Publisher / Place of Publication: Kate Rose Publishing / 30 Woodlands, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
About: In this substantial and well-illustrated A4-sized publication, Dublin-born author, Maura Murphy Gibson, sets out to trace her family history. The story pivots on the elopement and 1895 marriage of her Protestant grandmother and her Catholic grandfather. The author looks in detail at the roots of both grandparents and at subsequent historical events. Her journey takes her to a wide area of West Wicklow and into Wexford including places such as Glen of Imaal, Rathdangan, Carnew and Aughrim. Irish historical events also feature such as when an uncle was killed in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, 21st November, 1920. A further personal touch is added as the author contributes several original poems relevant to the text.
ID number(s): 978527233690
Contents: Acknowledgement — Foreword — Introduction — Mick and Kate – Elopement (poem) — Married Life — Uncle Joseph — Bloody Sunday (poem) — Cappagh Hill (poem) / Lilly Traynor — The Ballymount Murphys – Kate (poem) — Starting School — High Nelly (poem) — Coalman Wade (poem) — The Bibby and Johnny’s Night-out — Clondalkin (poem) — The Links (poem) — Aunt Ciss — Cousin (poem) — The Sewing Machine (poem) — Haves and Have-nots – The Iveagh Market (poem) — The Pigs and Chickens — Cottage Dwellers (poem) — 1954/55 — Travelling People (poem) — The Carpenter Murphys — When Cousins Connect — Eviction (poem) — Yeomen Farmers, Irish Rebellion 1798 — Croppy Biddy — Finlay/Eager/Hinch Connections — From France to Aughrim — Henry and Kate’s Sons — Byrne/Traynor Connection — Drimnagh Castle, Dublin — Bluebell Babies (poem) — Sources —Endnotes.
Extra #1: Includes over two hundred photographs, plus family charts and other illustrations.
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: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 11, 2021-22
Creator / Author: West Wicklow Historical Society & contributors, joint editors Chris Lawlor, Donal McDonnell
Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 168p
When Published: 2021
Publisher / Place of Publication: West Wicklow Historical Society / Baltinglass (?), Co. Wicklow.
About: This is the eleventh publication of the now biennial journal. It includes a very broad set of topics indeed. Subjects covered include: The O’Tooles in the 16th century, Ladies’ Day in Punchestown, A Wicklow man in India, The seasonal movement of livestock in the Wicklow mountains, A murder from 1916 and A traditional recipe for oatmeal biscuits, to name but a few. The most extensive article in this issue is by Cora Crampton. Running to 26 pages it tells of John & Jennie Wyse Power, a real-life couple who featured in Joyce’s Ulysses.
ID number(s): 0790-1739
Contents: Foreword from the Chairman / John A. O’Toole — Ramblings of the Secretary / Donal McDonnell — Editor’s Preface / Chris Lawlor — Ladies’ Day at Punchestown: 150 years of Festival Fashion / Dr. Emma Lyons — The O’Tooles of Imail in the sixteenth-century / Brendan Corrigan — ‘Home Rule is throwing many a shadow now’: Wicklow women, Unionism and the Women’s Declaration of 1912 / Rosemary Raughter — ‘A Celt, A Catholic and a Peasant’- A Wicklow man in India / Andrew Keating — John and Jennie Wyse Power – the real-life couple featured in James Joyce’s Ulysses / Cora Crampton — The Rev. Ogle Moore of Manor Kilbride / Jim Corley — The beautiful woman in the long red cloak / Ita Roddy — Winter-transhumance routes between the Wicklow Mountains and the surrounding lowlands / John Hussey — Murder Most Foul / Maura Murphy Gibson – Some aspects of County Wicklow’s railway history / James Scannell — Back to Burgage / Niamh McCabe & Brian McCabe — The Irish language influence in West Wicklow placenames / John Glennon — Oatmeal biscuits / Sarah Gillespie — Divided loyalties in Kildare: truce, treaty and drift to Civil War / Michael Murphy —Baltinglass Bridewell and Courthouse [Part Two] / Chris Lawlor.
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with black & white photographs, maps, drawings and graphs.
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.
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: The Wicklow Military Road: history and topography
Creator / Author: Michael Fewer
Item Type / Page count: Book / 216pp
When Published: 2007
Publisher / Place of Publication: Ashfield Press / Dubin, Ireland
About: The Military Road runs the length the Wicklow Mountains linking Rathfarnham to Aghavannagh. It was constructed by the British Authorities during the first decade of the nineteenth-century in response to the 1798 Rebellion and to help them curb the activities of Michael Dwyer and like-minded rebels. This book gives a history of the road together with its associated natural and local history.
ID number(s): 9781901658668
Contents: Acknowledgements — Introduction — The Origins of the Wicklow Military Road — The Petition for a Military Road in Wicklow — The Military Road from Rathfarnham Village to Billy’s Bridge — The Military Road from Billy’s Bridge to Killakee — From Killakee to Glencree — Glencree — Glencree to the Sally Gap – The Sally Gap to Laragh — Laragh to Aghavannagh — Epilogue — Bibliography — Index.
Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with maps and photographs.
Full title: Michael Dwyer – The Great Elusive Rebel
Creator / Author: Kevin P. Oldham
Item Type / Page count: Magazine Article / 3pp
Journal Information: Ireland’s Eye Christmas Annual, Issue 276, pp. 48-50
When Published: December 2003
Publisher / Place of Publication: Ireland’s Eye / 6 Dominick Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
About: A short three-page article which summaries the exploits of Michael Dwyer and the attempts by the authorities to bring him to account. The article includes references to some of his companions and to his wife, Mary Doyle.
ID number(s): 0790-3766
Extra #1: Includes two black & white photographs one of which of Dwyer’s Cottage at Derrynamuck
Extra #2: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.
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.
Publisher / Place of Publication: Shanksmare Publications / Not stated
About: This book details 24 one-day walking routes covering all parts of the Wicklow Mountains. First published in 1989, it has proved to be very popular with walkers and it has run through many editions. The number of routes in later editions has increased up to 30.
ID number(s): 0951454706 / 0953143317 / 0951454757
Contents: Introduction – The Routes: (1) The Tallaght Hills and Seefingan – (2) Circuit of Glencree – (3) The Dublin Hills – (4) Calary and Djouce to Enniskerry – (5) The North-East Fringe – (6) Glencree to Djouce – (7) Kippure and the Upper Liffey Valley – (8) Circuit of Glenbride – (9) Sally Gap to Mullaghcleevaun East Top – (10) Lugnagun, Black Hill and Mullaghacleevaun – (11) Lough Tay, Lough Dan and Scarr – (12) The Barnacullian Ridge and Tonelagee – (13) Circuit of Glenmacnass – (14) The Fair Mountain and Lough Firrib – (15) South of the King’s River – (16) Circuit of Glendalough – (17) Church Mountain and the Glen of Imaal – (18) Lugnaquilla from Glenmalure – (19) Carrawaystick and Croaghan Moira – (20) Circuit of Glen Ow – (21) Keadeen and Slievemann – (22) The Upper Glen of Imaal – (23) Rathdrum to Glendalough – (24) Croaghan Kinsella – Eight Days in the Mountains – Bibliography – Useful addresses.
WW Connection #1: Many of the routes described in the book are located in West Wicklow.
Journal Information: History Ireland, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 44-46
When Published: March / April 2019
Publisher / Place of Publication: Wordwell Ltd. / Unit 9, 78 Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
About: This short three-page article describes the circumstances surrounding the worst single episode of loss of life suffered by the Irish Defence Forces since the Irish Civil War. It also highlights the trauma and tribulations of the survivors, most of whom sustained life-changing injuries. A large basalt memorial, near Seskin Bridge, now commemorates the sixteen soldiers who died in the Glen of Imaal on that fateful day on September 16th, 1941.
ID number(s): 0791-8224
Extra #1: includes three photographs.
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.
West Wicklow Bookshelf 
