Publisher / Place of Publication: Kate Rose Publishing / 30 Woodlands, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
About: In this substantial and well-illustrated A4-sized publication, Dublin-born author, Maura Murphy Gibson, sets out to trace her family history. The story pivots on the elopement and 1895 marriage of her Protestant grandmother and her Catholic grandfather. The author looks in detail at the roots of both grandparents and at subsequent historical events. Her journey takes her to a wide area of West Wicklow and into Wexford including places such as Glen of Imaal, Rathdangan, Carnew and Aughrim. Irish historical events also feature such as when an uncle was killed in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, 21st November, 1920. A further personal touch is added as the author contributes several original poems relevant to the text.
ID number(s): 978527233690
Contents: Acknowledgement — Foreword — Introduction — Mick and Kate – Elopement (poem) — Married Life — Uncle Joseph — Bloody Sunday (poem) — Cappagh Hill (poem) / Lilly Traynor — The Ballymount Murphys – Kate (poem) — Starting School — High Nelly (poem) — Coalman Wade (poem) — The Bibby and Johnny’s Night-out — Clondalkin (poem) — The Links (poem) — Aunt Ciss — Cousin (poem) — The Sewing Machine (poem) — Haves and Have-nots – The Iveagh Market (poem) — The Pigs and Chickens — Cottage Dwellers (poem) — 1954/55 — Travelling People (poem) — The Carpenter Murphys — When Cousins Connect — Eviction (poem) — Yeomen Farmers, Irish Rebellion 1798 — Croppy Biddy — Finlay/Eager/Hinch Connections — From France to Aughrim — Henry and Kate’s Sons — Byrne/Traynor Connection — Drimnagh Castle, Dublin — Bluebell Babies (poem) — Sources —Endnotes.
Extra #1: Includes over two hundred photographs, plus family charts and other illustrations.
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: 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.
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.
Publisher / Place of Publication: The Author / Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow
About: This book is a compendium of 100 articles originally posted on social media, by local historian Chris Lawlor, as a series of diversions from all the Covid-19 related news. The articles cover a huge range of topics with a particular emphasis on Dunlavin.
ID number(s): 9780953294765
Contents: Introduction — Jonathan Swift — St. Palladius — A fairy story — Local folklore — Religion and identity — The vanished vellum — Dwyer radio interview – A cunning hussey — 1890s entertainment — Local quiz — Tournant graveyard — Dunlavin churchyard — Great panic,1832 — Edward Fenlon,1881 — Dunlavin Green ballads — Hearth money roll — John Lawler (Br. Albeus) — A military tradition — Feagh McHugh O’Byrne — The educator — Dunlavin and Naas CBS — Dunlavin victims, 1798 — Glen Mama — Garrett Byrne — Robert Barton — RIC commemoration — Shearman papers — Citizen Dwyer — Resurection of Dr. Emes — Countess Markievicz — Dunlavin in the 1920s — The Imaal bazaar, 1926 — Handball in Dunlavin — Milltown murder, 1921 — Running with crows — Ladies’ handball: poems — T. D. Sullivan Dwyer ballad — On Captain Dwyer — The outlaw’s bridal — On an escape of Dwyer — Wicklow men of ‘98 — The three flowers — Heaney and Kearney ballad – Fowler’s gate — Slain by the Slaney — University of Dunlavin — The Harristown sisters — The place-name Dunlavin — Exploits of Feagh McHugh O’Byrne — Dunlavin volunteers — Famine supplication, 1846 — Fenton family — A raw night in Swanlinbar — The blessed well — Catholic Dunlavin 1600-1800 — Population field study — HIST census project — Dunlavin village 1660-1710 — The judge — Proclamation day, 2016 — Tynte estate 1916 — Commemorating 1798 — Local history list — The 1641 rebellion — Death of Jane Fflood — Catholic surnames 1815-20 — J. Tynte inherits Dunlavin — John Devoy — Dunlavin c. 1200-1600 – Thornton lace — Imaal hall wall plaque — Interpretative panel — Dunlavin remodelled — Pre-famine Dunlavin — A class afternoon — Schools annals project — Fr. Thomas Butler — The market house bell — Dwyer lecture notes — West Wicklow tour — Protestant Dunlavin 1600-1800 — Slater’s Directory, 1881 — Nevill’s map, 1760 — The plough and the stars — Population, society, economy — Religion and politics — Marginalised groups — Pro- and anti-Home Rulers — World War One — Easter Rising — Republican transition — Anglo-Irish War I — Anglo-Irish War II — The Dunlavin tragedy — Towards civil war — Civil war in Dunlavin — Civil War claims I — Civil War claims II — Civil War claims III — Reflection — Illustrations credits.
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with monochrome photographs.
Full title: Michael Dwyer – The Great Elusive Rebel
Creator / Author: Kevin P. Oldham
Item Type / Page count: Magazine Article / 3pp
Journal Information: Ireland’s Eye Christmas Annual, Issue 276, pp. 48-50
When Published: December 2003
Publisher / Place of Publication: Ireland’s Eye / 6 Dominick Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
About: A short three-page article which summaries the exploits of Michael Dwyer and the attempts by the authorities to bring him to account. The article includes references to some of his companions and to his wife, Mary Doyle.
ID number(s): 0790-3766
Extra #1: Includes two black & white photographs one of which of Dwyer’s Cottage at Derrynamuck
Extra #2: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.
Full title: The Life of Michael Dwyer with some account of his companions
Creator / Author: Charles Dickson
Item Type / Page count: Book / 420p
When Published: 1944
Publisher / Place of Publication: Brown and Nolan Limited The Richview Press / Clonskeagh, Dublin
About: A classic work on Michael Dwyer and his milieu. The author does not romanticise Dwyer but uses extensive sources to provide a dispassionate description of the events associated with this important figure in local and national history.
ID number(s): None
Chapters: Note on the Portrait – Acknowledgement – Foreword — PART I: Historical background – Birth and early life — Preparation – Stratford, Dunlavin and after – Dwyer joins the Wexfordmen — Hacketstown – Ballyellis and after – “Protections” – Dwyer visits Leitrim Camp – The Byrnes of Ballymanus – The Manoeuvre at Clone Hill — Knockalt – Hugo’s raid on Glen Imaal — Coolamaddra — Ballynastockan – A spy at work — Knockaderry – The Battle of Keadeen — Downings – Dwyer’s flight in Glenmalure – Dwyer’s wife – Dwyer and Holt – Dwyer succeeds Holt – The christening at Killalish – The Sruhaun Road — Greenville – The death of Thomas Kavanagh – Michael Kearns leaves Dwyer — Derrynamuck – The sequel of Derrynamuck – The trial of Neal Devitt – Disposal of Prisoners — Baravore – The memorial of William Steel – Dwyer stirs again – Dwyer ambushes the Humewood Cavalry — Rathdangan – Methods and results – Dwyer and Case – Castleruddery – Ballyneddin – The Sea Whistle incident – Life “on the run” 1798-1803 – Caves – The strange case of Mary Savage – The exploits of Thomas Halpin – Dwyer’s father – The Reverend Edward Ryan intervenes — Leitrim – Spies and informers – Dwyer at Macreddin – Roads – Donard – The testimony of Sergeant Hawkins – The reports of Captain Thomas King – Robbery under arms – Major Tattam’s plan – Weapons – Ballinroan – Talbotstown – Dwyer and Emmet – Dwyer marks time – The search continues – Surrender – Imprisonment I – Imprisonment II: Examination – Imprisonment III: The letters – Embarkation – Aftermath. PART II: DWYER’S COMPANIONS Introduction – Nominal rolls – John Mernagh – Hugh Vesty Byrne – Andrew Thomas – Sam McAllister and his mother – Owen Byrne (Kittagh) & Terence Byrne & John Byrne – John Healy – Andrew Hacket – Matthew Doyle – John Arnold – John Harman & Laurence Harman & Nicholas Harman – Michael Dalton – Patrick Barry – Antrim John – John Porter – Patrick Grant – William Genoud – John McVeigh – Arthur Devlin – James Richardson – Christopher Byrne & John Byrne – Valentine Case – James Cullen – James Murray – Anne Devlin – Daniel Cullinane (“Marcus Cleark”) – Miscellaneous – Appendices – Bibliographical note – Index.
Extra #1: Includes a fold-out map of Wicklow showing places associated with Dwyer.
Extra #2: Includes a reproduction of James Petrie’s portrait of Dwyer.
Extra #4: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.
Extra #5: Read a review of this book from Irish Historical Studies via JSTOR. [Personal registration / conditions apply]. Alternatively, your local public library may provide free online access to this review article.
Extra #6: Read a review of this book from The Irish Monthly via JSTOR. [Personal registration / conditions apply]. Alternatively, your local public library may provide free online access to this review article.
Extra #7: Read a review of this book from Studies via JSTOR. [Personal registration / conditions apply]. Alternatively, your local public library may provide free online access to this review article.
Full title (1): The Winter Escape of the Ulster Princes
Full title (2): Vanquished by a New Road
Creator / Author: John G. O’Dwyer
Item Type / Page count: Book Chapters / 12p & 14p
When Published: 2019
Publisher / Place of Publication: Currach Books / 23 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Parent Publication [book]: Wild Stories from the Irish Uplands / by John G. O’Dwyer / 190pp
About: This book recounts escapades, adventures and heroic deeds that have taken place in the hills and mountains of Ireland. Two of the 14 chapters pertain to the Wicklow Mountains. Firstly, the chapter entitled ‘The Winter Escape of the Ulster Princes’ (pp43-54) tells the story of Red Hugh O’Donnell and Art O’Neill, who having escaped from Dublin Castle in 1592 fled through the Wicklow mountains to try to join up with Fiach MacHugh O’Byrne.
‘Vanquished by a New Road’ is the title of a chapter about Michael Dwyer which gives a brief account of his life. The author goes on to describe the history of the Military Road which was constructed in an effort to curb the activities of rebel forces in the Wicklow mountains,
Journal Information: Ireland’s Own Magazine, pp. 50-51
When Published: 10th November 2000
Publisher / Place of Publication: Ireland’s Own / Channing House, Rowe Street, Wexford.
About: A short two-page article which profiles Billy Byrne of Ballymanus, one of the leaders of the 1798 Rebellion. He is commemorated by a statue to him in Market Square, Wicklow Town.
Extra #1: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide
Full title: The Trial of Billy Byrne of Ballymanus
Creator / Author: Foreword by Jim Rees
Item Type / Page count: Book / 72pp
When Published: 1996
Publisher / Place of Publication: Dee-Jay Publications / 3 Meadows Lane, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
About: This account of the trial of Billy Byrne was originally published around 1799 in Dublin. The case against him ranged from being Captain of rebel troops in the Battle of Arklow, to encouraging others to rebel and to being implicated in several murders. The text is presented with minimal alterations, but with the addition of an index, an account of his execution, and the inclusion of the ballad ‘Billy Byrne of Ballymanus’. In the ballad he is referred to as “the flower of Pleasant-hill”.
ID number(s): 0951923927
Contents: Publisher’s Note — Foreword — “Billy Byrne of Ballymanus” [ballad] — The Trial — Prisoner’s Defence — Defence Summation — Confirmation of Sentence — Petition for Clemency by Eleanor & Frances Byrne – Response of John Caldwell – Epilogue – Index.
Extra #1: The full title of the original 1799 edition is as follows: The Tryal of William Byrne of Ballymanus, County of Wicklow, Esq. On charges of being a Principal Leader in the late rebellion, and concerned in several murders in the same, held before A Military Tribunal at Wicklow, by order of Major General Eustace, on Monday the 24th of June and Continued by Adjournment to the 2nd of July, 1799, with the Prisoner’s Defence, the Judgement of the Court – Sentence etc., with his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant’s decision thereon. To which is added a Copy of a Memorial on behalf of the Prisoner, laid before his Excellency, and by him transmitted to the Commanding Officer at Wicklow for his report together with his Answer thereto.
West Wicklow Bookshelf 