A South Wicklow Miscellany (1)

© Kevin Lee
Cover Photo: Betty Whelan    

Full title: The Liars’ Bench: history, heritage and lockdown lore from South Wicklow

Creator / Author: Kevin Lee

Item Type / Page count: Book / 328pp

When Published: 2021

Publisher / Place of Publication: Coollattin Canadian Connection / Co. Wicklow

About: In March 2020, when COVID-19 pushed the country into lockdown, local historian, Kevin Lee, had the idea of starting a series of postings on the Facebook platform. These postings would cover aspects of the history of places like Carnew, Shillelagh, Aughrim, Tinahely and their hinterlands. There was a tremendous response to this initiative which has garnered over 3,000 followers. This book is a compendium of the 99 postings (and responses) which appeared between 14/03/2020 and 20/06/2020. It is the first of two collections now published in book form. A glance at the contents listing below gives an idea of the range of topics covered.

ID number(s): 9781399901055

Contents: Dedication — Acknowledgements — Photo Credits — Introduction — Foreword — 1. Snowfalls, Gales and COVID-19 — 2. The Way We (They!) Were — 3. Can You Identify This Young Man? — 4. A St. Patrick’s Day Greeting — 5. Old Photos–New Images — 6. Carnew Emmets, Kingpins of Underage Hurling — 7. Carnew Emmets, Under-14 Champions, 1976 — 8. Senior Football Final 1951 — 9. A Title Won on the Pitch but Lost in the Boardroom — 10. Who was the ‘Gunner’ Behan? — 11. Junior Hurling Champions, 1959 — 12. The Glory Years — 13. The Foundations of a Great Team — 14. A Real Piece of Nostalgia — 15. The 52-year History of Quinn’s Livestock Mart — 16. ‘Old Paddy’ Austin — 17. Is this Unique? — 18. The Water Pump on the Woolgreen — 19. The Fitzwilliam School in Carnew — 20. All Saints School — 21. All Saints Church — 22. The Relics of a Bitter Dispute — 23. Perforated Tombstones in the Churchyard — 24. Going, Going, Gone — 25. Carnew Castle-a False Dawn for Carnew — 26. Carnew Castle-the Woodhouse Era — 27. A Courthouse, a Bank, a Drapery Shop, a Restaurant — 28. McGirr’s Pharmacy-a Tailors, a Coopers, a Saddlery and finally a Pharmacy — 29. The Liars’ Bench — 30. The Liar Lives on — 31. The Last of the Benchmen — 32. Golden Jubilee Celebration 1888 — 33. Bank of Ireland — 34. Carnew Castle-the Spicer Era — 35. Carnew Castle-Doctor Zbrigniev Dabszewski — 36. A Divided Society — 37. The PTAA Hall (Pioner Total Abstinence Association) — 38. Macra na Feirme — 39. The Power of Social Media — 40. Tom Fleming, Shillelagh’s Proudest Son — 41. Carnew Stud — 42. A Methodist Meeting Room, a Tailor’s and the Workshop of a Master Craftsman — 43. Wesleyan Methodist Church (now Altura Credit Union) — 44. Appeal to Cocooning Ladies — 45. History of the ‘Tech’, aka Carnew Vocational School, aka Coláiste Bhríde-the Early Years — 46. Carnew ‘Tech’-the 1986 Extension — 47. Carnew ‘Tech’-a Tribute to a Great Servant — 48. Carnew ‘Tech’-the 1950’s — 49. Carnew ‘Tech’-the Schools Founding Father, J.J. McCrea — 50. Carnew ‘Tech’-the Advent of Free Education — 51. Carnew ‘Tech’-First Ministerial Visit — 52. Snapshots in Time — 53. An End to Cocooning — 54. Kilcavan Slate Quarry — 55. Coollattin-Heaven on our Doorstep — 56. A Memorable Day in Croke Park — 57. The Coach Building Factory of David Beddy at the Corner House — 58. The Church of the Most Holy Rosary — 59. Fundraising for The Church of the Most Holy Rosary — 60. Darlington’s, a Great Superstore — 61. Murphys of Ballingate — 62. Corrells-150 Years of Service to the Community — 63. The Liars’ Hole at the Brook — 64. School Height aka Brunswick Row aka Pavey’s Height — 65. Commemorating the Manchester Martyrs — 66. Tour of Coollattin Estate-The Story of Coollattin House — 67. The Story of Coollattin-The Pursuit of Reynard — 68. The Story of Coollattin-the Pecking Order — 69. The Woodenbridge-Shillelagh Railway Line — 70. The Playing of Cricket at Coollattin — 71. Shillelagh Courthouse-Appearing ‘Under the Fox’ — 72. Shillelagh Workhouse — 73. Lords and Ladies-Coollattin Style — 74. The Famous Chauffeur-Driven Simplex Car at Coollattin — 75. Marriage of Lord Peter to Olive Plunket, April 1933 — 76. Fatal Attraction-the Story of Peter Fitzwilliam and Kathleen Kennedy — 77. Somerset Struben de Chair-Lady Juliet’s Second Husband — 78. A Fitzwilliam Bids Farewell to Coollattin — 79. Carnew Community Care-an Appeal — 80. Bradshaws of Shillelagh — 81. Shillelagh’s Hydro-Electric Station — 82. The Building Yard at Coollattin — 83. Pat Darcy-the Village Blacksmith — 84. The Last Cook at Coollattin — 85. The Workforce in the Building Yard — 86. The Bradshaw Family Remembered — 87. A Shillelagh Miscellany — 88. ‘Patcho’ the Poet — 89. The King and I — 90. The Model Farm — 91. The Forestry Industry — 92. Ardeen Cheshire Home, 1960-2020 — 93. John Wilkinson-a Truly Remarkable Man — 94. St. Aidan’s Hall — 95. St. Aidan’s Hall-More from the Memories of John Wilkinson — 96. Ormonde Cinema…aka Arus Naomh Brigid…aka St. Brigid’s Hall, 1946-2020 — 97. Umrigar Races — 98. Carnew Sports and Cricket Ground — 99. The Liars’ Hole-Revisited.

Extra #1: Each of the 99 postings includes at least one photo or illustration.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Link to the Author’s website https://www.coollattincanadianconnection.com/

Maple Leaves from the Garden of Ireland

© The Publisher
Cover by Gerardine Cooper Sheridan

Full title: Shoeboxes: from Irish Roots to Canadian Branches

Creator / Author: Kevin Lee and Tom Jenkins

Item Type / Page count: Book / 228pp

When Published: 2022

Publisher / Place of Publication: Coollattin Canadian Connection / Co. Wicklow

About: This is a high-quality publication which traces connections between Canada and South Wicklow, particularly centred on the Coollattin Estate and the assisted emigration programme from the surrounding areas in the first half of the nineteenth-century. The authors provide a well-researched history of Coollattin Estate and outline the circumstances of the ‘perfect storm’ that triggered the leavetaking of some ten thousand people for Canada. A substantial portion of the book provides case studies of over fifty families whose stories are told in words and pictures. A comprehensive contents listing is transcribed below,

ID number(s): 9781399928021

Contents: About the authors — Dedication — Acknowledgements — Photographic Credits Foreword

[SECTION A: Coollattin Defined] [Chapter 1 – Origin of Coollattin Estate] The Garden of Ireland — Anglo-Norman Legacy — Property Portfolio of Thomas Wentworth

[Chapter 2 – Colonisation, Rebellion and Restoration] 1641 Rebellion — Cromwell — Restoration of Title to 2^nd Earl of Strafford — Visit of Thomas Watson-Wentworth 1713

[Chapter 3 – Establishing a Protestant Colony in South Wicklow] Setting of Leases — Hume’s Observations

[SECTION B: The Gathering of a Perfect Storm] [Chapter 4 – Early Famines] Year of Slaughter (Bliain an Air), 1740-1741 — Post-Rebellion Food Shortages — Famine and Typhus, 1817 — Abandonment of Newborn Infants in Carnew — Famine of 1826 — An Gorta Mór, The Great Famine

[Chapter 5 – Role of the Agent in Coollattin] Early Agents: Abraham Nickson, Reverend John Griffith, Hugh Wentworth — William Wainwright — William Haigh — The Chaloners, Robert Sr. and Robert Jr. — Late Nineteenth Century Agents: Frederick Ponsonby, Duncan McNeill, and Frank Brooke — Underagent Ralph Lawrenson

[Chapter 6 – Education] Carnew School — Shillelagh School — Coolroe School — Coolkenno School — Other Schools on the Estate Funded by Earl Fitzwilliam

[Chapter 7 – The Workhouses] Life in the Workhouse — Rathdrum Workhouse — Shillelagh Workhouse

[Chapter 8 – Assisting Emigration] Recruiting the Emigrants — Role of the Clergy in Recruiting Emigrants — Cholera Outbreak of 1832 and the First Assisted Emigrants — Tradesmen and the Famine — Logistics of the Programme — Graves Shipping, New Ross — Last Sight of the Homeland — Passenger Acts — Life at Sea — Death at Sea — Grosse Isle — Journey Inland — Building a New Home — Worlds Apart

[Chapter 9 – Coollattin Enclaves in Ontario] From Carnew to Simcoe County — From Moyne to Grey County — From Boley to Lanark County — From Killinure to Lennox and Addington County — Old Hastings Colonisation Road

[Chapter 10 – Thriving in Canada] A History of Irish Canadian Immigration— Urban Vs. Rural — Irish Need Not Apply — A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

[Chapter 11 – Gaining Influence in Canada] The Social Intersection of Language and Religion — Cutting the Ties to the Old Country to Survive — Irish Benevolent Society — Ogle Robert Gowan: the Carnew Orangeman who influenced Sir John A. Macdonald

[SECTION C: The Shoeboxes] THE FAMILY OF JOHN DOYLE: from the Crab Lane to Camden East — THE CASSIDY FAMILY: from Killinure to Camden Township — THE STORY OF SIMON BYRNE: from Munny Lower to St. John, New Brunswick — THE FAMILY OF LEONARD MYERS: from Tally Ho to Manvers Township, Victoria County — THE BYRNE FAMILY: from Ballykelly to Western Canada — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS KENNY: from Moatabower to Smiths Falls to Omaha, Nebraska — THE FAMILY OF EDWARD BELL: from Carnew to Cincinnati — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS BALFE AND SARAH KENNY: from Kilcavan to South Elmsley — THE FAMILY OF ISAAC FOSTER: from Motabower to Red Deer, Alberta — THE FAMILY OF JOHN FOSTER: from Ballynulta to Camden — JOSEPH DUNN’S PRAYER BOOK: a treasured family heirloom — THE HOPKINS FAMILY: from Corndog to Grey County and beyond — THE JOURNEY OF SAM DUNN: in the footsteps of his forefathers — THE FAMILY OF CHARLES WILLOUGHBY: from Ballinatone, Coollattin to Rockwood, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM WALL AND ANNE LOUGHLIN: from Laragh to Hamilton, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF JOHN AND MARTHA LAWRENCE: from Slieveroe to Glenelg, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS BAWLF: from Hillbrook to Smiths Falls to Winnipeg — THE GROVES FAMILY: from Aghold Upper to Fergus, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF JOHN POPHAM: from Munny Upper to New Orleand and back — THE ORMOND FAMILY: from Carnew to the Corktown Area of Hamilton, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF ROBERT PRESLEY: return to Motabower after 171 years — THE FAMILY OF PATRICK KEHOE: from “Hot Pot Lane” to Augusta, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF PATRICK McGUIRE: from Shillelagh to Camden East — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS HUTTON: from Sleaghcoyle to Grey County, Ontario — THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH COSGROVE: from “Hot Pot Lane” to Gloucester Township to Iowa — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS BRAZIL: from “Hot Pot Lane” to Carleton County to Kansas — THE DOWSE FAMILY: from Kilninor to Winnipeg and back again — THE FAMILY OF DANIEL KELLY: from Killballyowen to Umfraville — THE OWENS/BYRNE FAMILY: from Tomnafinnogue to Wisconsin — THE HOPKINS FAMILY: from Moylisha to Brownsville to Moose Jaw — THE FAMILY OF JOHN McGRATH: from Killinure to Camden — THE FAMILY OF THOMAS HAYDEN: from Glenphilpeen to Port Hope — NAOMI NIGHTINGALE: the Coollattin cook who emigrated to Montreal — THE CODD FAMILY (aka CODE or COAD): a North American dynasty with Wicklow roots — THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL HENDRICK: from Kennystown to Meech Creek — THE FAMILIES OF WILLIAM BREEN AND MARGARET HEADON: from Ballynulta to Oswago, New York — THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM KELLY: from Ballyconnell to Quebec — THE FAMILY OF DENNIS TOMKINS: from Newtown to Kemptville — THE JAMES FAMILY: from Mungacullin to Lanark County — THE STORY OF WILLIAM YOUNG: an exception to all the rules — THE STORY OF JOHN KENNY AND MARY DEEGAN (nee Shannon): from the Crab Lane to all parts North of Kentucky — THE FAMILY OF BENJAMIN STYLES: from Balisland to Manvers County — THE FAMILY OF JOHN AND CELIA BYRNE: from New Row to Admaston in Renfrew County — THE FAMILY OF NED FINN AND ANNE FINNEGAN: from Knockballystine to Wilkinson — THE FAMILY OF JOHN KAVANAGH (later Cavanaugh): from Killinure to Camden East — THE FAMILY OF JOHN KAVANAGH: from Parkmore to Barrie in Simcoe County — THE FAMILIES OF FRANCIS DUNN, THOMAS GRIFFIN AND ALICE KEEFE: united by their bonds of kinship and their roots in the Wicklow Hills — THE MURPHY FAMILY: from Tomnafinnogue to Dundalk — JERVIS WHITE: from Ballyellis, Carnew to the 30,000 islands of Parry Sound — THE TOOLE (O’TOOLE) FAMILY: from Ballyshonog to Tecumseth County — ELVIS PRESLEY HAD WICKLOW ROOTS: from “The Dying Cow” to Graceland.

[SECTION D: Post-Famine Coollattin] [Chapter 12 – The Built Heritage] Contribution of the 6^th Earl Fitzwilliam — The Woodenbridge Branch Railway — Building Boom

[Chapter 13 – Transfer of the Land to the Occupiers] Land League and Tenant Rights Movement — The 7^th Earl Fitzwilliam — The Wyndham Act — Kilcavan Slate Quarries — Hydro-electricity

[Chapter 14 – Decline and Fall of Coollattin] Tragic Death of Lord Peter, the 8^th Earl Fitzwilliam — Lady Juliet Fitzwilliam

[SECTION E: Reaching Out, Touching Hands] Reunion with my roots / John Hopkins, British Columbia — Our return to Lawrence’s Lane / David Lawrence, Toronto — Journey back to New Row / Jan Fortier, Alberta — “Byrne’s Garden” revisited / Deborak Walsh, South Carolina — New beginnings for both of us. Standing in Handrick’s Field / Larry Carroll, Guelph, Ontario — The Lees of Donaghmore / Pat Lee, Fort Qu’appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada — Return to the land of my ancestors / David Code, California

[SECTION F: Post-Integration] [Chapter 15 – The Irish Define Canada] The Canadian Irish in World War I — The Irish Gain Cultural Power

[Chapter 16 – The Irish Impact on Canadian Culture] Irish Towns Throughout Canada — Irish Family Names Across Canada — From Hurling to Hockey — Canadian Folk Music is Irish — Irish from Sea to Sea to Sea

[Chapter 17 – Rediscovering Irish Roots] The Global Village — A Generation Has Questions — Coollattin Canadian Connection

[APPENDICES] Appendix 1: Coollattin Family Names — Appendix 2: Emigrant Sailings on Graves Ships, 1847-1858 — Appendix 3: Emigrants on Board the Star — Appendix 4: The Coollattin Papers — Appendix 5: Famous Irish Canadians — Appendix 6: Towns With Irish Names in Canada — Appendix 7: Comparable Assisted Emigration Programmes — Appendix 8: Lest We Forget

Bibliography — Index.

Extra #1: Includes over four hundred photographs, maps and other illustrations.

Extra #2: Search Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Link to the Publisher’s Website

The Famine in Talbotstown Upper

© KCC &
Authors

Full title: Responses to Famine in West Wicklow

Creator / Author: Séamas Ó Maitiú

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 9pp

When Published: c.1995

Publisher / Place of Publication: Kildare County Council / Naas, Co. Kildare

Parent Publication [book]: Lest We Forget: Kildare and the Great Famine / 106pp

About: This essay was published as part of a book commemorating the 150^th anniversary of the Great Famine in County Kildare. It looks at the adjoining district of West Wicklow and uses contemporary accounts from the journal of Elizabeth Smith to show in particular how local officialdom responded to the crisis.

ID number(s): 0952001322

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 full text of the book containing this chapter, courtesy of the Co. Kildare Online Electronic History Journal.

Extra #4: Link to a portrait of the author via https://portraidi.ie/ga/seamas-o-maitiu/

Hat-Tip: To the Kildare Library and Arts Services who have arranged for the digitisation of this book and its free accessibility online.

A Hollywood Blockbuster

© Brendan Corrigan

Full title: The History of Hollywood, Co. Wicklow

Creator / Author: Brendan Corrigan

Item Type / Page count: Book / 402p

When Published: ca.2015

Publisher / Place of Publication: The Author / [Not stated]

About: A handsome publication that is a comprehensively-researched history of the Hollywood area in West Wicklow. Hollywood may be a small village, but this is a huge history and one that will probably be the definitive account for years to come. The author pays particular attention to placenames and people – two elements that provide the foundation for all local history – and their story will resonate with people near and far.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Preface and acknowledgements – List of abbreviations. [Part I – The story of Hollywood] Hollywood before the Normans – Sir Geoffrey de Marisco – The Butlers and the Fitzgeralds – Robert Pipho of Hollywood – 17^th and 18^th centuries – The 1798 Rebellion – The early 19^th century – The Famine and its aftermath – The Land War – Independence and beyond – The O’Reilly Family of Rathattin – The Guirke Family of Knockroe – St. Kevin’s Church (RC) – St. Kevin’s Church (Ch of Ire) – Education in the 19^th century – Soldiers of fortune. [Part II – The Placenames of Hollywood] Introduction – Lord Waterford’s Estate – Killerk, Bannagroe and Athgarvan – Blakestown and Britonstown.[Part III – The People of Hollywood] Introduction – Hollywood Upper – Hollywood Lower – Knockroe – Dragoonhill – Slievecorragh – Broughills Hill – Cheneys or Kiernans Hill – Hollywood Demesne – Newtown – Knocknastreile – Rathattin – Athgreany – Conlans Hill – Mullicagh Upper – Mullicagh Lower – Woodenboley – Drumreagh – Dunboyke – Scalp – Toor – Lugglass Upper – Lugglass Lower – Knocknaboley – Corragh – Coonmore – Walterstown – Johnstown – Harristown – Ballintober – Ballysize Upper – Ballysize Lower – Glebe – Killerk – Bannagroe – Athgarvan – Blakestown Lower – Blakestown Upper — Britonstown. [Appendices] I. Patrick Lynam – II. Grants – III. Evictions of 1830 – IV. Crops grown in Hollywood in 1851 – V. Names of residents 1780s/90s – VI. Tithe Applotment Books – VII. Rev. Rickard’s List of Evictees. List of Maps and Illustrations – Select bibliography – Index for Parts I and II – Index of Surnames in Part III.

Extra #1: Includes dozens of 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.

Extra #4 A review of this book appears in the Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, Number Nine, 2017.

Noelle Keogh’s Carnew Collection

© Noelle Keogh

Full title: Carnew: a Town of History & Heritage

Creator / Author:  Noelle Keogh [Co-ordinator, designer and editor]

Item Type / Page count: Book / 264p

When Published: 2015

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

About: A most interesting compilation of photographs, historical book extracts, articles and short pieces. A large number of the articles had their origin in interviews with some local residents. The editor / co-ordinator has produced a unique and substantial collection of material relating to Carnew. There has been considerable local interest in this publication, resulting in all copies being quickly sold out.

ID number(s): None

Chapters: Disclaimer – Introduction – [ABOUR CARNEW] Extract from Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837 — Extract from the Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland 1844-1845 – Extract from Slater’s Directory 1894 – My Memories of Carnew (taken from an interview with Andy Brennan) – [BUSINESSES] Public Houses — Shops – Post Office & Bank — Butchers – Bakers — [TRADES AND MANUFACTURING] Blacksmiths and Forges – Occupations & Trades (taken from an interview with John McEvoy) – Tailors, Drapers & Shoemakers — Manufacturing – Kilcavan Quarry (taken from an interview with John Wilkinson) – Picture Gallery – [EDUCATION] Carnew National School – School Days (taken from an interview with Bill Molloy) – Picture Gallery including 1923 School Roll — All Saints National School – Documentation on School Dispute – Coláiste Bhríde – The First Class – Picture Gallery – Other Schools – [RELIGION] Religion (taken from an interview with John McEvoy) – All Saints Church – St. Brigid’s Church – Church of the Most Holy Rosary – Wesleyan Chapel – [AGRICULTURE] Fowl Market – Castle Dairy – Fairs & Marts (taken from an interview with John Wilkinson) – Ploughing Matches – Agricultural Show — Threshing – Corn Mills – My Memories of the Threshing (taken from an interview with John Wilkinson) – Agricultural Work (taken from an interview with Bill Molloy) – [SPORTS AND RECREATION] Horse Racing — Cricket — GAA – Carnew Emmets GAA Club / by Etty Kilbride – Photo Gallery — Tennis – Sports Day – Recreation — Music – At Home Week – [LAW AND ORDER] (taken from an interview with John Wilkinson) – [MILITARY] Military Records up to and including World War 1 – World War 2 (taken from an interview with John Wilkinson) – Memories of World War 2 (taken from an interview with John McEvoy) – [THEN AND NOW] Photo Gallery – [1798] Information from Interviews – Unrecorded Account as Told by an Old Resident – [CARNEW CASTLE] – [LANDLORDS] – Fitzwilliams — Landlords – Big Houses – [FAMINE] — The Poor House (taken from an interview with John McEvoy) – [EMIGRATION] – [MEDICAL] [RURAL ELECTRIFICATION] Working on the Rural Electrification (taken from an interview with Andy Brennan) – [SNOW OF 1947] (taken from an interview with John McEvoy).

Extra #1: Profusely illustrated with photographs.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Shillelagh Remembers

© The Publisher

Full title: Unveiling of Remembrance Wall – Union Workhouse and Fever Hospital Graveyard, Chapel Lane / Union Lane, Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow

Creator / Author: [Not stated]

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 8pp

When Published: 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: [Not stated] / [Shillelagh?].

About: To coincide with the ‘Year of the Gathering’ and the start of National Heritage Week 2013, a Remembrance Wall was unveiled on the site of the Shillelagh Union Workhouse and Fever Hospital Graveyard. This followed a major tidy-up of the site by Wicklow County Council and local community volunteers. This photocopier-produced booklet was produced to accompany the unveiling and to raise funds for the further enhancement of the site.

ID number(s): None

Contents: History of the Shillelagh Union Workhouse and Fever Hospital – Emigration – The Shillelagh Workhouse in the 20^th century – Recent developments – Before and after restoration – Bibliography / Further reading.

Extra #1: Contains map, plan and six photographs.

Social Welfare in the 19th Century

© The Publisher

Full title: The Poor Law in County Carlow

Creator / Author: Eva Ó Cathaoir

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 59p

When Published: 2008

Publisher / Place of Publication: Geography Publications / 24 Kennington Road, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.

Parent Publication [book]: Carlow: history & society. Interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish county / edited by Thomas McGrath / 1070pp

About: In 1838 the Poor Law was brought in to set up a system of administration for providing assistance to the many destitute people in Ireland. Over a hundred and sixty Poor Law districts or unions were established. A tax was levied on ratepayers to fund this relief measure thus making it a forerunner of our modern social welfare system. This book chapter deals with how the system operated within County Carlow and parts of West Wicklow.

ID number(s): 9780906602386

Contents: Social conditions in pre-Famine Carlow –Workhouses: Administration – Boards of guardians and staff – Inmates – Women inmates – Nightlodgers – Life in the workhouse — Work, education and training – Religion — The Famine – Diet — Number of inmates – Outdoor relief – Workhouse administration during the Famine – Famine-related illness in the Carlow workhouses – Emigration – Outdoor relief and population trends – Health care in the post-Famine period – Child care – The legacy of the Poor Law – Acknowledgements — References.

WW Connection #1: The Poor Law Unions of Baltinglass and Shillelagh were responsible for parts of Carlow and much information about them is included in this article.

Extra #1: Includes 31 tables of data.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: Link to the Publisher’s website:  http://www.geographypublications.com/

Two Schools Across the River

© Rathcoyle NS

Full title: Crossing the Derreen: images and memories of Rathcoyle National School. Commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the Opening of the New School 1961-2011

Creator / Author: Sean Byrne (compiler and editor) and various contributors.

Item Type / Page count: Book / 160p

When Published: 2011

Publisher / Place of Publication: Rathcoyle National School / Rathcoyle, Rathdangan, Co. Wicklow.

About: A profusely illustrated commemorative book that was issued to mark the diamond jubilee of the ‘New School’ at Rathcoyle. This milestone was used as a focal point to highlight the history of education in the area from the time of the hedge schools to 2011. The book was published locally in a special limited edition of 500 copies and was printed by the firm of one of the past pupils who ‘crossed the Derreen’ in 1961.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Introduction / Sean Byrne – Acknowledgements / Sean Byrne – Foreword / Triona Byrne, Principal — A message from the Chairman of the Board of Management / Jim Whelan — Rathcoyle National School Boards of Management — Rathcoyle National School Today and Tomorrow / Triona Byrne — The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine — The Hedge Schools / Pay Schools: The School Buildings — Subjects Taught — Extracts from Diocesan Report 1824: Rathdangan; Ballinguile; Carricknamiel — The Established Church Schools: Killamoate; Tourboy — Moses Walsh’s Schoolhouse — Rathcoyle National Schools (The old school) — The National School System — The Famine and its aftermath — Payment by results — The ‘Masters’ Byrne — Drury’s Height to Kate’s Cottage by former pupil of the 1950’s — Hugh and Rose Byrne — The Primary Certificate — Christian Doctrine — Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Rathcoyle School 12.06.2011 / Peadar C. Ó’Cuilinn — Early Days Gallery — The New School May 1961 — 1960s Gallery — Askinagap’s National School Amalgamation with Rathcoyle School — Brian Graham — My School Memories / Catherine Coogan (neé Byrne) — The 1960s: recollection of schooldays in Rathcoyle / Simon Byrne — The Rathcoyle Tea Bucket / Mary Kelly (neé Lawler) 1961-1968 — 1970s Gallery — The 1970s: Rathcoyle school memories / Ann Whelan — From Talbotstown to Rathcoyle / Brian Graham — The Lee Cup / Brian Graham — The 1980s: Memories / Nicolette Van der Wel and Teresa Byrne — 1980s Gallery — Memories of Rathcoyle National School / Niall Harmon 1982-1990 – The 1990s: My Memories of Rathcoyle National School / Sean O’Neill — 1990s Gallery – The 1990s: Rathcoyle National School / Ciara Ní Bhroin – Retirement / Brian Graham — The 2000s: Rathcoyle National School / Shane O’Toole — My time at Rathcoyle National School / Bríd Lambert — 2000s Gallery — Caretakers / Board of Management / Chaplain — Teaching Staff Rathcoyle National School 1961-2011 — Teachers 1961-2011 Gallery — The Future.

Extra #1: Includes several photograph galleries showing school classes, school activities and school personnel over the years.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Seventh Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© WWHS

Full title: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 7, 2013

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

Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 120p

When Published: 2013

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

About: The seventh publication of a set of articles on aspects of West Wicklow history. This issue contains articles featuring locations from Coolattin to Croatia. It even strays into east Wicklow with an article on Charles Stewart Parnell and his times by Mary Bergin. However, the major article runs to almost a quarter of the entire publication and is a substantial essay, by Dunlavin native Chris Lawlor, on Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne.

ID number(s): 0790-1739

Contents: Preface from the Chairman — Ramblings of the Secretary — A man of integrity? The varying roles of Robert Chaloner, Earl Fitzwilliam’s land-agent during Black ‘47 / Fidelma Byrne — Contextualising a chieftain’s career: the case of Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne / Chris Lawlor – Wicklow Farm Labourers: a facet of the 1880s Land War / Pádraig G. Lane — The RIC and the IRA in Wicklow’s War of Independence / Kevin Cullen — Constable James Stephen Cunningham and his family / Shay Cunningham — Some facts about the activities of Mark Forstall in Croatia / Luka Vukusic – Scurlock’s Graveyard / Brian McCabe — The annual inspections of the Dublin & Blessington Steam Tramway Company in 1912 and 1913 / James Scannell — Donard’s New Church, 1925 [from the Leinster Leader Saturday, 18^th July, 1925] — The Wicklow landlord who held sway over the British Empire: Parnell and his times / Mary Bergin — Raids, robberies and attacks: West Wicklow during the Civil War / Jason Lawlor.

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.

The Worst of Times

© The Publisher

Full title: The Curse of Reason: the Great Irish Famine.

Creator / Author: Enda Delaney

Item Type / Page count: Book / 293p

When Published: 2012

Publisher / Place of Publication: Gill & Macmillan / Hume Avenue, Park West, Dublin 12.

About: A history of the Irish Famine that looks at the social, economic and political dimensions of the event. It achieves this via the mechanism of examining the contemporary written testimonies of four important figures: Archbishop John MacHale, John Mitchel, Elizabeth Smith and Charles E. Trevelyan.

ID number(s): 9780717154159 / 9780717160105

Chapters: Preface — Acknowledgements — Prologue: the land of the dead — [Part I. Before the Famine] Encounters — Land and people — Politics and power — [Part II. That Coming Storm] Spectre of famine — Peel’s brimstone — [Part III. Into the Abyss] A starving nation — The fearful reality — Property and poverty — [Part IV. Legacies] Victoria’s subjects — Exiles — Epilogue: the death of Martin Collins — Notes — Bibliographical Note — References — Index.

WW Connection #1: Elizabeth Smith lived in Baltyboys House in West Wicklow. Her observations on the Famine relate to this locality.

Extra #1: includes photographs of Elizabeth Smith and her Scottish birthplace and residence.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #4: The paperback edition was published in 2014, under the title ‘The Great Irish Famine: a history in four lives’ (ID number 9780717160105).