The A-Maze-ing Hollywood Stone

© JRSAI

Full title: The Holywood Stone and the Labyrinth of Knossos

Creator / Author: Goddard H. Orpen (1852-1932)

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 13pp

Journal Information: Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Sixth Series, Volume 13, Number 2, pp. 177-189

When Published: December 1923

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

About: The Hollywood Stone is a large decorated stone which was found in 1908 face downwards close to the Pilgrim’s Road which leads to Glendalough. The author, having originally assumed that the decoration represented a cross, now proposes that the design really is of a type of maze or labyrinth that is associated with that of the Minotaur at Knossos in Crete. This article looks at the history of this pattern, also known as the ‘Game of Troy’, and compares the Hollyood example with others from abroad.

ID number(s): 0035-9106

Extra #1: Includes several photographs and illustrations.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Read this article online via JSTOR. [Personal registration / conditions apply]. Alternatively, your local public library may provide free online access to this article.

Signposts for the Spirit

Cover by: Padruig McFarlane-Barrow

Full title: Glendalough: a Celtic soul journey

Creator / Author: Michael Rodgers and Gill McCarthy, illustrated by Padruig McFarlane-Barrow

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 94p

When Published: 2003

Publisher / Place of Publication: Ciúnas Books / Tearmann Centre, Brockagh, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

About: This is a guidebook with a difference. As well as taking the reader on a tour of the monastic site of Glendalough and its environs, it encourages reflection and spiritual awareness. The authors are involved in the nearby Tearmann Spirituality Centre and this book is the third iteration of what started out as a booklet given to people as a souvenir of their visit to the homeplace of St. Kevin.

ID number(s): 0954463900

Contents: Annunciation [poem] / Pauline Corcoran — Preface — Map — Some important dates in the story of Glendalough – Introduction — Pilgrimage — The story of Kevin — Trinity Church – The Green Road: a nature walk – The monastery of St. Saviour — St. Kevin’s Well — The monastic City — The road to the desert – The desert of St. Kevin — St. Kevin’s Cell — Reefert Church — A walk in the hills – The Caher and lakeshore – A walk to St. Mary’s Church — Conclusion — Reading list.

WW Connection #1: Co-author Gill McCarthy resides in Shillelagh in South West Wicklow.

WW Connection #2: Co-author Michael Rodgers is a member of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Visit the website of Tearmann Spirituality Centre

Country Strolls for City Dwellers

© The Author

Full title: Hill Strolls Around Dublin: a guide to 24 short walks in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains

Creator / Author: David Herman

Item Type / Page count: Book / 46p

When Published: May 1984

Publisher / Place of Publication: [The Author?] / [Dublin?]

About: Aimed at moderately fit people and family groups, this book details 24 walks in the hills around Dublin. The length of the routes vary from one hour’s duration to half a day. The starting points of some routes can be accessed using public transport while others will require a private car or bike. The beginning of the book provides much useful information for the first-time walker.

ID number(s): None

Contents: (1) Howth – (2) Three Rock Mountain – (3) Glenasmole – (4) Tibradden Mountain – (5) Above Stepaside – (6) Glencullen – (7) Bray Head – (8) Little Sugar Loaf – (9) Big Sugar Loaf – (10) Glencree River – (11) Glencree to Djouce Woods – (12) South Side of Glencree – (13) The Lough Brays – (14) Cloghoge River Valley – (15) The Inchavore River – (16) Ballydonnell Brook – (17) Around Camaderry – (18) Glendalough Forests – (19) Upper Lake Glendalough – (20) The Spink, Glendalough – (21) The Wicklow Gap – (22) The King’s River  – (23) Slievecorragh – (24) Hollywood Glen.

WW Connection #1: Some of the routes described in the book are located in the Western part of the Wicklow Mountains.

Extra #1: Includes sketch maps of every route.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Historical Highlights of the Wicklow Highlands

© The Publisher

Full title: A Social History of the Wicklow Uplands

Creator / Author: Brian F. Gurrin

Item Type / Page count: Book / 102p

When Published: 2006

Publisher / Place of Publication: The National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government / Dublin

About: Today, the area regarded as the Wicklow Uplands is mostly included within the Wicklow Mountains National Park. While permanent inhabitants of this area may be as rare as the Abominable Snowman, there is nonetheless a rich social history story to be told. This ranges from the prehistoric period through to the centuries of active resistance to English rule. This study of the history and heritage of the Wicklow Uplands was undertaken at the request of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Eastern Division).

ID number(s): 0755716930

Contents: Figures and Tables – Abbreviations – The Author – Acknowledgements – Ice Sculptures – Wicklow’s Earliest Inhabitants – Early Human Sculptors – Gaeil is Gaill – War and Peace – New Times, and a New County – From Restoration to Union: The Restoration; The Late Seventeenth Century; The Protestant Ascendancy – War, and a New County – Final Thoughts – References – Bibliography.

Extra #1: Includes numerous illustrations, 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 Wicklow Mountains National Park website.

A Shepherd’s Stories

© The Publisher

Full title: Tales and Yarns of Glendalough and the Wicklow Hills: told to John D. Vose by Bill Fanning, shepherd of Glendalough

Creator / Author: Bill Fanning [with John D. Vose]

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 48p

When Published: 1986

Publisher / Place of Publication: Wicklow Hills Publishing Company / County Wicklow.

About: Bill Fanning was a native of Roundwood and a sheep farmer. He had a wealth of stories and legends relating to the Wicklow Mountains. This is a collection of some of the tales that he told to John D. Vose between 1956 and 1985. The stories have proved so popular that the booklet has gone into a second edition.

ID number(s): None

Chapters: Introducing the incorrigible Bill Fanning, shepherd of Glendalough — Fair days — Quare characters, tramps, tinkers and ‘chancers’ — Legends of St. Kevin – Childhood days — School days — Wakes and Missions — On the road to Lacken – Zellars O’Lacken – Wee folk, the Banshee and Will O’ the Wisp.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Writing About Wicklow

© The Publisher

Full title: Ordnance survey letters Wicklow and Carlow: letters relating to the antiquities of the counties of Wicklow and Carlow containing information collected during the progress of the ordnance survey 1838-1840.

Creator / Author: Michael Herity (editor)

Item Type / Page count: Book / 294pp

When Published: 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: Fourmasters Press / Dublin 4

About: The Ordnance Survey for Ireland was established in 1824. One of the projects involved a team, headed by the Irish scholar John O’Donovan, visiting the counties of Ireland and submitting by letter various information relating to their history, placenames, antiquities, architecture etc. This volume reprints the letters sent back to Dublin from Wicklow and Carlow. It should be noted that the places listed in the contents are the places from which the letters were sent, but the topics covered in the letters themselves range much more widely and together cover all locations in the county.

ID number(s): 9781903538197

Contents: (Wicklow only) Acknowledgements – Editor’s Note — The Curry Brothers, O’Donovan and O’Conor in Wicklow / Michael Herity — Bullaun Stones and Early Medieval Pilgrimage at Glendalough / David McGuinness — Enniskerry December 13th 1838, December 15th 1838, December 17th 1838 — Carlow December 18th 1838 — Bray December 22nd 1838 — Carlow December 26th 1838 — Bray December 27th 1838, December 29th 1838 — Baltinglass December 30th 1838, December 31st 1838 /Jan. 1st 1839, January 1st 1839, January 3rd 1839 — Newtown Mount Kennedy January 3rd 1839, January 5th 1839 — Rathdrum January 7th 1839 — Newtown Mount Kennedy January 8th 1839 — Blessington January 9th 1839, January 10th 1839 — Newtown Mount Kennedy January 11th 1839 — Blessington January 13th 1839, January 15th 1839 — Wicklow January 16th 1839 — Blessington January 16th 1839, January 18th 1839 — Wicklow January 19th 1839 — Blessington January 21st 1839, January 22nd 1839 — Wicklow January 22nd 1839 — Blessington January 23rd 1839, January 24th 1839 — Rathdrum January 24th 1839, January 24th 1839, January 26th 1839 — Arklow January 28th 1839, January 29th 1839, January 31st 1839, February 4th 1839 – [Letters from] J. O’Donovan March 30th 1840 — J. O’Donovan Account of Glendalough, April 7th/14th 1840 — H. Tucker September 14th 1839 — G. Petrie September 16th 1839 — H. Tucker March 23rd 1840 — H. Tucker March 24th 1840 — E James March 26th 1840 – Index.

Extra #1: Includes several illustrations and maps.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Link to ‘Ordnance Survey of Ireland Letters’ page at AskAboutIreland.ie

Following the Pilgrims’ Progress (3)

© The Publisher

Full title: A Walk in the Garden

Creator / Author: Darach MacDonald

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 18p

When Published: 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: New Island / 2 Brookside, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14.

Parent Publication [book]: Tóchar: walking Ireland’s ancient pilgrim paths / by Darach MacDonald / 298pp

About: This is Chapter 7 of 11 chapters each describing the author’s personal odyssey of walking some of the sacred paths Ireland. He uses the journeys as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and tries to plan them to coincide with local observances of pilgrimage. In this chapter, he details the pilgrim path from Hollywood to Glendalough which he travelled in February 2010. His experience of what is called St. Kevin’s Road is not a great one, but he manages to reach Glendalough in one piece and throws in some interesting observations along the way.

ID number(s): 9781848402478

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Link to the Publisher’s website.

Some of our Folk and Fairy Tales

© The Publisher

Full title: Wicklow Folk Tales

Creator / Author: Brendan Nolan

Item Type / Page count: Book / 191pp

When Published: August 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: The History Press / 50 City Quay, Dublin 2

About: The author of this selection of tales is a professional storyteller. Here he presents stories of myth, magic, the supernatural and the all too natural from every corner of our county. West Wicklow is well represented with more than half of the content associated with locations on this side of the county. Most of these stories spring from the oral tradition that prevailed before the arrival of electricity.

ID number(s): 9781845887858

Contents: Acknowledgements – Introduction – An Army of Stones – A Hand in the Night – The Resurrection of Sean – The Travels of Davy – Not Gone and Not Forgotten – A Shower of Stones – Moving About – Wise Man Paddy Stevens – Warring Spirits – Taken by the Fairies – A Fleeting Bird – The Long walk to Crois Úna – Milk Profit – A Cure for Baldness – Now You See It, Now You Don’t – Shriven Souls – Wicklow Foxes – Of Water and Stone – Féar Gortach – Derrybawn Cow – Bedding St. Kevin – Dargle Lovers – The Devil is in the Glen – Bray Smugglers – Gold-Mine Mountain – Priest Hunters – Hempenstall Military Road – Wicklow Avalanche – Glencree – Surviving the Snow Storm – Tall Tales.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Link to the author’s blog.

Following the Pilgrims’ Progress (2)

© The Publisher

Full title: St. Kevin’s Way, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

Creator / Author: John G. O’Dwyer

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 7p

When Published: 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: The Collins Press / West Link Park, Doughcloyne, Wilton, Cork.

Parent Publication [book]: Pilgrim paths in Ireland: from Slieve Mish to Skellig Michael: a guide / by John G. O’Dwyer / 122pp

About: This is Chapter 9 of 15 chapters, each detailing the author’s impression of an important ancient pilgrim route in Ireland. In this instance, he travels along St. Kevin’s Way from Hollywood to Glendalough. He is not greatly enamoured of the layout of the path, especially on the Hollywood side. However, the final destination at Glendalough more than compensates for earlier inconveniences. This walk, just like all others in the book, has directions, the degree of difficulty and estimated time.

ID number(s): 9781848891715

Extra #1: Includes map of the route and two photographs.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Mapping Our Mountains (2)

© EastWest Mapping

Full title: Lugnaquilla & Glendalough: 1:30,000 Detailed Map

Creator / Author: EastWest Mapping

Item Type / Page count: Map / 1 page folded down to 12 x 23cm

When Published: 2010 (updated in March 2013)

Publisher / Place of Publication: EastWest Mapping / Clonegal, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

About: This detailed map covers the area from Woodenboley across to Lough Dan, down to Ballinaclash and over to Kiltegan. It has been compiled using satellite imagery combined with foot slogging, cycling and driving through the area and depicts in detail the network of tracks, paths, forests & hills of interest to walkers etc. Many historical sites are plotted and named and it provides an excellent panorama both for the rambler and armchair historian.

ID number(s): 9781899815319

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #2: Link to the Publisher’s website