Full title: Commemoration of Centenary of Death of Neil “Plunkett” Boyle 15 May 1923 – 15 May 2023 Knocknadruce, Valleymount, Co. Wicklow
Creator / Author: Pádraig O’Baoighill (translation by Maureen Phibbs)
Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 46p
When Published: 2023
Publisher / Place of Publication: Not Stated / Co. Wicklow?
About: Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle was born in County Donegal in 1898 and he reputedly became the last man to be killed in the Irish Civil War when he was shot at Knocknadruce, Valleymount in West Wicklow on 15th May, 1923. This booklet was published to commemorate the centenary of his death. Most of the content of this booklet is taken from the book ‘Óglach na Rosann’ by Pádraig O’Baoighill (1994). The original Irish text has been translated by Maureen Phibbs.
ID number(s): None
Chapters: [Foreword: Neil “Plunkett” Boyle in West Wicklow 1922-1923] — Dedication — Plunkett of the Hills (ballad) — 1916-1923 — Neil Boyle — Comdt. Neil “Plunkett” Boyle (ballad) / Dominic O’Kelly — Neil Boyle in West Wicklow — Dunlavin — Hempstown (Tinode) — Blessington — Valleymount — Commandant Tom Heavey’s Memories of Neil Boyle — The Killing of John Moore at Mooney’s Pub in Manor Kilbride — Kylebeg — Manor Kilbride — Lacken — Ballyknockan — Knocknadruce — Funeral of Neil “Plunkett” Boyle — Members of Plunkett’s Column — Timeline of Events in Irish History 1914-1949 — “Plunkett” O’Boyle (ballad) / Annie Timoney — Acknowledgements.
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: 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: 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: Blessington now and then, here and there: a dip into some of the historical background of Blessington, its people and its surroundings
Creator / Author: Blessington Local and Family History Society (compilers)
Item Type / Page count: Book / 84pp
When Published: 2002
Publisher / Place of Publication: Blessington Local and Family History Society / [Blessington, Co. Wicklow]
About: A profusely-illustrated collection of mostly short pieces highlighting various aspects of the history of the Blessington area and its hinterlands. The old photographs reproduced here are a particular delight. The most substantial article in the book runs to 12 pages on the subject of Russborough House.
ID number(s): None
Contents: Blessington : What’s in a name / Maureen Phibbs — The Downshires and their Blessington Estate / Kathy Trant — Blessington 1824-2002: from Pigot’s and Slater’s Directories and the 1901 Census — The Blacksmith — Churches: Blessington and Manor Kilbride / Elizabeth Halligan — The Girls of Kilbride School 1933 [photograph] — Russborough House / Crena McGee — A Nursery Maid Remembers / May Tyrell — Kilbride Camp: a short history / Peter Reynolds — From Pennybog to Shankill / Elizabeth (Lizzie) Eustace — Dublin to Blessington Steam Tram / Aidan Cruise — Blessington Garda Síochána / Peter Reynolds — The Horseshoe Hall at Poulaphouca / Tom O’Rourke Snr. — Band Hall Blessington — The First Picture Shows / Billy Gobbett — Brass and Reed Band c.1950[ photograph] — Three centuries / Bridget McEvoy — Fife and drum band 1904 [photograph] — Blessington Mart / Ned Doyle — Donard School 1919 [photograph] — The Blessington Horseshow / Ned Doyle — Blessington No.1 School 1937 [photograph] — Lime kilns / Aidan Cruise — A Walk Around Blessington / Aidan Cruise — Other publications about the local area.
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with several black & white photographs.
Creator / Author: David Watkin; photographs by Paul Barker
Item Type / Page count: Magazine Article / 6p
Journal Information: Country Life, pp. 68-73, editor, Mark Hedges.
When Published: November 8th, 2007
Publisher / Place of Publication: IPC Inspire / Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU, United Kingdom
About: Described by the author as a “handsome Classical country house”, Mount Temple was built in 1981-82 on an elevated site overlooking the more famous Russborough House. This highly illustrated article describes the house and the architectural inspirations underpinning John Redmill’s design.
ID number(s): 0045-8856
Extra #1: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.
Full title: A Revolutionary Village:Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow c.1900-1925
Creator / Author: Chris Lawlor
Item Type / Page count: Book / 344pp
When Published: 2021
Publisher / Place of Publication: The Author / Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow
About: This book by local historian Chris Lawlor, was published with the support of Wicklow County Council’s Decade of Centenaries Programme and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. In it, the author looks at the major events that occurred in the first 25 years of the last century and how they then played out in the context of the Dunlavin and West Wicklow area. This includes momentous happenings such as World War 1, the Easter Rising, the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Civil War and the emergence of the Irish Free State.
ID number(s): 9780953294770
Contents: [List of Illustrations] [Acknowledgements] [List of abbreviations]
[Introduction] Rationale and background — Sources
[Chapter 1. Global developments 1875-1925: new wine in old wineskins] Political thought in Europe and the wider world in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
[Chapter 2. Irish solutions to Irish problems] Political thought in Ireland in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
[Chapter 3. The village of Dunlavin 1900-1914] Population, economy and society — Politics and religion
[Chapter 4. The politicisation of the Dunlavin region 1900-16] Marginalised groups find a voice — Pro- and anti-Home Rule movements
[Chapter 5. The impact of World War One on the Dunlavin region] From naïve enthusiasm to muddy stalemate 1914-1916 — From bloody impasse to pyrrhic victory 1917-1918
[Chapter 6. Winds of change hit Dunlavin 1916-1918] The events of 1916: Dunlavin reacts to the Easter Rising and its aftermath — Transition: the Dunlavin region from the 1916 Rising to the 1918 General Election
[Chapter 7. The War of Independence in and around Dunlavin] January 1919 to June 1920 — July 1920 to July 1921 — The ‘Dunlavin Tragedy’: murder, suicide and the execution of William Mitchell in 1921
[Chapter 8. The Dunlavin area from the truce to the end of the Civil War, 1921-23] The Dunlavin area drifts towards Civil War, July 1921 to June 1922 — Dunlavin‘s Civil War experience, July 1922 to June 1923
[Chapter 9. Dunlavin’s Civil War experience in a West Wicklow context] January to June 1922 — June to December 1922 — January to June 1923
[Chapter 10. Beyond the decade of revolution: Dunlavin takes its place in the Irish Free State] New horizons: post-war Dunlavin emerges from the conflicts — A return to peaceful village life – the Imaal Bazaar of 1926 — Dunlavin in the 1920’s – a personal memoir of the village
[Conclusion]
[List of appendices] One: Census of 1901 returns for Dunlavin village — Two: Census of 1911 returns for Dunlavin village — Three: Report on Town Tenants’ Meeting…25th Nov. 1911 — Four: Report on Irish National Foresters’ Meeting…13th July 1912 — Five: Report on United Irish League Meeting…25th July 1910 — Six: Report on Irish National Volunteers’ Meeting…18th July 1914 — Seven: John Redmond’s speech at Woodenbridge, 20th September 1914 — Eight: Death of Sergeant Philip Nolan and Letter from Chaplain…8th July 1916 — Nine: The ‘Message to the Free Nations of the World’, read by West Wicklow T.D., Robert Barton at the first meeting of Dáil Eireann on 21st January 1919 — Ten: Members of C Company (Hollywood), 2nd North Kildare Battallion, Kildare Brigade on 11th July 1921 — Eleven: Members of A Company (Dunlavin), 6th Battallion, Carlow Brigade on 11th July 1921 — Twelve: Members of E Company (Kilgowan), 6th Battallion, Carlow Brigade on 11th July 1921 — Thirteen: Anti-treatyite members of C Company (Hollywood), 2nd North Kildare Battallion, Kildare Brigade on 1st July 1922 — Fourteen: Anti-treatyite members of A Company (Dunlavin), 6th Battallion, Carlow Brigade on 1st July 1922 — Fifteen: Anti-treatyite members of E Company (Kilgowan), 6th Battallion, Carlow Brigade on 1st July 1922 — Sixteen: I.R.A. members not on I.M.A. typewritten nominal but named elsewhere, 1919-23 — Seventeen: Advertisements from Dunlavin-Donard parish in the 1926 Imaal Bazaar Souvenir Guide — Eighteen: Present-day (2021) residents of Dunlavin with links to the Irish revolution elsewhwere — Tober Barracks
[Endnotes] [Bibliography] [Index] [Maps]
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with monochrome photographs, charts and maps
Full title: A beautiful obsession: Jimi Blake’s world of plants at Hunting Brook Gardens
Creator / Author: Jimi Blake and Noel Kingsbury
Item Type / Page count: Book / 224pp
When Published: 2019
Publisher / Place of Publication: Filbert Press / Bath, United Kingdom
About: A handsome full-colour hardbacked book which tells the story of Jimi Blake and his famous gardens at Hunting Brook, Lamb Hill, Blessington in West Wicklow. Apart from a tour of the gardens there is valuable additional information about plants and planting schemes. This is a book that will inspire a visit to the gardens or be a keepsake for those who have already done so.
ID number(s): 9781999734527
Contents: Foreword / Fergus Garrett — [Part 1 Early Beginnings] Welcome to Hunting Brook — A Beautiful Obsession — [Part 2 A Walk Around The Garden] First Impressions — Ashley’s Garden — Fred’s Garden — The House and the Woodland Garden — The Valley and Meadow — [Part 3 Plants And Planting] Practical Work – Jimi’s Plant Directory — Nurseries & Gardens — Index — Acknowledgements — About the Authors.
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with colour photographs.
Full Title: A Gaelic experiment: the preparatory system 1926-1961 and Coláiste Moibhí
Creator / Author: Valerie Jones (foreword by Susan Parkes)
Item Type / Page count: Book / 319p
When Published: 2006
Publisher / Place of Publication: The Woodfield Press / 17 Jamestown Square, Dublin 8
About: This book provides a history of the preparatory system for student teachers between the years 1926-1961. Prospective students were taught through the Irish Language at seven residential colleges and the Government hoped that this would ensure that the Irish Language became embedded in the schools where these teachers would subsequently work. Approximately one-third of the book is given over to a case study of Coláiste Moibhí, the Protestant college. During the period 1952-1995, the principalship of this college was held by educators from West Wicklow.
ID number(s): 9781905094011
Contents: [PART I] The origins of the gaelicisation policy: 1800-1926 – Greening the public service while getting the colleges up and running: 1926-32 – Failure to get the numbers right leads to closure of Coláiste Chaoimhín: 1932-39 – Surviving with the help of Derrig: 1939-48 – A period of stagnation ending in swift demise: 1948-61 – The preparatory system-success or failure?
[PART II Coláiste Moibhí] – Getting the college off the ground. The first principal: Irish Language enthusiast George Ruth 1927-28 – Making the college ‘a marked success’. The second principal: school inspector John Kyle 1928-34 – Dogged by upheavals. The third principal: Gaelic scholar Lil Duncan 1935-51 – Living with uncertainty. The fourth principal: former student Gladys Allen 1952-84 – The final years. The fifth principal: dedicated Gaeilgeoir Risteárd Giltrap 1984-95.
[PART III Postscript] Irish today-a living language – Appendix: select biographies – Plates – Select bibliography – Index.
WW Connection #1: Principal Gladys Allen (1918-96) was a native of Donaghmore.
WW Connection #2: Principal Risteárd Giltrap hails from Glashina, near Blessington.
Extra #1: Includes seven full pages of black & white photographs plus pictures interspersed with text.
Full title: The Kildare Observer, and Eastern Counties’ Advertiser
Creator / Author: The Publisher
Item Type: Newspaper
When Published: 1880-1935
Publisher / Place of Publication: The Proprietor / Kildare Observer Offices, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland.
About: The Kildare Observer newspaper was published from the late 1870’s until its closure in the mid-1930’s when it was supplanted by the ‘Leinster Leader’. Now, courtesy of Kildare Co. Council, Kildare Library & Arts Services, The British Library and the Irish Newspaper Archive it is freely available online. Issues from 1880 to 1935 are searchable and browseable. It is a valuable source for local historians as instanced by the number of search results such as Baltinglass (7107), Blessington (4423), Dunlavin (3519) and Hollywood (2127).
ID number(s): None
WW Connection #1: The masthead of the paper indicates that it was published also at Baltinglass, Blessington & Dunlavin.
Extra #1: Search and access the content of this newspaper here.
Extra #2: The platform hosting the content of this newspaper also includes the content of the Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society: 1891-2007
Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.
Hat-Tip: To the organisations and companies who have arranged for the digitisation and availability of this newspaper online.
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