The Story of the Liffey Scheme

© The Publisher

Full title: 50 Years on the Liffey: a history of hydro-electric power on the River Liffey

Creator / Author: Liam Kenny (editor)

Item Type / Page count: Book / 87p

When Published: October, 1994

Publisher / Place of Publication: ESB ’50 Years on the Liffey’, Commitee, / ESB Turlough Hill, Co. Wicklow

About: Commemorating half a century of power generation from the waters of the Liffey, this book details the history and operation of the dams, reservoirs and power stations that make up the Liffey Scheme. The editor draws on the memories of several former ESB employees who were directly involved in what one of the major infrastructure projects of 1930’s-1940’s Ireland.

ID number(s): 0952456206

Contents: Foreword — Preface — Editor’s Note / Liam Kenny – Of Electricity, Water and Boats ‘with coloured sails and dipping oars’ – Pollaphuca Long Favoured but Loses Out to Ardnacrusha – ESB and Dublin Corporation Join Forces – Liffey Scheme Electrifies Dáil Eireann – Compensation Controversy : Dublin’s Gain but Wicklow’s Loss – Stirring the ‘Puca’ from his Lair: Construction 1937-1947 – Strikes and Accidents: the Men who Poured the Concrete and Bent the Metal – Swastikas Over Ballymore: Michael Murphy’s Memories – Born and Reared on the Riverside Jim Graham Could not Escape From the Liffey – Wicklow Water Refreshes a Thirsty City – Nature Could Hardly Have Done Better: Environment, Recreation and Amenity – The Pollaphuca Lakes: a Second Coming – Slide Rules. Linen and India Ink – Dam Engineering: Winning the Battle of Underground Physics – Pollaphuca: the Future – Notes on Sources – Appendix: Turlough Hill Staff 1994 (including Liffey Stations) – Appendix: ’50 Years on the Liffey’ Commitee – From Then Till Now [poem] / Anon.

WW Connection #1: Apart from the content, the cover design is by Eamon Sinnott, a Hollywood native. Eamon also contributed to the layout, photographic editing, and design of the book.

Extra #1: Includes thirty-four black and white photographs, plus map and plan.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

History-makers in the Mountains

© Currach Books
(cover Alba Esteban)

Full title (1): The Winter Escape of the Ulster Princes

Full title (2): Vanquished by a New Road

Creator / Author: John G. O’Dwyer

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapters / 12p & 14p

When Published: 2019

Publisher / Place of Publication: Currach Books / 23 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

Parent Publication [book]: Wild Stories from the Irish Uplands / by John G. O’Dwyer / 190pp

About: This book recounts escapades, adventures and heroic deeds that have taken place in the hills and mountains of Ireland. Two of the 14 chapters pertain to the Wicklow Mountains. Firstly, the chapter entitled ‘The Winter Escape of the Ulster Princes’ (pp43-54) tells the story of Red Hugh O’Donnell and Art O’Neill, who having escaped from Dublin Castle in 1592 fled through the Wicklow mountains to try to join up with Fiach MacHugh O’Byrne.

‘Vanquished by a New Road’ is the title of a chapter about Michael Dwyer which gives a brief account of his life. The author goes on to describe the history of the Military Road which was constructed in an effort to curb the activities of rebel forces in the Wicklow mountains,

ID number(s): 9781782189121

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

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.

Twenty-Four Grand Days Out

© The Publisher

Full title: Hill Walkers Wicklow

Creator / Author: David Herman

Item Type / Page count: Book / 72p

When Published: March 1989

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.

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.

A River Runs Through It

    © CKAS

Full title: The Upper King’s River Valley – A Short History

Creator / Author: Séamas Ó Maitiú

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 16p

Journal Information: Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, Vol. XX (Part 2), pp. 173-188

When Published: 2011

Publisher / Place of Publication: County Kildare Archaeological Society / Co. Kildare

About: Although the subtitle of this article claims this is a short history, it is nevertheless a substantial piece running to sixteen pages. The area studied runs from the headwaters of the King’s River at Lake Nahanagan to the point where it enters the Poulaphouca Reservoir at Lockstown Lower. The author focuses on seventeen townlands that are contiguous to the river and explains placename origins, history, topography, and agricultural and industrial activity. The townlands covered include: Ballinagee, Banogue, Coonmore, Garryknock, Granabeg, Granamore, Harristown, Knockalt, Knocknadruse, Johnstown, Lockstown, Lugglas Lower, Oakwood and Walterstown.

ID number(s): 0332-0782

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: The article includes two maps and a b/w photograph.

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

Extra #5: Visit the County Kildare Archaeology Society website.

From Dublin Castle to Glenmalure in 1592

© The Publisher

Full title: Kidnap and Jailbreak: Red Hugh O’Donnell (1587-92)

Creator / Author: Dermot Somers

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 33p

When Published: 2005

Publisher / Place of Publication: The O’Brien Press Ltd. / 20 Victoria Road, Dublin 6.

Parent Publication [book]: Endurance: heroic journeys in Ireland / by Dermot Somers / 255pp

About: This is the first chapter in a book which describes seven dramatic journeys taken from Irish history and mythology. In this chapter the author utilises his knowledge of mountaineering and of the outdoors to pen what could be called the definitive account of the actual flight of Red Hugh O’Donnell and Art O’Neill through the Wicklow Hills to get to Glenmalure. In 1592, they had just escaped from Dublin Castle and were planning to join up with Fiach MacHugh O’Byrne. The escape and flight is commemorated in an annual ‘Art O’Neill Walk’ / ‘Art O’Neill Challenge’, which starts at Dublin Castle and ends in Glenmalure.

ID number(s): 9780862787974 / 0862787971

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Includes two maps and some colour photographs.

Extra #4: Link to the Publisher’s website.

Mapping Our Mountains (1)

© EastWest Mapping

Full title: Wicklow Mountains West: 1:30,000 Detailed Map

Creator / Author: EastWest Mapping & Barry & Clive Dalby (Survey Team).

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

When Published: 2010

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

About: This map takes in a major portion of the mountains located in the western half of the county. It has been compiled using satellite imagery combined with foot slogging, cycling and driving through the area. It includes many old placenames and historical sites and provides an excellent panorama both for the rambler and armchair historian. Lugnaquilla is not covered by this particular map, but is available as a separate publication.

ID number(s): 9781899815285

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #2: Link to the Publisher’s website

Lake Blessington, not Blessington Lake

© Taylor & Francis

Full title: Glacial lake Blessington

Creator / Author: Anthony Farrington

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 7p

Journal Information: Irish Geography, Vol. III, No. 4, pp. 216-222

When Published: 1957

Publisher / Place of Publication: Geographical Society of Ireland, Dublin

About: This article describes a lake, notionally called Lake Blessington, which existed during the Ice Age. It would have shared some of the area of the modern Poulaphuca and was estimated to have extended 13 miles long and 3 & 3/4 miles at its widest.

ID number(s): 0075-0778

Extra #1: includes a map.

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

Extra #3: Preview the first page of the article via Taylor & Francis Online

A First Valleymount Compendium

© The Publisher

Full title: Valleymount – Facets of our Local History. Part One

Creator / Author: Fr. Richard Cantwell (editor) & contributors.

Item Type / Page count: Magazine (Complete issue) / 65p

When Published: Christmas 1990

Publisher / Place of Publication: Parish of Valleymount / Valleymount, Co. Wicklow.

About: Available for the princely sum of 50p, this is the first of four miscellanies which gathers together local history material that was first published separately in various issues of the Valleymount Parish News.  It covers areas such as Lacken, Baltyboys, Poulaphuca and Valleymount and contains a roughly 50/50 mix of church history and secular history. It is a photocopied rather than printed publication and the price and quality of reproduction reflects this.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Cover drawing: The Church — Introduction / Fr. Richard Cantwell  — Church Windows [Our four stained glass windows from the Harry Clarke studios / Fr. Richard Cantwell  – Place Names [Names of townships etc in our Parish of Valleymount] — Death of Fr. Jones [Parish Priest killed in accident] — Recipes: 19^th Century [taken from old Valleymount Register 1844-59] — Building Agreement 1862 – Blackditches Church / Fr. Richard Cantwell — Blackditches: its history and its pastors / T. M. O’Reilly — Parish Priests of Valleymount (formerly Baltyboys or Blackditches) — Guide: to Tourists and Sportsmen visiting Blessington and its Environs / T. M. O’Reilly – Advertisements of an earlier age — Tithe Applotment List 1834 / Fr. Richard Cantwell — Stations across the King’s River 1834 / Fr. Richard Cantwell — Tombstones in Baltyboys Cemetery / Brian J. Cantwell — Ballyknockan Brass and Reed Band / Kay Byrne — Lease of former Presbytery, Valleymount / Fr. Richard Cantwell — Fr. Francis O’Loughlin — Ballyknockan Granite Quarries / Mary McEvoy and Annie McEvoy – Plane crash Blackhill, 1941 / Peter Garry [?] – Lacken Church / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Baptismal Font in Lacken Church / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Baptismal Font in Valleymount Church – Lease of Lacken Church / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Parish Visitation: Blackditches and Lacken 1840 / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Lacken / Mrs. White – Presentation to Mrs Easie Gallagher / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Dedication of Lacken Church to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 1882 – The Hollywood Stone / Aiden O’Sullivan – Quaker burial ground in Baltyboys / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Rude stone monument at Lacken / Fr. Richard Cantwell – The excavation of a relig at Ballyknockan – Two ringforts submerged at Ballyknockan – Poulaphuca reservoir / Fr. Richard Cantwell – Murder at Butterhill – Presentation to Fr. Heffernan – Fr. Finney’s affairs – Items from ‘Leinster Leader’.

Extra #1: Contains illustrations and reproduction photographs throughout the text.

Extra #2: Link to the full text of this magazine via this page at blessington.jimdo.com.

**UPDATE** September 2022: This ebook does not appear to be currently available to read online.

Second Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© WWHS

Full title: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 2, 1985-1986

Creator / Author: West Wicklow Historical Society & contributors.

Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 88p

When Published: 1985 /6

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

About: The second publication of a set of articles on aspects of West Wicklow history. This issue covers locations from Blessington to Tinahely with contributions from natives of the area and other historians.

ID number(s): 0790-1739

Contents: West Wicklow Historical Society 1985 Officers — Honorary Life Members of WWHS — Ireland’s First Aviator – a Baltinglass man? — Editorial / Maria Brosnan — Main st. (South side) Baltinglass 1894 (compiled from Land Valuation Office Revision Books and Slater’s Directory of Ireland 1894) / Paul Gorry — The Society’s Report / Maeve Baker — He lived in the Slaney / Jerome Keogh — Kilcommon Church of Ireland School, Tinahely / H. B. Weir — A Cemetary Cairn at Carrig, Blessington, Co. Wicklow / Theo Clarke — Michael Dwyer in Captivity / Con Costello — ‘Kilranelagh’, a poem / James J. Doyle (1869-1916) — The Valentine Family -Part 2: The Valentines of Donard / Paul Gorry & Anthony E. S. Valentine — Some West Wicklow Memorial Inscriptions / Brian Cantwell — Merginstown School, Dunlavin / Maura Kelly — Wicklow Biographies: No.5: Mór Ó Toole / Danny Boland — Wicklow Biographies No.6: Albina Ó Molloy / Cora Crampton — Wicklow Biographies: No.7: Thomas Eustace, 1st Viscount Baltinglass / Cora Crampton — Fishing for Pearl in the King’s River / Maria Brosnan — The Greenes and Kilranelagh House / Paul Gorry — The Railway Children (the Cott Family) / Liam Kenny — Aspects of the Land War at Local Level, Phase One: 1879-1882 / Joseph Rattigan — Local Agricultural Methods c.1803 / Paul Baker — The Homes of Imaal, a poem / Jerome Keogh — Graney / Dorothy Leonard — Index to the Coolattin Estate Records, 1847-56, Part 2 / Paul Gorry — Thirty Five Years in West Wicklow (“Going to the Country”) / Rhoda Byrne — Appreciations: John Ó Donovan, Jimmy Nolan of The Wood, Joseph Morrin — Book Reviews / Joseph Rattigan and Paul Gorry — List of Members.

Extra #1: Contains black & white photographs and cover illustrations.

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 full text of this issue online via West Wicklow Historical Society website

Hat-Tip: To the West Wicklow Historical Society who have arranged for the digitisation of this issue of their Journal and its free accessibility online.