Twelfth Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© Individual Contributors

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.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Visit the West Wicklow Historical Society website

Principals of Protestant Irish Language Teaching

© The Publisher

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.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Link to a brief biographical essay on Gladys Allen via ainm.ie.

300 Years of Protestant Community in The Glen

[Virtual Cover]

Full title: “The Inheritance of My Fathers”: a history of the parish of Donoughmore with Donard in the Diocese of Glendalough during the period 1669 to 1969

Creator / Author: The Revd. Norman P. Styles

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 21p

When Published: c.1969

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

About:  To coincide with the tercentenery of the Church of Ireland Parish of Donoughmore with Donard, this history of the parish was written in 1969 by the then rector, Reverend Norman Styles. It neatly captures the sense of faith community and social community that existed there since 1669.

ID number(s): None

Contents: An Exposition of Our Faith from the Writings of Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of the Church of Ireland Dioceses of Down and Connor from 1661 to 1667 — Foreword / The Most Reverend G. O. Simms, D.D. — [Historical background / Donoughmore Church] – The Church in Donard – The Union of Donoughmore and Donard – Parochial Clergy – The Church Population – Parochial Education – Parish Social Life Today – Reflections of Life in the Glen Two Centuries Ago – Donations and Bequests – The Church Plate – Appendix A: Succession List 1669 to 1969 – Appendix B: List of the names of parishoners whose families have resided in the Glen since the mid-seventeenth century – Appendix C: The Select Vestry of the Parish of Donoughmore with Donard 1969 – Appendix D: List of Donations in Donoughmore Church; Memorial Tablets in Donoughmore; List of Donations in Donard Church; Memorial Tablets in Donard – Tercentenary Celebrations 1969: The Programme.

Extra #1: includes four full-page black & white photographs

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

Extra #3: Browse to the full text of this booklet via the post: The Inheritance of My Fathers

Extra #4: Hat tip to Oonagh McElligott who authored the post “The Inheritance of my Fathers” which contains the link to the text of this booklet.

Your 19th-Century Catholic Ancestors from Dunlavin Parish

 

 

 

 

 

Full title: Dunlavin, Archdiocese of Dublin, County of Wicklow

Creator / Author: The National Library of Ireland

Item Type: Website / Publicly Accessible

Homepage URL: http://registers.nli.ie/

When Viewed: Contents described are those showing when viewed in December 2015.

Publisher / Place of Publication: National Library of Ireland / Kildare Street, Dublin 8.

About: The National Library of Ireland holds microfilm copies of over 3500 church registers from parishes in Ireland. The library has now digitised these registers as images which provide records of baptisms and marriages from the majority of Catholic parishes in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to around 1880. The available registers are not searchable by individual names. Instead, they are browseable by diocese, parish and date, searchable by parish and it is possible to zoom from a country map to parish level. This blog entry relates to the parish of Dunlavin in West Wicklow.

Contents:  These registers cover baptisms and marriages from 1839 to 1881. This date range is indicative only and coverage may be incomplete. Please refer to the NLI site for specific coverage.

Extra #1: Browse the Catholic Parish Registers for Dunlavin Parish

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

Tithes Payable by Donaghmore Folk from 1826

 

 

 

Full title: Townlands in Donaghmore (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 July 2015.

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:  Ballinabarny – Ballinard – Ballinclea — Ballineddan Mountain – Ballineddan — Ballintruer — Ballintruer More – Ballyhubbock – Ballyreask – Ballytoole — Ballytoole Upper – Ballyvoghan – Ballyvraghan – Ballinfoyle – Brittas – Brusselstown – Bushfield – Camara – Cannow – Castleruddery – Castlesallagh – Clonshannon – Clorna – Coan – Colliga – Coolamaddra – Coolmoney – Davidstown – Derrynamuck – Donaghmore – Drumreagh – Eadestown – Gibstown – Kelshamore – Kilbreffy – Killybeg – Knockaderry – Knockandarragh – Knocknamunnion – Knockanarrigan – Monroe – Moorspark – Rostyduff – Seskin — Seskin Curragh – Snugborough — Snugborough Moat – Spinans — Sranahely Mountain – Stranahely – Tinnehinch – Whitestown – Randalstown — Raheen.

Extra #1: Browse the Tithe Applotment Book(s) for Donaghmore 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.

Timothy Clifford O’Connor R.I.P. 1913

© The Publisher

Full title: The Late Rev. Chancellor T.C. O’Connor [obituary]

Creator / Author: W.B. Wells (editor)

Item Type / Page count: Magazine Article / 1pp

Journal Information: The Church of Ireland Gazette, Volume LV, Number 1742, p. 512

When Published: June 13^th, 1913

Publisher / Place of Publication: Church of Ireland Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd., / 61 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin.

About: A one-page obituary of Rev. Timothy Clifford O’Connor. He was described as being “an uncompromising opponent of Home Rule”. Outside of the political field, he appears to have been less strident and maintained good relations with people of all denominations.

ID number(s): None

WW Connection #1: Rev. T.C. O’Connor was Curate in Blessington Parish from 1872-74, before spending nearly the next 40 years as Rector of Donaghmore and Donard Parish.

Extra #1: Includes black & white photograph.

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

Extra #3: Link to the Online Archive of Church of Ireland Gazette. As of August 2016, all issues for 1911-1923 are online. To find this particular article input the search terms “Chancellor Timothy” under the tab ‘Please Enter Your Search Below’.

Extra #4: Browse the 1901 Census entry for T.C. O’Connor in Donaghmore.

Extra #5: Browse the 1911 Census entry for T.C. O’Connor in Donaghmore.

Hat-Tip: To the Representative Church Body Library (RCBL) for making this issue available and freely accessibility online.

Census of Donaghmore

 

 

 

Full title: Townlands / Streets in Donaghmore (Wicklow)

Creator / Author: National Archives of Ireland

Item Type: Website / Publicly Accessible

Homepage  URL: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

When Viewed: Contents correct as of May 2014.

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

About: The Census returns for the Donaghmore District Electoral Division arranged alphabetically by townland. The 1901 census was taken on 31st March 1901. The 1911 census was taken on 2nd April 1911.

Contents: Ballintruer Beg — Ballintruer More — Ballyhubbock Lower — Ballyhubbock Upper — Brusselstown — Castlequarter — Castleruddery Lower — Castleruddery Upper — Castlesallagh — Coolamaddra — Deerpark — Donaghmore — Killybeg — Newtown — Raheen — Randalstown — Whitestown Lower — Whitestown Upper.

Extra #1: Browse the 1901 Census for Donaghmore DED

Extra #2: Browse the 1911 Census for Donaghmore DED

The Schools Around the County

© The Publisher

Full title: Education in Wicklow: from parish schools to national schools

Creator / Author: Michael Seery

Item Type / Page count: Book / 189p

When Published: 2014

Publisher / Place of Publication: Creathach Press / Wicklow [?]

About: A meticulously researched and well-presented work which traces the history of purpose-built schoolhouses in Wicklow up to around the middle of the nineteenth-century. Written by someone who has an obvious passion both for education and for local history, it is hard to believe that a book of this size could contain so much information.

ID number(s): 9780992823306

Chapters: [Introduction] Education in Ireland – Penal Laws – The lay of the land – Sources for this study – Overview of book.
[Education in Ireland before and under the Penal Laws] Royal schools – Charter schools – Other schools.
[Landlord educators and the Wicklow Education Society] The Kildare Place Society — The Wicklow Education Society – The Fitzwilliam Estate – Arklow  Barony – Talbotstown Barony – North-east Wicklow – Conclusion.
[The emergence of a National School system] The decline of the Kildare Place Society – National Schools in County Wicklow — Conclusions.
[Appendices] Extracts from the reports of the Kildare Place Society training records for Wicklow (1814-1825) — Extracts from the records of the Kildare Place Society:  gratuities awarded to teachers to 1824 — Extracts from the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for County Wicklow – Wicklow returns to the Second Report of the Commissioners of Irish Education Inquiry (abridged) – Brief biographical details of those with an interest in Wicklow education – Schools marked on Ordnance Survey of Ireland Map (1838-1840), with web link to OSI map, Google Map, Google image (where school building is still in existence) and notes on the location of school – Bibliography – Endnotes.

Extra #1: Includes several black & white photographs, maps, plans and tables of data.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

STOP PRESS: The author’s website (viewed March 2015) stated: “Education in Wicklow is now sold out but is available for free on Google Books.” Click here for Google Books link.

Demolition Disallowed

© Wicklow County Council

Full title: Record of Protected Structures Wicklow….

Creator / Author: Wicklow County Council

Item Type / Page count: Books / ebooks / 77-79pp each

When Published: 2010-2022

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

Parent Publication [book]: Wicklow County Development Plans 2010-2028

About: These comprehensive listings and brief descriptions of more than 500 protected structures are published as part of each iteration of Wicklow County Development Plans covering the period 2010 to 2028.  The listings cover 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 is arranged under Ref. No. / OS Map Ref. / Building Address / Structure / Townland / Description. Each entry is accompanied by a colour photograph.

Extra #1: View / Download the full text of the 2022-2028 publication via Wicklow.ie website.

Extra #2: View / Download the full text of the 2016-2022 publication via Wicklow.ie website.

Extra #3: View / Download the full text of the 2010-2016 publication via Wicklow.ie website.

Update note: This page last updated April 2024

Taxing the Hearthland

© JRSAI

Full title: The Hearth Money Roll for County Wicklow

Creator / Author: Liam Price

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 15pp

Journal Information: Journal of The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Seventh Series, Volume 1 Number 2 pp. 164-178

When Published: December 1931

Publisher / Place of Publication: R.S.A.I / Merrion Square, Dublin

About: Hearth Money or Chimney Money was a 17th-century tax based on the number of fireplaces in a person’s dwelling. The original returns for this levy were lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office. However some earlier transcriptions survive. This article mainly consists of a listing of the Hearth Money Roll for County Wicklow as transcribed by Mr. William Monck Mason in the 19th-century. The listing gives the names of all the parishes and townlands of which the County was then composed (except for some places missing from the original manuscript) together with the number of inhabited houses in each townland. Unfortunately, the only householder names recorded by Mr. Mason are those living in houses with more than one hearth. The author of this article has written the introduction to this listing and added footnotes as appropriate.

ID number(s): 0035-9106

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Read this article online via JSTOR. [Personal registration / conditions apply]. Alternatively, your local public library may provide free online access to this article.