOWSE FAMILY: from Kilninor to Winnipeg and back again — THE FAMILY OF DANIEL KELLY: from Killballyowen to Umfraville — THE OWENS/BYRNE FAMILY: from Tomnafinnogue to Wisconsin — THE HOPKINS FAMILY: from Moylisha to Brownsville to Moose Jaw — THE FAMILY OF JOHN McGRATH: from Killinure to Camden — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS HAYDEN: from Glenphilpeen to Port Hope — NAOMI NIGHTINGALE: the Coollattin cook who emigrated to Montreal — THE CODD FAMILY (aka CODE or COAD): a North American dynasty with Wicklow roots — THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL HENDRICK: from Kennystown to Meech Creek — THE FAMILIES OF WILLIAM BREEN AND MARGARET HEADON: from Ballynulta to Oswago, New York — THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM KELLY: from Ballyconnell to Quebec — THE FAMILY OF DENNIS TOMKINS: from Newtown to Kemptville — THE JAMES FAMILY: from Mungacullin to Lanark County — THE STORY OF WILLIAM YOUNG: an exception to all the rules — THE STORY OF JOHN KENNY AND MARY DEEGAN (nee Shannon): from the Crab Lane to all parts North of Kentucky — THE FAMILY OF BENJAMIN STYLES: from Balisland to Manvers County — THE FAMILY OF JOHN AND CELIA BYRNE: from New Row to Admaston in Renfrew County — THE FAMILY OF NED FINN AND ANNE FINNEGAN: from Knockballystine to Wilkinson — THE FAMILY OF JOHN KAVANAGH (later Cavanaugh): from Killinure to Camden East — THE FAMILY OF JOHN KAVANAGH: from Parkmore to Barrie in Simcoe County — THE FAMILIES OF FRANCIS DUNN, THOMAS GRIFFIN AND ALICE KEEFE: united by their bonds of kinship and their roots in the Wicklow Hills — THE MURPHY FAMILY: from Tomnafinnogue to Dundalk — JERVIS WHITE: from Ballyellis, Carnew to the 30,000 islands of Parry Sound — THE TOOLE (O’TOOLE) FAMILY: from Ballyshonog to Tecumseth County — ELVIS PRESLEY HAD WICKLOW ROOTS: from “The Dying Cow” to Graceland.
[SECTION D: Post-Famine Coollattin] [Chapter 12 – The Built Heritage] Contribution of the 6th Earl Fitzwilliam — The Woodenbridge Branch Railway — Building Boom
[Chapter 13 – Transfer of the Land to the Occupiers] Land League and Tenant Rights Movement — The 7th Earl Fitzwilliam — The Wyndham Act — Kilcavan Slate Quarries — Hydro-electricity
[Chapter 14 – Decline and Fall of Coollattin] Tragic Death of Lord Peter, the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam — Lady Juliet Fitzwilliam
[SECTION E: Reaching Out, Touching Hands] Reunion with my roots / John Hopkins, British Columbia — Our return to Lawrence’s Lane / David Lawrence, Toronto — Journey back to New Row / Jan Fortier, Alberta — “Byrne’s Garden” revisited / Deborak Walsh, South Carolina— New beginnings for both of us. Standing in Handrick’s Field / Larry Carroll, Guelph, Ontario— The Lees of Donaghmore / Pat Lee, Fort Qu’appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada — Return to the land of my ancestors / David Code, California
[SECTION F: Post-Integration] [Chapter 15 – The Irish Define Canada] The Canadian Irish in World War I — The Irish Gain Cultural Power
[Chapter 16 – The Irish Impact on Canadian Culture] Irish Towns Throughout Canada — Irish Family Names Across Canada — From Hurling to Hockey — Canadian Folk Music is Irish — Irish from Sea to Sea to Sea
[Chapter 17 – Rediscovering Irish Roots] The Global Village — A Generation Has Questions — Coollattin Canadian Connection
[APPENDICES] Appendix 1: Coollattin Family Names — Appendix 2: Emigrant Sailings on Graves Ships, 1847-1858 — Appendix 3: Emigrants on Board the Star — Appendix 4: The Coollattin Papers — Appendix 5: Famous Irish Canadians — Appendix 6: Towns With Irish Names in Canada — Appendix 7: Comparable Assisted Emigration Programmes — Appendix 8: Lest We Forget
Bibliography — Index.
Extra #1: Includes over four hundred photographs, maps and other illustrations.
Publisher / Place of Publication: Kildare Library Services / [Co. Kildare]
About: On 24 October 1922 an IRA column ambushed a National Army tender at Graney crossroads on the Castledermot to Baltinglass road. This booklet tells the story of the lethal ambush and was published as part of the Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Programme for 2022. An interpretative panel based on the Graney Ambush was unveiled in Castledermot on 22nd October, 2022 accompanying the launch of this booklet.
ID number(s): None
Contents: Foreword / Liz Whelan – The Ambush – The Ambushed – The Survivors – The Ambushers
Full title: Recollections from Baltinglass Hospital
Creator / Author: None stated
Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 44p
When Published: 2000
Publisher / Place of Publication: Baltinglass Adult Learning Centre & Community Education / Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow]
About: This A4-size booklet was launched at a Christmas party for residents and day care regulars at Baltinglass Hospital in Decemer 2000. The local Adult Learning Centre had run a course which allowed residents and regulars to refresh their literacy and numeracy skills and this booklet reflects their stories and contributions. People from a wide area of West Wicklow are represented and each has their own unique short contribution, whether it be a memory, a story, a recipe, a joke or a poem. The booklet was not generally available outside the hospital, but copies may turn up at charity shops / jumble sales from time to time.
ID number(s): None
Contents: [Introduction 1] / Annette Mangan — [Introduction 2] / Dorothy Fox — [Introduction 3] / Evelyn Barry — Prayer for the Elderly
[Contributions] Mick Byrne Knockananna – Mattie Donegan Kiltegan – Lucy Goggins Cryhelp, Dunlavin – Seamus Dowling Blessington/Dunlavin – Kathleen Fleming Clough/Raheen, Baltinglass – Kathleen Kelly Castlesallagh, Donard – Peter O’Brien Dunlavin – Peter Burke Tuckmill/Carrigeen, Baltinglass – Lil Coogan Irongrange, Baltinglass – Johnny Donohue Tinoran, Baltinglas – Mrs. Kathleen Dillon – John Keogh Graigue, Kiltegan – Josie Salmon Tinahely/Baltinglass – Jimmy Devoy Blessington – John Whitty Moone – Dan Richardson Lacken – Jamess Graham Rathdangan – Jim Redmond — Chris Loughlin Stratford — Bridie Farrell Clough, Baltinglass – Andy Flood Grangecon – Phil Harney Granamore, Hollywood – Paddy Ryan Clonmel and Castledermot – Neil Clinton Blessington – Harriet McDonnell Tuckmill, Baltinglass – Maisie Andrews Weavers Square, Baltinglass – Kathleen Jones Baltinglass – Anne Nolan Stratford formerly Graigue, Kiltegan – Joan Kelly Blessington, Johnny Donohue Baltinglass, Josie Murphy Blessington – Beatitudes for friends of the aged [poem] / Esther Mary Walker (kindly given by Alice O’Connell Liscolman – Thought for you today [poem] / Anon — Money [poem] / T. Johnny — Joe Charles Barraderry, Kiltegan – Daisy O’Connor Kiltegan – Margaret McCann – Brigid Connaty – Mrs. Thornton.
Killing the pig – Bridie Hanaffin – Betty Norton Griffinstown, Grangecon – Going to school – Christmas – Keeping the faith / Breda Daly, Mary Behan Blessington – Ruth Finlay Davidstown, Donard – Winnie Moore Woodfield Cross, Baltinglass – Richard Kelly Knockananna – Pierce Collins Manor Kilbride – Molly O’Reilly Hollywood – Kathleen Cullen Whitestown, Stratford – Tommy Tipper – Molly Byrne Knockananna – Blood, Sweat and no Tears – Jim Carroll Blessington – John Kearney Dunlavin.
[In Remembrance] The late Mary Murray R.I.P. – The late Jimmy Cullen R.I.P. – The late Joe Garrett R.I.P. – The late Chrissie Healy R.I.P.
Extra #1: Includes black and white photographs of some of the contributors.
Extra #2: In the following year, another similar booklet was produced under the title ‘Further Recollections from Baltinglass Hospital’.
Full title: The Lady in the Twilight: a Play in Three Acts
Creator / Author: Mervyn Wall
Item Type / Page count: Book / 47p
When Published: 1971
Publisher / Place of Publication: Proscenium Press / P. O. Box 361, Newark, Delaware 19711 USA
About: This play, set in a West Wicklow glen in the 1930’s had its premiere in the Abbey Theatre, Dublin on 19th May, 1941 and ran for six performances. It contains a theme of land agitation and there is a murder, but contemporary critics found it difficult to discern what the playwright was trying to achieve. The playscript was never published until, some thirty years later, this edition appeared as No. 10 in The “Lost Play” Series.
ID number(s): 0912262249
Contents: Scenes: ACT ONE: The interior of Malachy Ross’ cottage at the entrance to a glen in West Wicklow. Evening of a December day – ACT TWO: The drawing-room in Glengesh House. Two and a half hours later – ACT THREE: Same as Act One. Three quarters of an hour later.
Extra #1: Opening line: “Is there anyone within? Is there no one in this house at all?”
Full title: Left at the Lamb: a flavour of the history and heritage of the Blessington area
Creator / Author: Aidan Cruise, David Harrington and Seamus Balfe. Editor: Professor Tom Barragry
Item Type / Page count: Book / 280p
When Published: 2022 – 2023
Publisher / Place of Publication: [Lakeside Heritage Group / Blessington, Co. Wicklow]
About: The subtitle of this publication calls it “a flavour of the history and heritage of the Blessington area”. In truth, it is more of a feast than just a flavour. In just under 300 pages, readers are given an overview of the history and archaeology of Blessington and its wider hinterland and can embark on an imaginary road trip where the heritage of all places between Saggart and Hollywood is described in more detail. The extensive use of photographs and illustrations make every location come alive and help to highlight the human element of local history.
ID number(s): None
Contents: Introduction — A Brief Historical Profile of the Blessington and Lakeside Area
[Archaeology and History] The Ice and Stone Age – Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic – Cairns – The Bronze Age – Piper Stones – Standing Stones – The Iron Age – Hillforts – Early Medieval – Raths and Ringforts – The Age of Christianity – Ogham Stones – The Vikings – The Normans and the Birth of Blessington – The Lordship of Ireland – Early Modern Wicklow – Wicklow, the Last County – Nine Years War — Rebellion, Defeat, Confiscation, Plantation — Archbishop Boyle, The Downshires and Blessington Estate – The Manor House and the Estate of Blessington – Wicklow and the 1798 Rebellion – Edward Heppenstall “The Walking Gallows” – The Wicklow Military Road – Captain Michael Dwyer – The 1800’s.
Blessington by Trap or Tram – The Scrap Iron Express – The Blessington to Poulaphouca Tram Co – Incidents and Accidents – The Blessington Tram [ballad] / Peter C. Grattan (Roving Bard) –The Blessington Lakes – The Crockery Way [ballad] / Martin Shaughnessy – Wildlife in the Area – The Blessington Game and Wildfowl Conservation Association
[A Trip to the Lake] Tallaght to Brittas – Sagart-Teach Sacra – Crooksling-Cnoc Slinne — Brittas-An Briotás — Kilteel-Cill Chéile – The Lamb – Rathmore-An Ráth Mhór – Hempstown – Golden Hill – Kilbride Lodge, Glen Heste Hotel and the Airfield – Lime Kilns – Quarries at Golden Hill, Three Castles, Oldcourt and the Dowrey – Manor Kilbride – St. Brigid’s – Hedge Schools in the Area – The Hollywood Grave-slabs – Mooney’s Pub – Cloghleagh – The Church of St. John the Baptist – Kilbride Army Camp – Seefin – Kippure – Boglands – Ballylow — The Coronation Planatation — Ballysmuttan – Ballysmuttan Bridge [poem] – Oldcourt – Ballyward – Three Castles – Interview with the late Paddy Phibbs – Crosscoolharbour & Crosschapel – The Church of Our Mother of Mercy – The Sandpits – The Fair Day – Gobbit’s Picture House (The Cottage Cinema) / Neville Gyves – Blessington Bridge – Knockieran (Cnoc Iarainn-the hill of iron) & Dwyer’s Brook – Carrig and Rathnabo (Rath na Bo-enclosure of the cows) — Lacken — Lacken Schoolhouse – St. Boden’s Well – St. Boden’s Well [poem] / Martin Keogh – The Cillín – Templeboden (Teampall Buadáin) – Kylebeg/Kilbeg (Coill Beg-small wood) – Mullaghcleevaun Mountain (Clefed Hill) – Blackhill (Cnoc Dubh) – Ballyknockan Granite – Ballyknockan (Bhuaile an Chnocáin) – Ballyknockan, my home on the hill [poem] / Peter Keogh – Valleymount (An Chrois) – Humphreystown – Baltyboys-Bhuaile Buí – Dame Ninette de Valois – Quakers – Tulfarris (“Tulach Ferghuis”-Fergus’ Hill) – Baltyboys schoolhouse – Hollywood – Poulaphouca — Song of Poulaphouca [ballad] –Dance halls — Russborough House – Interview with the late Frances O’Donoghue – Russellstown House – Killmalum-Cill Moloma – The Dispensary – Burgage – The Burgage Road [poem] – Burgage Castle.
Blessington – Garda station – New school – Boys’ schoolhouse – Downshire Hotel – Downshire Agent’s House — St. Mary’s Churchyard and St. Mary’s Church of Ireland – Church of Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament – Downshire Monument – The Four Stone Tree – Court House / Market House built 1820s – St. Joseph’s Hall and the Band Hall – Some of the locals [Photo Gallery].
Sport – GAA – Soccer – Acknowledgements.
Extra #1: Includes well over five hundred black and white photographs or other illustrations.
West Wicklow Bookshelf 