Twelfth Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© Individual Contributors

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.

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

Re-living some West Wicklow Memories

© The Publisher

Full title: Recollections from Baltinglass Hospital

Creator / Author: None stated

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 44p

When Published: 2000

Publisher / Place of Publication: Baltinglass Adult Learning Centre & Community Education / Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow]

About: This A4-size booklet was launched at a Christmas party for residents and day care regulars at Baltinglass Hospital in Decemer 2000. The local Adult Learning Centre had run a course which allowed residents and regulars to refresh their literacy and numeracy skills and this booklet reflects their stories and contributions. People from a wide area of West Wicklow are represented and each has their own unique short contribution, whether it be a memory, a story, a recipe, a joke or a poem. The booklet was not generally available outside the hospital, but copies may turn up at charity shops / jumble sales from time to time.

ID number(s): None

Contents: [Introduction 1] / Annette Mangan — [Introduction 2] / Dorothy Fox — [Introduction 3] / Evelyn Barry — Prayer for the Elderly

[Contributions] Mick Byrne Knockananna – Mattie Donegan Kiltegan – Lucy Goggins Cryhelp, Dunlavin – Seamus Dowling Blessington/Dunlavin – Kathleen Fleming Clough/Raheen, Baltinglass – Kathleen Kelly Castlesallagh, Donard – Peter O’Brien Dunlavin – Peter Burke Tuckmill/Carrigeen, Baltinglass – Lil Coogan Irongrange, Baltinglass – Johnny Donohue Tinoran, Baltinglas – Mrs. Kathleen Dillon – John Keogh Graigue, Kiltegan – Josie Salmon Tinahely/Baltinglass – Jimmy Devoy Blessington – John Whitty Moone – Dan Richardson Lacken – Jamess Graham Rathdangan – Jim Redmond — Chris Loughlin Stratford — Bridie Farrell Clough, Baltinglass – Andy Flood Grangecon – Phil Harney Granamore, Hollywood – Paddy Ryan Clonmel and Castledermot – Neil Clinton Blessington – Harriet McDonnell Tuckmill, Baltinglass – Maisie Andrews Weavers Square, Baltinglass – Kathleen Jones Baltinglass – Anne Nolan Stratford formerly Graigue, Kiltegan – Joan Kelly Blessington, Johnny Donohue Baltinglass, Josie Murphy Blessington – Beatitudes for friends of the aged [poem] / Esther Mary Walker (kindly given by Alice O’Connell Liscolman – Thought for you today [poem] / Anon — Money [poem] / T. Johnny — Joe Charles Barraderry, Kiltegan – Daisy O’Connor Kiltegan – Margaret McCann – Brigid Connaty – Mrs. Thornton.

Killing the pig – Bridie Hanaffin – Betty Norton Griffinstown, Grangecon – Going to school – Christmas – Keeping the faith / Breda Daly, Mary Behan Blessington – Ruth Finlay Davidstown, Donard – Winnie Moore Woodfield Cross, Baltinglass – Richard Kelly Knockananna – Pierce Collins Manor Kilbride – Molly O’Reilly Hollywood – Kathleen Cullen Whitestown, Stratford – Tommy Tipper – Molly Byrne Knockananna – Blood, Sweat and no Tears – Jim Carroll Blessington – John Kearney Dunlavin.

[In Remembrance] The late Mary Murray R.I.P. – The late Jimmy Cullen R.I.P. – The late Joe Garrett R.I.P. – The late Chrissie Healy R.I.P.

Extra #1: Includes black and white photographs of some of the contributors.

Extra #2: In the following year, another similar booklet was produced under the title ‘Further Recollections from Baltinglass Hospital’.

Remembering Tim Lennon 1898-1990

© The Publisher

Full title: When Yez’ Lave’ Me in Baltyboys..

Creator / Author: Mattie Lennon

Item Type / Page count: Magazine Article / 1pp

Journal Information: Ireland’s Eye Magazine, Issue 458, pp. (inside cover)

When Published: February 2019

Publisher / Place of Publication: Ireland’s Eye / 6 Dominick Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

About: A short one-page obituary of Tim Lennon, who “first saw the light over Blackhill on 17^th November, 1898” and who died in Baltinglass Hospital in March 1990. This obituary, written by his son, Mattie, was first published in the parish newsletter.  

Extra #1: Read this article online via the website of Mattie Lennon Poet, Author, Folklorist and Traditional Lyricist

Thirteenth Baltinglass Parish Review

© (cover photo Nigel Gillis)

Full title: The Review 2016: a year in the life of Baltinglass, Bigstone, Grangecon and Stratford.

Creator / Author: Compiled by the Communications Sub-Group of St. Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Council, Editorial Board: Mary Hanlon, Bernie Doogue, Renee Wall…et al.

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 98pp

When Published: 2016

Publisher / Place of Publication: St. Joseph’s Parish Baltinglass / Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow.

About: This is the thirteenth issue of an annual publication. Within its A4-sized format, it chronicles activities in the parish during the year, publishes short articles of general or historical interest and includes photographs past and present. Contemporary advertisements help to provide a snapshot of local economic activity.

ID number(s): None

Contents: A Word from the Parish Priest / Tommy Dillon – From the Editor / Mary Hanlon – The Gohery Schol of Irish Dancing perform at Disneyland Paris 2016 / Fiona Kavanagh – Bigstone National School / Mark Kavanagh and Aimee Kelly – Snapshot of life in a Greek refugee camp / Roisin Mangan – The Tea Room / Margaret Millikan – Celebrating 50 years of Martin Coleman at Quinns / Paddy O’Toole – West Wicklow Voices / Mary Hickson – Baltinglass Kayak Club – Scoil Chonglais 1916 Commemoration / Cillian Brophy – Carrigeen Montessori Retirement – Local Paralympian Ciara Staunton – Darkness into Light – Sonasámh Montessori School finds a permanent home – Charlie Byrne Soccer – The Year of Mercy / Mary Ryder – Cozy Corner Crafters – Baltinglass District Forum – Stratford National School and Grangecon National School Photo Gallery – Lalor Centre – Julia O’Neill’s visit to the G.P.O. – Our hidden hero, Mai Quaid – Baltinglass Youth Club – Refuge / Carol Coffey – Peter Keogh, R.I.P. – Stratford on Slaney National School’s Green School Journey / Debbie Frahill – Presentation to Burim – Stratford School revisited – Marie on Winning Streak / Marie O’Shea – Scintillating Scott wins European Bronze – [Photo Galleries] – Baltinglasss GAA Club – Bigstone Karate Club – Wedding Anniversaries – Grangecon Boxing Club 1978 [photo] – Weddings in Baltinglass Parish 1^st October 2015 to 30^th September 2016 – Baltinglass Further Education and Training Centre – opportunities for you in your community – Scoil Conglais Transition Year students begin their project with Tearmann Community Gardens – 1916 Celebrations in Baltinglass Hospital – Joan Colbert’s address in Baltinglass Hospital to mark the centenery of 1916 / Joan Colbert – World Day of Prayer / Aine Daly – Special olympics 2016 – Greetings – Baltinglass Men’s Shed – Active Retirement Network Ireland – Stratford  Grangecon G.A.A. Club – Four baptisms in one family / Catherine Fleming and Lena Doody-Byrne – Baptisms in Baltinglass Parish from 1st October 2015 to 1st October 2016 – – 1^st Communion and Confirmation [Photo Gallery] – Grangecon Village – How can I repay the Lord for His Goodness to me? / Sr. Brigid – Michael Russell – A wonderful year at Scoil Naomh Iosaf – Seachtar Fear an Éiri Amach [poem] / Bernie Donegan – Blessing of the animals Mass in Stratford / Elizabeth Thompson – Dúchas Project–down memory lane – Community Games – Conor O’Reilly-composer/conductor extraordinaire – Art Competition Winners –  Baltinglass Festival of Growth / Rev. Máirt Hanley – Haute Route for Nepal 2015 / Kieran Alcock – Pioneer Total Abstinance Society – Deaths in  Baltinglass Parish 1^st October 2015 to 30^th September 2016 – [Back Cover] The Pinnacle / photo by Chris Murray

Extra #1: Contains five full pages of photographs, not counting pictures included in individual articles.

Twelfth Baltinglass Parish Review

© (cover photo Nigel Gillis)

Full title: The Review 2015: a year in the life of Baltinglass, Bigstone, Grangecon and Stratford.

Creator / Author: Compiled by the Communications Sub-Group of St. Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Council, Editorial Board: Mary Hanlon, Sr. Eileen Deegan, Renee Wall…et al.

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 98pp

When Published: 2015

Publisher / Place of Publication: St. Joseph’s Parish Baltinglass / Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow.

About: This is the twelfth issue of an annual publication. Within its A4-sized format, it chronicles activities in the parish during the year, publishes short articles of general or historical interest and includes photographs past and present. Contemporary advertisements help to provide a snapshot of local economic activity.

ID number(s): None

Contents: A Word from the Parish Priest / Tommy Dillon – From the Editor / Mary Hanlon – Baltinglass Courthouse – Boy Scouts and a box of Weetabix / Kieran Fanning – International Success for Scoil Chonglais Student – Baltinglass Further Education & Training Centre – Lalor Centre – 10 Years of Tearmann Community Garden – Tearmann [poem] / Alfred Gillespie – B&B for Birds and Bugs – The Outdoor Classroom / Mary O’Keeffe – Rev. Máirt / Rev. Máirt Hanley – Community Support Worker Programme — Scoil Chonglais on a Winning Streak / Abbie Byrne — Baltinglasss Soccer Club – West Wicklow Voices – Grangecon Village – Tom Hannafin N.T., B. Ed., M.Ed – Mary Farrell Retires / Mary Farrell – The Way of the Cross / Rev. Máirt Hanley — Grangecon N.S. Golden Jubilee / Nuala O’Connell – Commemorative Plaque to Pte Michael McGuinn at Scoil Naomh Iosaf – [Photo Gallery] – Flemings Mace Mill 1984-2014 / John Fleming – Kind [poem] / A. T. – Autumn Tints 20/10/1969 [poem] / Frank Hunt – Baltinglasss Community Action Group – Yvonne Ross / Yvonne Ross – [Photo Galleries] – Baltinglasss GAA Club – Wedding Anniversaries – Leinster Junior Foursomes Champions – Weddings in Baltinglass Parish 1^st October 2014 to 30^th September 2015 [and Photo Gallery] – Baltinglass 4^th Wicklow Scout Group – Baltinglass Lions Club / Mary Ross – Fr. Tommy’s Golden Jubilee / Fintan Doyle – Stratford-on-Slaney – it’s connection to the 1916 Easter Rising / Elizabeth Thompson – Fr. John Fingleton / Frank Hunt – My Daily Creed [poem] / Anon — Baptisms in Baltinglass Parish from 1st October 2014 to 30^th September 2015 – Baltinglass Youth Club – Little Feet Créche & Pre-school: 20 years later – Jamie O’Connor – Signposts / Mary Ryder — Naíonra Bealach Chonglais 1985-2015 – Grace Makes the Leinster Rugby Team – The Presentation Sisters — Stratford / Grangecon G.A.A. – Art Competition Winners – Lourdes Through the Eyes of a Child / Cliona Kavanagh – Animal Mass in Stratford-on-Slaney [photos] – Niall Moore’s 90^th Birthday Party – Deaths in  Baltinglass Parish 1^st October 2014 to 30^th September 2015 – 1^st Communions and Confirmation [Photo Gallery].

Extra #1: Contains five full pages of photographs, not counting pictures included in individual articles.

Tenth Baltinglass Parish Review

© The Publisher

Full title: The Review 2013: a year in the life of Baltinglass, Bigstone, Grangecon and Stratford.

Creator / Author: Compiled by the Communications Sub-Group of St. Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Council, Editorial Board: Mary Hanlon, Sr. Eileen Deegan, Renee Wall…et al.

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 84pp

When Published: 2013

Publisher / Place of Publication: St. Joseph’s Parish Baltinglass / Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow.

About: This is the tenth issue of an annual publication. Within its A4-sized format, it chronicles activities in the parish during the year, publishes short articles of general or historical interest and includes photographs past and present. Contemporary advertisements help to provide a snapshot of local economic activity.

ID number(s): None

Contents: A Word from the Parish Priest / Tommy Dillon – Foreword / Mary Hanlon – Episcopal Ordination of Very Rev. Denis Nulty / Sr. Brigid – Angel of Light / Marie Halstead – Baltinglass Amateur Dramatics / Pauline Hayes – No Name Club – Baltinglass Local Training Initiative / Sandra Carroll & Pauline Hayes – Marguerite Salmon – Cillian’s Trip to Lesotho, South Africa / Cillian Burke – Wedding Snaps [Photo Gallery] – Bingo in Baltinglass / Frank Hunt – Tommy O’Connor: an appreciation – My Lovely Wicklow [poem] / John Candy – Celebrating 100 years in Education – The Lalor Centre in the Year of the Gathering / Pauline Balfe – Con Cronin’s Retirement – The Rev. Canon Mervyn A. McCullagh [obituary] — Scoil Chonglais Debs Class 2013 [photograph] – Baltinglass: a town to be proud of / Martin Blake – Remembering the Main Street Cookes / Orla O’Sullivan – Our Parish Harvest Festival – Replacing the Negative African Stereotype with the Beauty of my World / Roisin Mangan — Baltinglass Adult Learning Centre – Kiltegan’s Next Top Model / Gillian Burke – Blueboy’s Retirement / Mick Kehoe – Ten-day Trek to Annapurna Sanctuary / Declan Alcock – A.I.B Club is Family Skills Day / Theresa Dowling – Cliona and Mary’s Trip to Lourdes / Cliona Kavanagh & Mary Gohery – Guess Who? Where are they now? [Photo Gallery] – Slaney Brown [poem] / Kieran Alcock — Baltinglass Ladies G.A.A. Highlights for 2013 – Baltinglass G.A.A. – Baltinglass Juvenile G.A.A. – Doyle Family Gathering – [Photo Gallery] – Karl Furlong — [Kiddies page] – The Balloon Festival 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd June 2013 / Noel Lyons – Baltinglass Area Community Games 2013 / Liz Tyrrell – Get Vocal Choral Group / Mary Hickson – A Musical Evening in September / Colette L. Gethings – Greetings — Deaths in Baltinglass Parish 1^st October 2012 to 30^th September 2013 – Baltinglass Hospital – Memories of 2013 / Mary Ryder — Scoil Naomh Iosaf – School Athletics 2013 — Baptisms from 1st October 2012 to 30^th September 2013 — Weddings 1^st October 2012 to 30^th September 2013 —     Punchestown / Seamie Donohue — Tearmann Community Garden – Dr. Mags Coyle [obituary] / Anne O’Connell – Mid-term in New York During the Hurricane / Patricia Lalor — College Life in the War Years Part 3 / Frank Hunt – Kildare & Leighlin Pilgrimage to Notre Dame / Mary Hayes — Stratford /Grangecon G.A.A. – Confirmations, Communions [photographs] .

Extra #1: Contains five full pages of photographs, not counting pictures included in individual articles.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Timothy Clifford O’Connor R.I.P. 1913

© The Publisher

Full title: The Late Rev. Chancellor T.C. O’Connor [obituary]

Creator / Author: W.B. Wells (editor)

Item Type / Page count: Magazine Article / 1pp

Journal Information: The Church of Ireland Gazette, Volume LV, Number 1742, p. 512

When Published: June 13^th, 1913

Publisher / Place of Publication: Church of Ireland Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd., / 61 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin.

About: A one-page obituary of Rev. Timothy Clifford O’Connor. He was described as being “an uncompromising opponent of Home Rule”. Outside of the political field, he appears to have been less strident and maintained good relations with people of all denominations.

ID number(s): None

WW Connection #1: Rev. T.C. O’Connor was Curate in Blessington Parish from 1872-74, before spending nearly the next 40 years as Rector of Donaghmore and Donard Parish.

Extra #1: Includes black & white photograph.

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

Extra #3: Link to the Online Archive of Church of Ireland Gazette. As of August 2016, all issues for 1911-1923 are online. To find this particular article input the search terms “Chancellor Timothy” under the tab ‘Please Enter Your Search Below’.

Extra #4: Browse the 1901 Census entry for T.C. O’Connor in Donaghmore.

Extra #5: Browse the 1911 Census entry for T.C. O’Connor in Donaghmore.

Hat-Tip: To the Representative Church Body Library (RCBL) for making this issue available and freely accessibility online.

Third Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© WWHS

Full title: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 3, 1989

Creator / Author: West Wicklow Historical Society & contributors.

Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 96p

When Published: 1989

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

About: The third publication of a set of articles on aspects of West Wicklow history. This issue covers some of the main locations within the boundaries but also widens the area of interest to include Ballymore Eustace and Rathvilly.

ID number(s): 0790-1739

Contents: West Wicklow Historical Society 1989 Officers — Editorial / Joseph Rattigan — The Society’s Report / Maeve Baker — Appreciation: Paddy Byrne — William Gabriel Lyons — Tommy Bourne — Extracts from a Diary of 1869: a Wicklow Man Returns for a Bride / Richard Douglas — A Description of Dunlavin from Slater’s Directory, 1881 / John Lynott — Wicklow Biographies: No.8: Fiach Mac Hugh Ó Byrne / Cora Crampton — Wicklow Biographies No.9: James Eustace , 3rd Viscount Baltinglass / Cora Crampton[?] — The Famine in Wicklow, 1846-1847: Extracts from British Parliamentary Papers in the National Library of Ireland / Compiled by Maeve Baker — Irish-French Quaker Connections / Margaret P. O’Hare — Marriage in Ireland Before the Famine: Case Study of Rathvilly Parish / Susan E. Hood — Baltinglass of Yesteryear [poem] / Ben Dwyer — Tinahely Over the Centuries / Reverend Canon Henry Vaux Boake — The Hollywood Highwayman / Dorothy Leonard — Bacon Curing in Baltinglass in the Early Part of the Century / Maureen D’arcy — Ballymore Eustace : Odds and Ends of its History / Michael Dore — Grangecon : a Place Remembered / Lil Moore — Book Reviews / Joseph Rattigan — Index to the Coolattin Estate Emigration Records, 1847-58, Part 3 / Paul Gorry — List of Members.

Extra #1: Contains black & white photographs, 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: Visit the West Wicklow Historical Society website.

Death of a Broadcaster

© JCKAS

Full title: John O’Donovan [Obituary]

Creator / Author: Lena Boylan

Item Type / Page count: Journal Article / 2p

Journal Information: Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, Vol. 16(5), (1985 – 86), pp. 542-543

When Published: 1986

Publisher / Place of Publication: JCKAS / Kildare

About: A two-page obituary of the broadcaster and author John O’ Donovan who was most famous for the RTE Radio programme, ‘Dear Sir or Madam’. In writing newspaper articles, John O’Donovan used the pseudonym Andrew Marsh.

WW Connection #1: John O’Donovan was a regular and frequent visitor to West Wicklow and owned a house in the Valleymount area.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Visit the County Kildare Archaeology Society website.

Extra #4: 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.