Words from West Wicklow (1)

© The Publisher

Full title: Co. Wicklow’s Way With Words: writings from students of Co. Wicklow V.E.C. Adult Education Service

Creator / Author: Co. Wicklow V.E.C. Adult Education Service

Item Type / Page count: Book / 101pp

When Published: 2004

Publisher / Place of Publication: Co. Wicklow V.E.C. Adult Education Service / Co. Wicklow

About: This first collection of writings by adult students from all over County Wicklow highlights the talents of people taking their first steps in creative writing and self-expression. The many short and ultra-short pieces included here feature a diversity of subject matter and opinions. Overall, the pieces provide a good snapshot of West Wicklow and its people.

ID number(s): None

Contents: [NOTE: Only West Wicklow authors are listed here] — Introduction

[Section One – All Kinds of Everything] Spring / Kathleen Jordan, Blessington — Summer Scenes / Michael O’Hara, Baltinglass — Autumn / Adeline Driver, Rathdangan — Wildlife Ponds / Bernard Byrne, Blessington — Embracing Change / Baltinglass Hospital Patients — My Home / Seamus Lennon, Baltinglass — Our Group Observations / The A Team, Baltinglass — My Walk in the Country / Mary O’Brien, Baltinglass

[Section Two – Reaching the Heights] Learning to Drive / Margaret Hewson, Blessington — The Mouse / Cynthia Steacy, Carnew — My Daughter, Katie and I / Sheila Doyle, Blessington — The Course / Elizabeth Moore, Blessington — How the Computer Revolutionised my Life / Betty Rawson, Carnew — A Little Change / Mary Manley, Blessington — The Expert Shows How it is Done!!! / James Haberlin, Baltinglass

[Section Three – Family Tales] Deep Thoughts / Alan Thomas, Donard — Summer 2003 / Margaret Hewson, Blessington — One Camera, Two Cameras, Three Cameras / Josephine Murphy, Rathdangan — The Wedding / Pamela Hanrahan, Blessington — Love at First Sight / Pamela Hanrahan, Blessington — A Christmas Past / Róisín, Blessington

[Section Four – Memories of Rural Ireland] The Threshing / Rosie Dunne, Blessington — Killing of the Pig / Betty Eager, Baltinglass — The Butter Making / Mary, Baltinglass — The Shop / Geraldine Rooney, Baltinglass — Summer Work / Anthony Mullen, Baltinglass — Childhood Memories of the Annual Sheep Shearing / Betty Byrne, Blessington

[Section Five – Animals Antics] The Feisty Sheep (poem) / Mary Osborne, Baltinglass — The Constipated Goldfish / Maureen Wilson, Rahtdangan — Jan / Bridget Birchall, Blessington

[Section Six – People] Trapped in my Mind! (poem) / Jason Wilson, Baltinglass — Remembering Danny / Catherine Noctor, Baltinglass — My Mother (poem) / Patricia Hosey, Grangecon — The Movie Director David Lean / Thomas Kehoe, Baltinglass — Nancy’s Dresser / Kathleen Osbourne, Blessington — Helen Parker / Ann Cullen, Grangecon — The Poncho / Brigid Brophy, Rathdangan — My Life / Teresa McCarrick, Carnew — Sonia O’Sullivan / Damien, Baltinglass — My Niece Ayla / Fiona Healy, Carnew — A Mother’s Love / Sheila Doyle, Blessington — My Grandmother / Phyllis Hamilton, Blessington

[Section 7 – Days to Remember] My Trip to Paris / Libby Hendrick, Carnew — Lighting the Flame / Eileen Moran, Carnew — Westlife / Michael Connolly, Carnew — Family Outing / James Byrne, Carnew — Going North / Paul Dollard, Carnew — Westlife 2004 / Robert Farrelly, Carnew — My Trip to Fatima / Paul Galvin, Baltinglass — My Favourite Holiday / Kathleen Moran, Carnew — My Trip to Cork / Bernie Redmond, Carnew — A Day at School / P. Coogan, Carnew — Winning is Good Too! / Claire Hayes & Shauna Bradley, Baltinglass — A Weekend Away / Enda Lawler, Baltinglass — A Family Holiday / Sean Kelly, Carnew — Opening my School / Joey Gilbert, Carnew

[Section 8 – Life as We Know It] My Life / Robert Ely, Baltinglasss — The In-between Years / Rosaleen McGrath, Baltinglass — My Retirement / Seamus Hunt, Baltinglass — Why I Returned to Learning / Patrick, Baltinglass — The Answering Machine (poem) / Maureen, Baltinglass — My Luck / Sheila Cullen, Baltinglass — Life (poem) / Rose O’Toole, Baltinglass — Vote Early! Vote Often / Esther Curry et al, Baltinglass Hospital

Extra #1: Search Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Bunbury’s Offbeat History of Ireland

© The Publisher
 (cover illustrations: Joe McLaren)

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.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Link to the Author’s website http://www.turtlebunbury.com

Extra #5: Link to the Publisher’s website www.thamesandhudson.com

The Unfurnishing of Fortgranite

© The Publisher

Full title: Fortgranite, Baltinglass, Co, Wicklow: contents sale on the instructions of the Executor of the late M. P. Dennis…Tuesday, April 16th 2019

Creator / Author: The Publisher(s) and Turtle Bunbury (contributor)

Item Type / Page count: Book / 76p

When Published: 2019

Publisher / Place of Publication: Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers / Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.

About: A handsome highly-illustrated A4-size glossy auction catalogue listing 865 lots, being the entire contents of Fortgranite which were presented for auction in 2019. A two-page introduction by Turtle Bunbury gives a brief history of the Family of Dennis of Fortgranite.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Sale conditions – Information for buyers – Dennis of Fortgranite, Co. Wicklow / Turtle Bunbury — Catalogue.

Extra #1: includes many full-colour photographs.

Extra #2: Link to the Auction Results for Fortgranite courtesy of Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers website

Policeman, Poet & Patriot

© The Publisher

Full title: Bhéarsaí “Dhá Chích Dhanann”

Creator / Author: Diarmuid Ó Muimhneacháin, ar n-a gcur in eagar ag Risteárd Ó Foghludha (“Fiaċra Éilgeaċ”)

Item Type / Page count: Book / 169pp

When Published: 1946

Publisher / Place of Publication: Oifig an tSoláthair / Dublin

About: “Dhá Chích Dhanann” was one of the pen-names used by Jeremiah Moynihan (Diarmuid Ó Muimhneacháin). He lived from 1866 to 1934 and served in the Royal Irish Constabularly between 1890 and 1920. He was born in the parish of Ballyvourney in Cork into a family of well-known Irish poets. He retained this interest throughout his life and published pieces in various Irish-language publications. This book is a selection of his poetry and ballads and also contains a 12-page introductory essay and full-page photograph. The subject matter of his verse is Ireland, Irish history and culture, Irish patriots and Irish places including some West Wicklow locations. After retiring he continued his love of Irish culture by teaching classes in the West Dublin area. He is buried in Baltinglass Cemetery.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Réamhrádh — Bith-scéal an fhile 1866-1934 — A Éire, mo thír bhocht go hEág! — An áit is cuibhe — Tír bheag na Banban — Oileáinín na féile — Clanna Mumhan — Síothcháin — A Bhanba, dúisigh — Seo díl-chlann na séimh-fhear — Sruthán sléibhe — A Ghaedhala na cruinne — An Ghaedhilg in san ollscoil nua — Filleadh an deoraidhe — Tá mo chroidhe go dubhach — Feall Dhún Laimhin in “Ocht gcéad déag ach do” — I gCríochaibh Naomh-Mhantán — Aililiú! mo bhrónsa — Máire — Ag teacht abhaile ón aonach dom — An Ghlé-bhruinneal chóir — Cois na leamhna — Ag taisteal trasna Glinn Dom — Ó mhuise, a leinbh — An Fánaidhe — An tSealg san, “COMPULSION”  — “WENTWORTH HOUSE”  — A nDubhairt “WEST BRITONISM” — An rinnceóir taistil  — Is suairceas ‘s is aiteas — Don Athair Peadar Ó Laoghaire — Druid liom, a leinbh — Do Chonchubhar Ó Muimhneacháin — An nóinín bán — Guidhe um pósadh — Guidhe do charaid — Guidhe do lánamhain — Guidhe do shagart — Freagra ar chuireadh: ó Thorna is ó Cháit, a dheirbhshiúr — Cead do Thorna chun dhá amhrán dá chuid do chlóbhualadh — Dán buidheachais ag admhughadh duaise ar Oireachtas 1907 — Le fáinne geal an lae — Crúdh na ngabhar tar laoi — Caoineadh na nDíleacht — Filleadh an Chraoibhín — Ár Mairbh (ar bás an Athar Eóghan Ó Gramhnaigh is Liam Ó Maol Ruanaidh) — An fear fáin — Aisling ar bháthadh Eibhlín Nic Niocaill — Gura fada é cródha — Dobrón bhainmhéara Chorcaighe .1. Bhean Thoirdhealbhaigh Mhic Suibhne (dá fear agus é i gcarcair Bhrixton — Éagcaoineadh Chathail Bhrugha-Aisling — Fáilte bhrónach (ar n-a thabhairt thar ais go hÉire do chorp an Athar Eóghan Ó Gramhnaigh do cailleadh in Aimeirice) — Do mhac giolla Brighde — An crann cárthainn — Corran Tuathail — Poll a’ Phúca — Cill Áirne — Ár mairbh tréigthe — Cómhrac abhann (tionntódh) — Mo mhaidirín “Trae” (tionntódh  ar “My poor dog Tray”) — Tionntódh ar uathrádh Alastair Sailciorc ar an oileán San Juan Fernandez, ag cúpaeir — Gluais, notaí etc — Clár na línte tosaigh.

WW Connection #1: Jeremiah Moynihan served as an RIC constable and later as a sergeant in Baltinglass.

WW Connection #2: Jeremiah Moynihan served as an RIC head constable in Kiltegan.

WW Connection #3: Jeremiah Moynihan served as an RIC sergeant in Blessington

WW Connection #4: On retirement in 1920, Jeremiah Moynihan took on a small farm in Manor Kilbride.

Extra #1: Browse the 1901 Census entry for Moynihan Family in Baltinglass.

Extra #2: Browse the 1911 Census entry for Moynihan Family in Baltinglass.

Extra #3: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #5: Check Libraries Ireland for the publication ‘Cuisle na hÉigse’, which contains two of his poems.

Extra #6: Link to a biographical essay on Diarmuid Ó Muimhneacháin via ainm.ie.

Extra #7: Photograph of the O’Muimhneachain family grave in Baltinglass Cemetery.

Seán Ó Sé – The Singing Teacher

© The Publisher

Full title: An Poc ar Buile: the life & Times of Seán Ó Sé

Creator / Author: Seán Ó Sé with Patricia Ahern

Item Type / Page count: Book / 196p [also available as an e-book]

When Published: 2015

Publisher / Place of Publication: The Collins Press / West Link Park, Doughcloyne, Wilton, Cork.

About: The Cork-born author, a teacher by profession, achieved fame as a singer with Séan Ó Riada and Ceoltóirí Chualann when he recorded the traditional Irish language song ‘An Poc ar Buile’. His singing spanned over 60 years and became for him a passport to world travel. He retired from teaching in 1993. This book is his life story.

ID number(s): 9781848892538

Chapters: Foreword – Prologue – A child of war and peace – Coláiste Íosagáin – St. Pat’s – Baltinglass – A time of sorrow – Warner’s Lane – The Red City – The singer – Séan Ó Riada and Ceoltóirí Chualann – A true friend – Farewell to Séan – Love and loss – St. Mary’s on the Hill – At home and abroad – The Sightseers – A battle with cancer – Back on track – The parting word – Acknowledgements – Index.

WW Connection #1: Seán Ó Sé commenced his teaching career in Baltinglass in West Wicklow and a short chapter of this book recalls this time in his life.

Extra #1: Includes dozens of monochrome and colour photographs.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

This Nicholas Was No Saint

© The Publisher

Full title: The Archdeacon’s Tale [Book Chapter]

Creator / Author: Margaret Murphy

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 9pp

When Published: 2014

Publisher / Place of Publication: Four Courts Press Ltd. / 7 Malpas Street, Dublin 8.

Parent Publication [book]: Tales of Medieval Dublin / edited by Sparky Booker & Cherie N. Peters / 203pp

About: A short account of Nicholas de Clere, who was Archdeacon of Dublin and Treasurer of Ireland at the end of the thirteenth-century. His life ended in disgrace in 1303. The author also provides an explanation of the role of Archdeacon in the medieval Church.

ID number(s): 9781846824968 / 978-1-84682-497-5 978-1-84682-497-5 978-1-84682-497-5  9781846824975 978-1-84682-497-5

WW Connection #1: The author of this book chapter is a native of Baltinglass.

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.

Berlin Beckons for Baltinglass Detective

© The Publisher

Full title: The City of Lies: a Stefan Gillespie novel

Creator / Author: Michael Russell

Item Type / Page count: Book / 355p

When Published: 2017

Publisher / Place of Publication: Constable / Carmelite House, 50 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DZ.

About: This is the fourth book in a series of historical crime fiction featuring the West Wicklow based Detective Inspector Stefan Gillespie. A number of deadly incidents in 1940 entangles our hero in the intelligence services of Ireland, Britain and Germany and the action gets serious when he is dispatched to Berlin on a sensitive mission.

ID number(s): 9781472121974

WW Connection #1: The hometown of the main character is given as Baltinglass.

WW Connection #2: The author is a resident of the Baltinglass / Kiltegan area.

Extra #1: Opening lines: “The town of Dunlavin sits on the edge of the great, flat pan of fields and fens that make up a large part of the middle of Ireland…”

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

The Building of Carlow Cathedral

© The Publisher

Full title: From Chapel to Cathedral

Creator / Author: Fr. Tom McDonnell

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 3p

Journal Information: The Carlovian: Carlow College Magazine, Volume 46, pp. 7-9

When Published: 1997

Publisher / Place of Publication: St. Patrick’s College / Carlow

About: On June 22^nd, 1997, Carlow Cathedral was re-opened and re-dedicated following a somewhat controversial re-ordering and renovation. This short article chronicles the early history of the building which was transformed from a parish chapel erected in the 1780s’ to a Cathedral in 1833. Accompanying the article is a short biography of the architect responsible, Thomas Alfred Cobden.

ID number(s): 0790-0805

WW Connection #1: The author was a native of Baltinglass.

Extra #1: Includes one black & white photograph.

Extra #2: Page 25 of this publication includes a photograph of the author.

Extra #3: Pages 42-46 of this publication comprise colour photographs of the rededication ceremony of the Cathedral in 1997.

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

A Detective Locklear Mystery (1)

© The Publisher

Full title: The Pact [a novel]

Creator / Author: Carol Coffey

Item Type / Page count: Book / 312p

When Published: 2018

Publisher / Place of Publication: Poolbeg Crimson / Poolbeg Press 123 Grange Hill, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.

About: This novel marks a new departure for the author as it is her first detective novel. It introduces Sergeant Locklear, a Native American who is a homicide detective with the Richmond Police Department. Locklear and his colleagues set about investigating the attempted murder of a young Mennonite, but without the co-operation of locals, things become increasingly difficult. The book is the first of a series featuring Sergeant Locklear.

ID number(s): 9781781998199

WW Connection #1: The author lives in the Baltinglass area of West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening line: ‘The 5 a.m. call from Lieutenant Alex Kowalski had woken Locklear from a fitful night’s rest…..’

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

A Sisterly Saga

© The Publisher

Full title: Winter Flowers [a novel]

Creator / Author: Carol Coffey

Item Type / Page count: Book / 322p

When Published: 2011

Publisher / Place of Publication: Poolbeg Press / 123 Grange Hill, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.

About: Two sisters, but many secrets. Iris and Hazel must come to terms with their past before a settled future can ever be contemplated. A novel of family relationships that mixes despair with hope. Can there be a ‘happy ever after’ for one or both of the sisters?

ID number(s): 9781842235027 / 9781842234587

WW Connection #1: The author lives in the Baltinglass area of West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening line: “Iris Fay, are you in there?” The man’s voice boomed from outside the rundown shop as he knocked heavily on the door.’

Extra #2: Some editions include a preview of the first chapter of the book ‘The Penance Room’, written by the same author.

Extra #3: The novel has been translated into German.

Extra #4: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #5: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for editions of this publication in libraries worldwide.