Full title: Machnaimh don Charghas: turas chun na Cásca
Creator / Author: Caoimhín de Líon (1932-2022)
Item Type / Page count: Book / 110p
When Published: 2005
Publisher / Place of Publication: Foilseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta / Baile Átha Cliath.
About: As today is Ash Wednesday it is, perhaps, appropriate to reference this Irish-language book, written by the late and much-loved former Parish Priest of Blessington, Caoimhín de Líon (1932-2022). It is a book of meditations and prayers for each day of the Lenten season from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. The author also ministered in Dunlavin and Donard.
ID number(s): 0954724836
Contents: Céadaoin an Luaithrigh — An Chéad Seachtain den Charghas — An Dara Seachtain den Charghas — An Tríú Seachtain den Charghas — An Ceathrú Seachtain den Charghas — An Cúigiú Seachtain den Charghas — An tSeachtain Mhór — Domhnach Cásca.
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
Full title: 8th Dunlavin Festival of Arts from Friday 15th June – Sunday 17th June 1990 Programme
Creator / Author: [Dunlavin Festival of Arts Committee and contributors]
Item Type / Page count: Magazine / Various pagings
When Published: 1983 – current
Publisher / Place of Publication: Dunlavin Festival of Arts Committtee / Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow.
About: Since its inauguration in 1983, the Dunlavin Arts Festival publishes a programme each year. Based on this one sample issue (June 1990), the programmes include a timetable of arts-related events, local history articles, local news and a selection of local business advertisements.
ID number(s): None
Contents: [June 1990 sample issue] Introduction / Aideen Coleborn – Dunlavin / Mary Norton — Dunlavin Tidy Towns — Dunlavin I.C.A. Twenty Five Years On / Ellen Gleeson (Founder Member) — “Full Many a Flower……” / Humphrey Thompson — Dunlavin Flower Club Open Show — Firmount Orchestra – Dorly’s Orchestra / Dorly O’Sullivan – The Milltown Singers / Mary Deering – Carlow Choral Society – Sunday Night Classical Evening – [General Programme] 15th – 17th June – 1990 Festival of Arts Committee – The Bulkeley, Worth, Tynte Connection / John Lynott – I Love Teacher because… / Various Contributors – Dunlavin’s Patron / Fr. Kevin Lyon – Poetry Competition Winners – The Tullow Line / Liam Kenny – Crumlin Hospital Fund Raising Campaign / Vincent Cronin – Hollywood Film Society – Dunlavin Majorettes / Leona Donohoe – Acknowledgements.
Extra #1: The cover of this particular issue features an illustration of St. Nicholas’ Church by Paul Myers.
Full title: Michael Dwyer [and] Battle of Doire Na Muc
Creator / Author: Elaine Hoxey and Caoimhín de Líon (1932-2022)
Item Type / Page count: Booklet / [16p]
When Published: 1988
Publisher / Place of Publication: [Unknown] / Knockanarrigan, Co. Wicklow [?]
About: This booklet mainly consists of a reprint of a chapter on Michael Dwyer which was published in the book: ‘The Croghan Valley’ in the late 1960’s. Included within the main piece is a short account of the battle of Doire na Muc (Derrynamuck) when Dwyer made his escape from the Crown Forces. It is likely that this booklet was sold as a souvenir to visitors to the Dwyer McAllister Cottage in Derrynamuck, Knockanarrigan, Co. Wicklow.
ID number(s): None
Contents: Preface / Graeme Cooke — Michael Dwyer (from ‘The Croghan Valley’ by Caoimhín de Líon, by kind permission of Kamac Publications) — Doire na Muc – Michael Dwyer escapes capture at Doire na Muc [artist’s impression].
Extra #1: Includes 2 maps and some other illustrations.
Full title: Being Published : a Short Introduction to Creative Writing
Creator / Author: Patrick Semple
Item Type / Page count: Book / 134p
When Published: 2013
Publisher / Place of Publication: Code Green Publishing / 28 Charles Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV7 8GL, United Kingdom.
About: This book is written by a writer for writers or potential writers. In it the author firstly gives a personal account of the inspiration and the determination that was required to enable him to get published. Secondly, he deals with the craft of writing and how a beginner can get from blank page to last page using principles taught by him at Maynooth University.
ID number(s): 9781907215216
Chapters: Preface – Introduction – [The Industry] Overview – Beginner’s Luck – The Memoirs – Success and Rejection – Poetry – Dealing with Publishers – More Publishers – [The Craft] Creative Writing – Literary Language – Literary Forms – About the Author.
WW Connection #1: The author was one time rector of Donaghmore and Donard Parish.
Full title: Curious Cargo: voyages to the West Indies, South and Central America and the Mediterranean
Creator / Author: Patrick Semple
Item Type / Page count: Book / 199p
When Published: 2012
Publisher / Place of Publication: Code Green Publishing / 28 Charles Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV7 8GL, United Kingdom.
About: The author and his wife take a sea trip to the West Indies, South and Central America and the Mediterranean. However, this is not done on a luxury cruise or by sailing solo. Instead the couple travel on cargo ships whose primary objective is to deliver goods. It goes without saying that they also deliver more adventures than your average cruise.
ID number(s): 9781907215209
WW Connection #1: The author was one time rector of Donaghmore and Donard Parish.
Publisher / Place of Publication: Code Green Publishing / 28 Charles Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV7 8GL, United Kingdom.
About: The author’s earlier novel, ‘Transient Beings’, deals with alcohol abuse in a family and a crisis in religious faith. In this just-published sequel, can the main character respond positively to changed circumstances and will relationships develop and prosper? Will the streets of Dublin be paved with gold or will the everyday ups and downs of families everywhere be reflected in the narrative? This book is printed on demand and can be ordered online or via bookshops.
ID number(s): 9781907215230
WW Connection #1: The author was one time rector of Donaghmore and Donard Parish.
Extra #1: Opening line: I stood on the front step watching the removal men carrying the contents of my house into a van…
Hat-Tip: To the author, Patrick Semple, for making us aware of this publication and for making the book available for viewing prior to listing on this blog.
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 13th, 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.
Full title: Another Slice: a second collection of short stories.
Creator / Author: Patrick Semple
Item Type / Page count: Book / 209p
When Published: 2014
Publisher / Place of Publication: Code Green Publishing / 28 Charles Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV7 8GL, United Kingdom.
About: A new set of twenty-two short stories from this prolific author. The collection is hot from the presses and was launched on September 10th last. The stories have a great feeling of authenticity and, although fictitious, there is the suspicion that the events described might just have happened. This book is printed on demand and can be ordered online or via bookshops.
ID number(s): 9781907215247
Contents: John – The Brothers – Mothers – Bill’s Wife – The Lodger – Danny and Dec – Paddy and the Ma – Davy — Ned and the Prince — Home – The Secretary – Next Door – The Engagement – Christmas – The Transfer – Aggie – The Gate Lodge – Return Journey – Doc – Pat the Hat – The Reunion – The Survivor – About the Author.
WW Connection #1: The author was one time rector of Donaghmore and Donard Parish.
Extra #1: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.
Extra #5: The stories ‘Home’ and ‘Doc’ were previously broadcast on RTE Radio 1
Hat-Tip: To the author, Patrick Semple, for making us aware of this publication and for making the book available for viewing prior to listing on this blog.
West Wicklow Bookshelf 