A River Runs Through It

    © CKAS

Full title: The Upper King’s River Valley – A Short History

Creator / Author: Séamas Ó Maitiú

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 16p

Journal Information: Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, Vol. XX (Part 2), pp. 173-188

When Published: 2011

Publisher / Place of Publication: County Kildare Archaeological Society / Co. Kildare

About: Although the subtitle of this article claims this is a short history, it is nevertheless a substantial piece running to sixteen pages. The area studied runs from the headwaters of the King’s River at Lake Nahanagan to the point where it enters the Poulaphouca Reservoir at Lockstown Lower. The author focuses on seventeen townlands that are contiguous to the river and explains placename origins, history, topography, and agricultural and industrial activity. The townlands covered include: Ballinagee, Banogue, Coonmore, Garryknock, Granabeg, Granamore, Harristown, Knockalt, Knocknadruse, Johnstown, Lockstown, Lugglas Lower, Oakwood and Walterstown.

ID number(s): 0332-0782

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: The article includes two maps and a b/w photograph.

Extra #4: Visit the County Kildare Archaeology Society website.

A Little Book of Ballyknockan

© The Author

Full title: My life as a stonecutter

Creator / Author: Andy Farrington [with contributions from Katie Byrne, John McEvoy, Jim Behan and Michael Freeman]

Item Type / Page count: Book / 68p

When Published: ca2016

Publisher / Place of Publication: [The Author] / Ballyknockan, Co. Wicklow

About: More than half of this nice little book is taken up with Andy Farrington’s account of a life spent as a stonecutter in Ballyknockan. The remainder of the book includes contributions from neighbours on the same topic and also looks at other aspects of Ballyknockan history.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Introduction – Growing up in Ballyknockan – My life as a stonecutter – The contributions of the quarry men to the Church — The Ballyknockan Brass & Reed Band — The next generation / John McEvoy — Giant granite stone 1890 — Neddy Cullen – Working in Osborne and Brady quarry / Jim Behan – Michael Freeman’s account of his life as a stonecutter / Michael Freeman — Turf cutting — Conclusion.

Extra #1: Includes thirty-seven photographs.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: View the entry for ‘Ballyknockan’ in the Placenames Database of Ireland.

 

Households in Boystown Parish in middle of 19th century (2)

Full title: Parish of Boystown

Creator / Author: Richard Griffith

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 10p

When Published: 1854

Publisher / Place of Publication: Alexander Thom and Sons for Her Majesty’s Stationary Office / 87 Abbey Street, Dublin.

Parent Publication [book]: County of Wicklow: valuation of the several tenements comprising that portion of the Union of Naas situate in the county above named / Richard Griffith, General Valuation Office / 27pp

About: The property tax system of 1850’s Ireland. It was the first major attempt at valuing property. This section lists householders in that part of the Parish of Boystown which is covered by the Poor Law Union of Naas. The remainder of the Parish of Boystown was within the area covered by the Poor Law Union of Baltinglass.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Ballinagee — Ballinahown — Ballyknockan — Ballynastockan — Ballynultagh — Boystown or Baltyboys Lower — Boystown or Baltyboys Upper — Carrig — Garryknock – Glenbride – Humphreystown – Kilbeg – Lackan – Lugnagroagh – Rathballylong – Sroughan — Tulfarris

Extra #1: Read the entries for GV Boystown Parish within Naas Union (pdf file).

Extra #2: Search Griffiths Valuation and link to contemporary maps at AskAboutIreland.ie

Extra #3: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #4: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide

Extra #5: Link to the blog post for the part of GV Boystown Parish within Baltinglass Union

Memories Flooding Back

© The Publisher

Full title: Stories of the Flooded Valley

Creator / Author: St. Joseph Parish, Valleymount,

Item Type / Page count: Book / 80p

When Published: 2015

Publisher / Place of Publication: St. Joseph Parish, / Valleymount, Co. Wicklow

About: In March, 1940, the valley of the River Liffey began to be flooded as a result of the construction of the Poulaphuca Dam. This book marks the 75^th anniversary of the event by collecting together the living memories of some of the people who lived through the traumatic transition from land to lake. All proceeds from the sale of this book go towards the St. Joseph’s Church, Valleymount Renovation Fund.

ID number(s): None

Contents: 75^th anniversary of the flooding of the valley — The flooding / Billy Craul —The building of the dam at Poulaphuca / Davy Doyle (aged 94 years, Harristown,Hollywood) – Flooding of the lake 1940 remembered / Dick and Annie Byrne (now living at Burgage, Blessington) – I remember the valley before the water came / Earnest Zeller (Lacken) – I remember the flooding of the valley / Pat Cullen (The Rock of Carrigacurra) — John Joe Cullen’s memories / John Joe Cullen – Looking back on the flooding / Kathleen Phibbs – Mary Ann Flanagan aged 94 years old – My story of the flooding of the lake / Maisie Miley (Baltyboys) – Memories of the flooding of the lake / Michael Freeman (Ballyknockan) –Flooding of the valley / Ned Fitzsimons – My story / Teresa Byrne (Humphreystown) – Remembering the flooding of the lake / Tom Tyrell (92 year old, Blessington) – Song of Ballinahown (as sung by Ted Balfe, Kylebeg) – [Advertisers’ Section].

Extra #1: Includes around fifty black and white photographs of people and places.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Some of our Folk and Fairy Tales

© The Publisher

Full title: Wicklow Folk Tales

Creator / Author: Brendan Nolan

Item Type / Page count: Book / 191pp

When Published: August 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: The History Press / 50 City Quay, Dublin 2

About: The author of this selection of tales is a professional storyteller. Here he presents stories of myth, magic, the supernatural and the all too natural from every corner of our county. West Wicklow is well represented with more than half of the content associated with locations on this side of the county. Most of these stories spring from the oral tradition that prevailed before the arrival of electricity.

ID number(s): 9781845887858

Contents: Acknowledgements – Introduction – An Army of Stones – A Hand in the Night – The Resurrection of Sean – The Travels of Davy – Not Gone and Not Forgotten – A Shower of Stones – Moving About – Wise Man Paddy Stevens – Warring Spirits – Taken by the Fairies – A Fleeting Bird – The Long walk to Crois Úna – Milk Profit – A Cure for Baldness – Now You See It, Now You Don’t – Shriven Souls – Wicklow Foxes – Of Water and Stone – Féar Gortach – Derrybawn Cow – Bedding St. Kevin – Dargle Lovers – The Devil is in the Glen – Bray Smugglers – Gold-Mine Mountain – Priest Hunters – Hempenstall Military Road – Wicklow Avalanche – Glencree – Surviving the Snow Storm – Tall Tales.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Link to the Publisher’s website.

Extra #4: Link to the author’s website and blog.

Tithes Payable by Boystown Folk from 1834

Full title: Townlands in Boystown (Wicklow)

Creator / Author: Genealogical Society of Utah in partnership with The National Archives of Ireland

Item Type: Website / Publicly Accessible

Homepage URL: http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp

When Viewed: Contents described are those showing when viewed in June 2014.

Publisher / Place of Publication: National Archives of Ireland / Bishop Street, Dublin 8.

About: Tithe Applotment Books were compiled between 1823 and 1837 in an attempt to determine how much the holders of agricultural land over 1 acre should pay in taxes or tithes to the established Church of Ireland. These books list the name of the head of each relevant household outside of urban areas. A Tithe Applotment book was compiled for each Church of Ireland parish. Some of the transcribed names of people and places are not 100% accurate, but the original entries may be viewed for clarification.

Contents: Annacarney – Ballyknockan – Ballinagee – Ballinahown – Ballynastockan – Ballynultagh — Baltyboys Lower — Baltyboys Upper – Bannaught (sic) Bawnoge (?) — Blackditches Lower — Blackditches Upper – Blackmoor — Blackmoor Hill – Carrig – Carrickbrack – Carrigacurra (including Quintagh) – Cross – Garryknock – Glenbride — Granabeg Lower — Granabeg Upper – Humphrystown – Kilbeg — Kilbeg North — Kilbeg South — Knockalt Lower — Knockalt Upper – Cransillagh – Lackan – Monamuck – Quintagh — The Breeches — The Cross – Togher – Tulfarris.

Extra #1: Browse the Tithe Applotment Book(s) for Boystown Parish

Hat-Tip: To the Genealogical Society of Utah and The National Archives of Ireland who have arranged for the digitisation of these records and their free accessibility online.

Demolition Disallowed

© WCC

Full title: Record of Protected Structures Wicklow County Council Area

Creator / Author: Wicklow County Council

Item Type / Page count: Book / ebook / 79p

When Published: 2010

Publisher / Place of Publication: Wicklow County Council / Wicklow.

Parent Publication [book]: Wicklow County Development Plan 2010-2016, Volume 2 Maps, Schedules and Appendices

About: This comprehensive listing and brief descriptions of more than 500 protected structures throughout all the county is Appendix 4 of the second volume of the Wicklow County Development Plan covering the period 2010 to 2016.  It covers all types of structures including private houses, country houses, rectories, churches, commercial buildings, bridges, schools, pubs, hotels, street furniture etc.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Each entry arranged under Ref. No. / OS Map Ref. / Building Address / Structure / Townland / Description

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #2: View / Download the full text of this publication (pdf file) via Wicklow.ie website.

Extra #3: Each entry is accompanied by a colour photograph.

Our Villages – Their History

© The Publisher

Full title: Wicklow villages: a historic guide

Creator / Author: Pat Dargan

Item Type / Page count: Book / 36p

When Published: 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: Sara Editions / The Lodge, Cronybyrne, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow.

About: This book is listed as being No.1 in the Irish Historic Villages Series of 2013. It would seem to be an alternative edition of a similarly-titled publication first issued by Wicklow County Council in 2011. It is a full-colour A4 sized book which traces the development of villages in County Wicklow between 700 – 1900, explaining how history, the natural environment and the buildings make them what they are today.

ID number(s): None

Contents: The Wicklow Village — Monastic settlements — Estate villages — The Picturesque — Chapel villages — Legacy — Catalogue of villages.

Extra #1: Includes colour photographs on every page.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide (2011 edition).

Extra #4: Visit the author’s website

Mapping Our Mountains (1)

© EastWest Mapping

Full title: Wicklow Mountains West: 1:30,000 Detailed Map

Creator / Author: EastWest Mapping & Barry & Clive Dalby (Survey Team).

Item Type / Page count: Map / 1 page folded down to 12 x 23cm

When Published: 2010

Publisher / Place of Publication: EastWest Mapping / Clonegal, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

About: This map takes in a major portion of the mountains located in the western half of the county. It has been compiled using satellite imagery combined with foot slogging, cycling and driving through the area. It includes many old placenames and historical sites and provides an excellent panorama both for the rambler and armchair historian. Lugnaquilla is not covered by this particular map, but is available as a separate publication.

ID number(s): 9781899815285

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #2: Link to the Publisher’s website

A Fourth Valleymount Compendium

© The Publisher

Full title: Valleymount. Facets of our Local History (Part IV: the unpublished volume, added May 2013 by John Hussey)

Creator / Author: John Hussey & contributors.

Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / eBook / 39p

When Published: [Posted online] May 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: [Parish of Valleymount / Valleymount, Co. Wicklow].

About: This is the last of four collections (so far) of local history material which was first published separately in various issues of the Valleymount Parish News. This last issue was never made available as such. Rather, John Hussey has gathered together various pieces that were mostly not already included in the first three volumes to make up a virtual fourth volume of material. The major article here recounts an altar boy’s memories of local parish priest, Fr. John Moynihan.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Teacher’s Residence, Lacken / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Death of Fr. Heffernan P.P [taken from Leinster Leader] – Ballyknockan National Brass and Reed Band [taken from Leinster Leader] – “Dip me Flute” / Mattie Lennon – Valleymount I.C.A. / Tess Curran – The Coal Pit / Mattie Lennon – Bishop Boden’s Well Lacken, Sunday November 5^th 1978 / Fr. Richard Cantwell  – School in Lacken in the nineteen hundreds / Mattie Lennon — Parish Properties – Community Centre / Fr. Richard Cantwell — Renovation of the old Parochial House / Fr. Richard Cantwell — The Irish Journals of Elizabeth Smith, 1840-1850, edited for us by Mattie Lennon – Rerum Novarum: Memories of Fr. John Moynihan / Michael O’Brien (a Valleymount altar boy of many years ago) — A few historical notes from 150 years ago / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Matt Reid / Fr. Richard Cantwell – The Punchestown Races (in memory of Pa O’Brien) / Michael O’Brien – A few little details of Boystown gleaned from the census of 1841 / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Old names of fields in our parish / Fr. Richard Cantwell — Stone trough in Baltyboys cemetery / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Baltyboys House — Irish Folklore Commission – Local Weather Observations / Maggie Broe.

Extra #1: Link to the full text of this magazine via this page at blessington.jimdo.com.

Extra #2: Hat tip to John Hussey who maintains the Blessington.jimdo.com website for posting the text of this magazine online