Rathdangan – its Past and its People

© Rathdangan Community Council

Full title: Heather, Hills & Hearths – Rathdangan Ráth Daingin: history & memories

Creator / Author: Rathdangan History Group

Item Type / Page count: Book / 464pp

When Published: 2018

Publisher / Place of Publication: Rathdangan Community Council / Rathdangan, Co. Wicklow

About: This handsome and extensive book on aspects of the history of Rathdangan, its neighbourhood and its people is a labour of love by the local community. Under the umbrella of Rathdangan History Group many individuals came together and have produced a fine example of a local history publication that is rooted in community memory and pride of place. If, as the foreword states, “this book is not intended to be a complete or definitive history”,  then the follow-up is eagerly anticipated.

ID number(s): 9781999324209

Contents: [Chapter I. A Brief Introduction to the archaeology of Rathdangan] Early settlement

[Chapter II. Rathdangan] The Village — Historic Buildings — Rathdangan Today — Carmen — Postal Services

[Chapter III. Townlands Around Rathdangan, Family Names & Features]

[Chapter IV. Organisations] Marian Arts Society — Rathdangan Macra na Feirme — Macra na Tuaithe / Foróige — Irish Dancing in Rathdangan — FÁS & Community Employment Schemes — Golden Circle — Rathdangan Quilters — Rural Transport in Rathdangan — Library Service — Rathdangan Drama — Local Defence Force & Civil Defence

[Chapter V. The Rathdangan GAA Story] The Rathdangan GAA Story — Hugh Byrne — Camogie

[Chapter VI. The Three R’s] Schools in the Rathdangan Area

[Chapter VII. People] A Simple Life (Mike Harmon) — Killamoat and the “Further Outlook” (Eithne Grealy née Cullen) — Journey to Australia, 1952 (Pat Byrne, Ballymaconey) — Kathleen Cullen — Transplant Games (Tony Gartland) — Equestrian (Helen Kearney) — Catherine Byrne — A Perfect Match in More Ways than One (Junior & Teresa Byrne) — Murder in Borklemore — Cathal B. Cullen & Patrick J. (P.J.) Cullen — Mrs. Rose Byrne — Memories of Tourboy (Louisa Hawkins) — George Hawkins

[Chapter VIII. Rathdangan in the News] Rathdangan in The News

[Chapter IX. Farming] Farming — Sheep — Forestry — Big Snows in Rathdangan — Tobacco Growing in Rathdangan Area — Rural Electrification

[Chapter X. Religion] Churches of the Area — Farbreaga Annual Mass — Kiltegan Fathers / St. Patrick’s Missionary Society — Cemeteries — People who Spread Christianity Throughout the World

[Chapter XI. War, Emigration & Politics] Westby’s of High Park — World War I — Seamus O’Toole — Dáil Courts — Wicklow Members of Parliament — The “Feddan Lane Evictions” — Cheese from Canada — Landlords and Townlands — Where did our Emigrants Go? — Fitzwilliam Assisted Passages to Canada — Michael Dwyer — Tithes — The Irish National Land League — The Soldiers’ Home in Danesfort Camp — Hamilton and Hume Families — War of Independence Medals

[Appendix] Bibliography & Other Sources — Population Trends for the Rathdangan Area (1841-1911) — Poems — Old Kiltegan Graveyard — St. Peter’s Kiltegan — Burial Records for Cranareen Cemetery (1903-2017) — List of Headstones and Markers in Cranareen — Early Rathcoyle School Register (Girls) — Early Rathcoyle School Register (Boys)

Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with photographs, news cuttings and maps

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Some Missionary Experiences

© The Publisher

Full title: A Road Less Travelled: tales of the Irish Missionaries

Creator / Author: Aiden Clerkin & Brendan Clerkin (editors)

Item Type / Page count: Book / 256p

When Published: 2011

Publisher / Place of Publication: Four Courts Press / 7 Malpas Street, Dublin 8.

About: A book which looks at the missionary experience of Irish religious abroad. Part One provides a general background to the Irish missions, while Part Two contains short personal accounts and observations from individual missionary priests and nuns. Many of the priests belong(ed) to St. Patrick’s Missionary Society in Kiltegan and two contributors are sibling nuns from Killabeg in South west Wicklow.

ID number(s): 9781846823176

Chapters: Foreword / Mary McAleese — Acknowledgements — [PART ONE: THE IRISH MISSIONARY TRADITION] A Road Less Travelled / Aiden and Brendan Clerkin — The Modern Irish Missionary Story / Dr. Edward Hogan — The Legacy of Modern Irish Missionaries / Fr. Donal Dorr — Introductions / Tom Arnold (Concern) — John O’Shea (GOAL) — Rev. Dr. Seán Healy (Social Justice Ireland) — Justin Kilcullen (Trócaire) — Cardinal Seán Brady (Roman Catholic Church) — Archbishop Alan Harper (Church of Ireland) — Denis O’Brien (Iris O’Brien Foundation) — Map — [PART TWO: TALES OF THE IRISH MISSIONARIES – selected entries only] ‘It was all Swahili to me’ (based on extracts from my diary / Fr. Brian Treacy — First love in the Turkana Desert / Fr. Brendan Payne — First impressions, 1958 / Fr. Denis O’Neill — Lend a helping hand / Kathleen Byrne (Sr. Patricia) — What’s the EFIK for tone deaf? / Fr. Pádraig Ó Máille — Scrambled eggs on Christmas Day in Kenya / Fr. P.J. McCamphill — The amazing matatu – what a way to travel! / Fr. Ted Smith — Passing on the flame: the Singapore experience /  Emily Byrne (Sr. Gabriel) — My diary from the time Fr. Gerry Roche was murdered / Fr. Brian Treacy — Living through a crisis – my diary from the Kenyan election in 2007 / Fr. Brian Treacy — The call of duty: a day in the life of ‘Onilu’ / Fr. Denis O’Neill — Significant people / Fr. Richard Griffin — Appendix I: Glossary of Terms — Appendix II: The Irish Missionary Union Survey.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Students With a Mission

© The Publisher

Full title: The Brook

Creator / Author: [Students of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society Kiltegan]

Item Type / Page count: Magazine / Various pagings

When Published: ca. 1950 – ????

Publisher / Place of Publication: Students of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society / Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow.

About: This magazine was published for private circulation by the Students of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society in Kiltegan. Based on this one sample issue (Spring 1962), the magazine included such topics as short stories, life in the college, sporting activities in the college, religion, philosophy, history and a variety of miscellaneous subjects no doubt influenced by the diverse geographical origins of the students themselves. It is not certain if the magazine continues to be produced.

ID number(s): None

Contents: [Spring 1962 issue] Editorial – Letter to the Missions / D.Connolly — Gortbeg / Eugene O’Reilly — Dilemma Solved / Paul Hardy — The Passive Mood  / Anthony Sheerin — The Busy Bee has no Time for Sorrow / Paddy Donnelly — Once to Every Man and Nation Comes the Moment of Decision / Aidan McCarron – Kiltegan Gets Busy with Ordinations Ahead / Liam Scanlan – The Price of Curiosity / Pat Prunty – My People / John Carroll – The End / Michael Rogers – Insight [photo gallery] – Wild Memories / Paddy Gallagher – Condemned / Ray Flanagan – Aonach an Spideil / P. Ó Fátharta – Brief Candle / Milo Connolly – Loch Ness Mystery / J. A. J. Thorlby – Playtime: “Dial M for Murder” / Fintan Byrne – “Na Gadaithe” / P. Ó Fátharta – Waltz Without End / James McAuliffe – ‘Juno and the Paycock’ – Book Reviews – Sport in Douglas / Brian Gilsenan – Sport in Kiltegan – Kiltegan Sports, 1961 / T. Naughton.

Extra #1: Includes several black & white photographs.

Extra #2: The cover photograph of this particular issue features the Bell Tower of the ‘New College’.

Extra #3: Link to the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society website

Explaining Their Mission

© The Publisher

Full title: Society of St. Patrick for Foreign Missions

Creator / Author: [The Society]

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 36p

When Published: c1930

Publisher / Place of Publication: Society of St. Patrick for Foreign Missions / House of Our Lady of Africa, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow.

About: St. Patrick’s Missionary Society was founded in the late 1920’s. This booklet from around 1930 introduces the Society and provides examples of missionary work. St. Patrick’s continues to operate from its base in High Park, Kiltegan in West Wicklow.

ID number(s): None

Chapters: Archbishop Hinsley on the new Society — Letter from Bishop Cullen, Kildare — Why the Missionary Society of St. Patrick was Founded — Nature and aim of our new Society / Father Whitney — Leaves from a Missionary’s diary — At the central Mission Station of Eke: the late Father Tom Mulvany.

Extra #1: Includes several black & white photographs.

Extra #2: Link to the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society website

On a Mission To Africa

© The Publisher

Full title: Maynooth Mission to Africa: the story of St. Patrick’s, Kiltegan

Creator / Author: Thomas Kiggins

Item Type / Page count: Book / 297p

When Published: 1991

Publisher / Place of Publication: Gill & Macmillan Ltd. / Goldenbridge, Dublin 8.

About: This books gives an account of the history of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society which was founded in the late 1920’s. It covers the period from its founding until 1990. St. Patrick’s continues to operate from its base in High Park, Kiltegan in West Wicklow. The author is a member of the Society and provides a ‘warts and all’ description of the Society’s activities.

ID number(s): 071711824X

Chapters: Preface — Maps — Irish Diocesan Priests Volunteer for Nigeria — The Holy Rosary Sisters — St. Patrick’s Missionary Society is Founded — The Society is Established in Kiltegan and Calabar — Growth in the Midst of Difficulties — Shortcomings of the Founders — New Superiors and New Problems — The War Years — Post-war Initiatives — The Society Spreads to Eastern Africa — Postscript 1957–1990 — Sources and Notes – Appendix – Select Bibliography – Index.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Includes sixteen pages of black & white photographs and four pages of maps.

Extra #4: Link to the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society website

A Little Miscellany of Things and Times Past #2

© JCKAS

Full title: West County Wicklow Notes

Creator / Author: C. M. Drury

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 7p

Journal Information: Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, Vol. V, No. 8, pp. 325-331

When Published: January 1908

Publisher / Place of Publication: E. Ponsonby / 116 Grafton Street, Dublin.

About:   The author provides another miscellaneous collection of observations and information about areas in West Wicklow and East Carlow ranging from Baltinglass to Rathvilly to Tullow, Clonmore, Hacketstown and Kiltegan.

ID number(s): 0332-0782

Extra #1: includes small illustrations of the gateway at Fortgranite and the bridge at Rathvilly.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Browse the 1901 Census entry for the author of this article.

Extra #5: Browse the 1911 Census entry for the author of this article.

Extra #6: Visit the County Kildare Archaeology Society website.

Extra #7: Search and access the content of Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society free of charge, courtesy of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society and Kildare Library Services.

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

Sixth Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© WWHS

Full title: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 6, 2011

Creator / Author: West Wicklow Historical Society & contributors, joint editors Chris Lawlor, Donal McDonnell

Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 100p

When Published: 2011

Publisher / Place of Publication: West Wicklow Historical Society / Baltinglass (?), Co. Wicklow.

About: The sixth publication of a set of articles on aspects of West Wicklow history. This issue contains articles featuring locations as diverse as Calverstown, Co. Kildare, Glen of Imaal, High Park and Australia. The major article in this edition is ’Pastimes’ by Joseph McArdle, a fictional account of life in the Tuckmill area of Baltinglass in the late 19^th century. It is a chapter from a manuscript entitled ‘The Hillside Farm, or How We Lived in the Eighties’. Another chapter from this manuscript was published in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 5, 2009.

ID number(s): 0790-1739

Contents: A word from the Chairman — Ramblings of the Secretary — Death in the valley [the killing of Neil ‘Plunkett’ O’Boyle] / James Durney — Blackhall Castle, Calverstown, Co. Kildare [and theories as to the possible functions of its Sheelagh na Gig] / Cora Crampton – Knockpatrick Hill legend [a dress fastener for a chieftain’s cloak] / Dorothy Leonard — Michael Dwyer and Bridget Brown of Cummock / David Ward — The role of  horses in farm life in the 1920’s / Stanley Jackson — Miscellaneous biographical notices relating to Baltinglass, appearing in newspapers, 1748-1904 / Paul Gorry – Martin Byrne, 1815-1892 / Dermot Kavanagh and Brian Kavanagh — Farewell to the 25-pounder field gun / James Scannell — Hollywood, an historic village /  John Glennon — Passage tombs in West Wicklow / Mairéad Connellan — [‘The Hillside Farm, or how we lived in the 1880s’ an extract entitled]…Pastimes / Joseph McArdle — The Westbys and High Park House / Peadar Cullen — St. Nicholas’s Holy Well, Tournant / Chris Lawlor — Christmas Day 1910 Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway timetable / James Scannell.

Extra #1: Contains several 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.

Fifth Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© WWHS

Full title: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 5, 2009

Creator / Author: West Wicklow Historical Society & contributors, joint editors Chris Lawlor, Donal McDonnell

Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 107p

When Published: 2009

Publisher / Place of Publication: West Wicklow Historical Society / Baltinglass (?), Co. Wicklow.

About: The fifth publication of a set of articles on aspects of West Wicklow history. This issue covers locations from Baltyboys to Kiltegan with contributions from natives of the area.  Also featured is a major article by Chris Lawlor on Tithe, Protest and Criminality around Dunlavin during the years 1823-1845.

ID number(s): 0790-1739

Contents: Frontispiece: A map of 31 holdings in Stratford, late 18thC — A word from the Chairman — Ramblings from the Secretary — All the year round / Joseph McArdle — St. Patrick’s Missionary Society: S.P.S (The Kiltegan Fathers)  / Peadar C. Ó Cuilinn — Tithe, Protest and Criminality around Dunlavin, 1823-1845 / Chris Lawlor — Billy’s Country – a childhood memory / Kathleen Kinsella (née Keogh) — The West Wicklow Historical Society Officers 2009 — Baltinglass Cistercian Abbey / Mairéad Connellan — When Britannia’s sons with their long-range guns ran out in the Glen of Imaal / Liam Kenny — Photo from the past – John Dwyer, son of rebel leader Michael Dwyer / Eugene Byrne — West Wicklow as described in the Parliamentary Gazetteer of 1846 / compiled by Jason Lawlor — A horse tale / Dorothy Leonard — Memories of Donard [photo essay] — Elizabeth Smith comes to Baltyboys / Jim Corley — Dairy farming in West Wicklow: from the horse driven dash churn to creamery milk collection / Stanley Jackson — Methodists in Baltinglass – a juvenile obituary / Andrew Winnett — Extracts from the ‘Post-Chaise Companion or Travellers’ Directory Through Ireland’ / William Wilson — The development and present state of local Irish historiography / Chris Lawlor — A dangerous line / Janes Scannell — Endpiece: Map of Clough, Baltinglass 1722.

Extra #1: Contains black & white photographs, graphs and map reproductions.

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.

Gathering up Kiltegan History

© The Publisher

Full title: Kiltegan : the Gathering 2013

Creator / Author: Kiltegan ‘Gathering’ Committee

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 56p

When Published: 2012

Publisher / Place of Publication: Kiltegan ‘Gathering’ Committee / Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow

About: A handsomely-produced booklet that uses ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’ nationwide event as the focus for looking back at Kiltegan and aspects of its history. The booklet mainly contains short articles of 1-2 pages mostly written by Mary Hickson although several other people have contributed pieces as well.

ID number(s): None

WW Connection #1: Apart from the subject matter, the booklet was printed in Baltinglass.

Chapters: Kiltegan – your own place — Kiltegan Village  — Early Kiltegan — The Hume connection with Kiltegan — Kilranelagh – Talbotstown — Michael Dwyer — Bicentenary of Saint Peter’s Church, Kiltegan (1806-2006) — Church of the Assumption, Tynock — St. Brigid’s Church, Talbotstown — Naomh Treasa National School, Tynock — Scoil Naomh Bríd, Talbotstown — St. Peter’s National School, Kiltegan — Memories of walking home from Tynock School in the 1960’s — St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, High Park — Slí an Chroí — The Kiltegan Village People (listing those living 70-80 years ago, 50 years ago and 25 years ago) — Kiltegan Village Crossroads — Kiltegan GAA Club — Kiltegan Camogie Club — Two Great Gaels — Kiltegan ICA — St. Tegan’s Hall — Kiltegan Drama — Set Dancing — St. Peter’s Parish Centre — Hill walking in the Kiltegan area — Emigration from Kiltegan — The human face of the recession — ‘Gathering’ Calendar of events 2013 — Bibliography.

Extra #1: includes numerous full colour & black/white photographs.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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