Full title: The Life of O’Reilly. Gerry O’Reilly 1949-1962
Creator / Author: John Scally
Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 2pp
When Published: 2017
Publisher / Place of Publication: Black & White Publishing Ltd. / Nautical House, 104 Commercial Street, Edinburgh EH6 6NF
Parent Publication [book]: The GAA Immortals: 100 Gaelic Games Legends / by John Scally / 377pp
About: This book celebrates the achievements of 100 legends of Gaelic Games. The only Wicklow person to be chosen as a member of this select group is Gerry O’Reilly of Donard, who is generally acknowledged to have been one of the greatest wing backs of them all. In 1984, Gerry was included on the Team of the Century of players never to have won a Senior All-Ireland in Football. Gerry O’Reilly died in 2016.
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: Soar Like an Eagle: the life and times of Charles Guilfoyle Doran
Creator / Author: Anne McSweeney
Item Type / Page count: Book / 164p
When Published: 2018
Publisher / Place of Publication: The Author / [Cobh, Co. Cork?]
About: This book tells the story of Charles Guilfoyle Doran and of his family. Charlie, as he was known to his friends, was born in the Knockananna area of West Wicklow and had a multifaceted life. He was a civil engineer who became the clerk-of-works for the building of St. Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, Co. Cork and worked on other projects in this area which became his home. He was also an ardent Nationalist who was directly involved in the Fenian Movement. He was a writer too, with a strong interest in local history, and contributed several articles to the journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. His personal library collection was regarded as one of the finest in Ireland.
ID number(s): 9781911180975
Contents: Foreword — Charles Guilfoyle Doran — The Bold Fenian Men – Dagger John – Conspirator – Saint Colman’s Catholic Cathedral – A Narrow Escape – Turbulent Times – Let the Work Begin – Personality Clash – A Hive of Industry – Manchester Martyrs – I Do Solemnly Swear – Save My Soul – Loss of a True Friend – A New Bishop – The Oath of Allegiance – Undischarged Felon – The Fremantle Mission – Murder on the High Seas — Wedding Bells — A Work in Progress – Famine Relief – A Scamper Through America – Rum, Ronanism and Rebellion – “Honey Fitz” – An Unhappy Curate – A Hero’s Welcome – A Dubious Welcome for ‘the uncrowned King of Ireland’ – The Galleyhead Poet – Charlie’s Way or the Highway – Irish Ambassador in Paris – Kindred Spirits – The Real Boss – A Language All Their Own – Release the Prisoners – Decoration Day – Patriotic Ink — The Ribbon Men — The Pitter Patter of Tiny Feet – Trip of a Lifetime – What About Lizzie? – The Power of Social Media – Donworth House – Padré Edward O’Sullivan Goidanich – Tibbotstown Water Scheme – Who Fears to Speak of ‘98 – Wheels Within Wheels – A Red Rag to a Bull – Cathedral Bazaar and Fete – Enthusiastic Gaels – Undoubted Genius – Bloodless Terrorism – Violence Begets Violence – A Cobh Connection – Time to Say Goodbye – Roots — Life Goes On — Elizabeth Ignatius “Seanachaí” – Queen of the May – Blind Endeavour is not Wise – Scholar and Man of Letters – Homecoming of John Devoy – Cobh’s Tribute to Fenian Architect – “Irish Pluck and Yankee Grit” – Clan na Gael – “Love is a Friendship Set to Music” – A Magnificent Legacy – Bibliography.
Extra #1: Includes over fifty black and white photographs or other illustrations.
Full title: An Architect Earl: Edward Augustus Stratford (1736-1801), 2nd Earl of Aldborough
Creator / Author: Ronald W. Lightbown
Item Type / Page count: Book / 471p
When Published: 2008
Publisher / Place of Publication: OLL Editions (in association with the Irish Georgian Society) / Castlegarden, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.
About: This is a substantial, scholarly and highly-illustrated study of the life, works and family of Edward Stratford, the 2nd Earl of Aldborough. An entrepreneur and amateur architect, he left his mark on places as diverse as Belan, Co. Kildare, Stratford-on-Slaney and Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, Aldborough House, Portland Row, Dublin and Stratford Place, London. The author is a former member of staff of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
ID number(s): 9780956082602
Chapters: PREFACE — The Stratford Family — The Young Edward Stratford — Stratford Place in London — Life in Bath — Fissures appear in the Stratford family — The opening of the First Earl’s will — Stratford-on-Slaney — The Volunteers and Wheatley’s Review at Belan — The Irish House of Lords — Second Marriage — Belan House and Demesne — George Hartpole — Prelude to the storm — Aldborough House in Dublin — The state of Edward’s finances — Quarrel with Lord Clare — Final Acts — NOTES — PLATE INDEX — INDEX.
Full title: Another world: hill farming in the Wicklow Mountains: Séamus Balfe’s memories of Lackan, Kylebeg and Ballynultagh
Creator / Author: John Hussey
Item Type / Page count: Book / 107p
When Published: 2019
Publisher / Place of Publication: The Author / [Co. Wicklow]
About: If this book came out in a hardback edition it might be known as a ‘coffee-table’ book, given its size and format (21 x 30 cm). It is a handsome presentation of the recollections of Séamus Balfe on social and farming life in the uplands of West Wicklow. The book arose out of a series of interviews that John Hussey conducted with Séamus Balfe between 2006 and 2019 and this end result perfectly preserves memories of a way of life that will disappear all too soon.
ID number(s): 9781913108182
Contents: Introduction – Life around Lackan in the early 1940’s – Shops and Traders – Escapades in Dublin — Entertainment — Hill-farming at Lackan and Kylebeg — Fairs, marts and droving – Ballynultagh: a forgotten place — Wicklow houses — Illnesses, doctors and death — Easing off and easing out.
Extra #1: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.
Extra #2: Includes maps and photographs.
Extra #3: Link to John Hussey’s page on Academia.edu
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: Don Juan O’Brien: an Irish adventurer in nineteenth-century South America
Creator / Author: Tim Fanning
Item Type / Page count: Book and e-book / 172p
When Published: 2020
Publisher / Place of Publication: Cork University Press / Boole Library, University College Cork, Cork T12 ND89, Ireland
About: This is a comprehensive examination of the life and times of John Thomond O’Brien who left Ireland for Buenos Aires in the early part of the nineteenth century and who played a substantial part in the independence struggles of Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. He was also active in the fields of exploration, business, politics and diplomacy. The author, Tim Fanning, is a specialist in the history of the Irish in Spain and Latin America.
ID number(s): 9781782053828 / 9781782053835 / 9781782053842 / 9781782053859
Contents: Acknowledgements — Note About Translations — Introduction: Revolutionary, entrepreneur, self-publicist — King Cotton — The Mounted Grenadier — The Invasion of Chile — The Liberation of Peru — The Emigrant’s Dream — Laykakota — The Irish Community in Buenos Aires — El Dorado — The Restorer of the Laws — The Great War — ‘Messenger of the Heroes’ — Conclusion: Reputation — Notes — Bibliography — Index.
WW Connection #1: Don Juan O’Brien aka John Thomond O’Brien was born John Bryan in Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow in 1786.
Full title: Cluichí Ceannais Iomána an Chéid 30th Mean Fomháir 1984
Creator / Author: Coiste Condae Chill Mhantáin
Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 21p
When Published: 1984
Publisher / Place of Publication: Coiste Condae Chill Mhantáin / Aughrim(?), Co. Wicklow,
About: The official programme for the Wicklow County Hurling finals that were held in 1984, the centenary year of the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association. It contains some material of West Wicklow GAA interest.
ID number(s): None
Contents: Hurling Officer’s Address / Tomás Ó Colmáin — Focal ón gCathaoirleach — Remember the teams — Carnew Panel — The Town of Carnew [poem] — Special Trophy — The Senior Finals of ‘54 — Rooting the Ash / Fr. Liam Dunne C.C. — Kiltegan Panel — Did You Know? — The Chapel at Kilamoate [poem] — County Hurling Championship Final 50 Years Ago — Senior Hurling Champs Down the Years.
WW Connection #1: The Senior Hurling final featured two West Wicklow teams, Carnew Emmets and Kiltegan.
WW Connection #2: A special centenary football match that afternoon was also contested by two West Wicklow teams, Blessington and Baltinglass.
WW Connection #3: The foreword to the programme was written by Peter Keogh, the Kiltegan native who was the Chairman of the Wicklow GAA County Board.
WW Connection #4: Includes a poem relating to the district of each of the senior finalists, Carnew and Kiltegan.
Extra #1: includes many photographs of GAA interest.
Publisher / Place of Publication: The History Press / 50 City Quay, Dublin 2
Parent Publication [book]: Ireland’s suffragettes: the women who fought for the vote / by Sarah-Beth Watkins / 144pp
About: The book from which this short chapter is taken is a collection of biographical portraits of women who played an important part in campaign for women’s rights and national freedom. The entry here refers to Jennie Wyse Power who was prominent in public life in Ireland and was one of the pioneers in the participation of women in political life. She became the first President of Cumann na mBan (the women’s auxiliary to the Irish Volunteers) and was a member of the Irish Senate.
ID number(s): 9781845888244
WW Connection #1: Jennie Wyse Power (née O’Toole) was born in Baltinglass in West Wicklow
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.
West Wicklow Bookshelf 