“As Odd a Group of Characters As We Have Met For a Long Time”

© The Publishers

Full title: Vicious Circle: the case of the missing Irish Crown Jewels

Creator / Author: Francis Bamford & Viola Bankes

Item Type / Page count: Book / 212pp

When Published: 1965

Publisher / Place of Publication: Max Parrish / 1 – 5 Portpool Lane, London EC1

About: The title of this posting is taken from the summary on the dust-jacket of the book pictured above. Equally apt is the quote from the London Mail (1912) also on the same dust-jacket: “Will anyone ever have the courage to tell the whole truth about this wretched business?”. The Irish Crown Jewels were kept by the Office of Arms in Dublin Castle and they were last seen on 11^th June 1907, subsequently presumed stolen, and remain unaccounted for. This book was the first full account of the affair to be published. However, the definitive answer to the mystery still remains elusive today.

ID number(s): None

Contents: Foreword — 1. The Disappearance — 2. The Investigation — 3. The Interlude — 4. The Inquiry — 5. The Aftermath — Postscript — Index.

WW Connection #1: The custodian of the Irish Crown Jewels at the time of their disappearance was Sir Arthur Vicars, who had links with Grangecon in West Wicklow. He was a half-brother of Pierce (O’) Mahony of Grangecon Demesne and would have stayed there regularly. Afterwards, Pierce O’Mahony took up a spirited campaign to save Vicars from dismissal, but was unsuccessful. Vicars was Hon. Secretary to the County Kildare Archaeological Society from its inception in 1891 until 1920. For the years 1909-1920, his address is listed as Grange Con, although this may have been for correspondence purposes. He also contributed an article ‘Notes on Grange Con, Co.Wicklow’ to the January 1902 issue of the Society’s Journal.

WW Connection #2: One of the employees in the Office of Arms was Pierce Gun Mahony, son of Pierce Mahony (above) and nephew of Sir Arthur Vicars. He was the only person to keep his job following the controversy.

WW Connection #3: One of the chief suspects in the disappearance of the jewels was Frank Shackleton, brother of explorer Ernest whose family had connections with nearby Kilkea and Ballitore.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Browse the 1901 Census entry for Mahony Family in Grangecon.

Extra #4: Browse the 1911 Census entry for Mahony Family in Grangecon.

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

A Royal Scandal Averted

© The Publisher

Full title: Scandal & Betrayal: Shackleton and the Irish Crown Jewels

Creator / Author: John Cafferky and Kevin Hannafin

Item Type / Page count: Book / 319pp

When Published: 2002

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

About: The theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle in 1907 continues to fascinate, not least because of the official suppression and/or disappearance of vital evidence. In this well-researched book, the authors detail the highly-charged politics of the time and explain how the jewels could have disappeared from one of the most high-security locations in the country. They also present a convincing theory of the reason for the jewels removal and why they may still be in existence. During the course of their research, the authors were even confronted with an elaborate hoax which they succeeded in disproving.

ID number(s): 1903464250

Contents: List of Illustrations — Who’s Who — Preface — The Rise and Fall of Arthur Vicars — Ireland: A Land of Discontent — Sir Antony Patrick MacDonnell and Devolution — The Aberdeens Return to Ireland — Homosexuality Within the Royal Household — The King’s Arrival — The Kane Report — Infernal Telegrams — `I’ll have no Scandal’ — The Government Procrastinates — Enter The O’Mahony – Champion of Causes — MacDonnell Takes Charge — The Inquiry — Tidying Up — Conclusion — Epilogue: Our Initital Investigation.

Appendix I Last Will and Testament of Sir Arthur Vicars — Appendix II Author’s Comment on Sir Arthur’s Will — Appendix III Inspector Lowe’s Report — Appendix IV Statement of Sir Arthur Vicars — Appendix V Supplementary Statement of Sir Arthur Vicars — Appendix VI Statutes of the Order of St. Patrick, Concerning the Custodianship of the Insignia — Appendix VII Letter from The O’Mahony to Augustine Birrell, the Chief Secretary for Ireland – June 1908 — Appendix VIII Letter from `The O’Mahony’ to Augustine Birrell, the Chief Secretary for Ireland – July 1913 — Appendix IX The Wyndham/MacDonnell Correspondence — Appendix X Estimates from Schedule submitted by Sir Arthur Regarding the Safe — Notes — Bibliography.

WW Connection #1: The custodian of the Irish Crown Jewels at the time of their disappearance was Sir Arthur Vicars, who had links with Grangecon in West Wicklow. He was a half-brother of Pierce (O’) Mahony (The O’Mahony) of Grangecon Demesne and would have stayed there regularly. Afterwards, Pierce O’Mahony took up a spirited campaign to save Vicars from dismissal, but was unsuccessful. Vicars was Hon. Secretary to the County Kildare Archaeological Society from its inception in 1891 until 1920. For the years 1909-1920, his address is listed as Grange Con, although this may have been for correspondence purposes. He also contributed an article ‘Notes on Grange Con, Co.Wicklow’ to the January 1902 issue of the Society’s Journal.

WW Connection #2: One of the employees in the Office of Arms was Pierce Gun Mahony, son of Pierce Mahony (above) and nephew of Sir Arthur Vicars. He was the only person to keep his job following the controversy.

WW Connection #3: One of the chief suspects in the disappearance of the jewels was Frank Shackleton, brother of explorer Ernest whose family had connections with nearby Kilkea and Ballitore.

Extra #1: Includes eight pages of photographs.

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 Mahony Family in Grangecon.

Extra #5: Browse the 1911 Census entry for Mahony Family in Grangecon.

Eleventh Collection of Articles on West Wicklow History

© Individual Contributors

Full title: Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society: Number 11, 2021-22

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

Item Type / Page count: Journal (Complete issue) / 168p

When Published: 2021

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

About: This is the eleventh publication of the now biennial journal. It includes a very broad set of topics indeed. Subjects covered include: The O’Tooles in the 16^th century, Ladies’ Day in Punchestown, A Wicklow man in India, The seasonal movement of livestock in the Wicklow mountains, A murder from 1916 and A traditional recipe for oatmeal biscuits, to name but a few. The most extensive article in this issue is by Cora Crampton. Running to 26 pages it tells of John & Jennie Wyse Power, a real-life couple who featured in Joyce’s Ulysses.  

ID number(s): 0790-1739

Contents: Foreword from the Chairman / John A. O’Toole — Ramblings of the Secretary / Donal McDonnell — Editor’s Preface / Chris Lawlor — Ladies’ Day at Punchestown: 150 years of Festival Fashion / Dr. Emma Lyons — The O’Tooles of Imail in the sixteenth-century / Brendan Corrigan — ‘Home Rule is throwing many a shadow now’: Wicklow women, Unionism and the Women’s Declaration of 1912 / Rosemary Raughter — ‘A Celt, A Catholic and a Peasant’- A Wicklow man in India / Andrew Keating — John and Jennie Wyse Power – the real-life couple featured in James Joyce’s Ulysses  / Cora Crampton — The Rev. Ogle Moore of Manor Kilbride / Jim Corley — The beautiful woman in the long red cloak / Ita Roddy — Winter-transhumance routes between the Wicklow Mountains and the surrounding lowlands / John Hussey — Murder Most Foul / Maura Murphy Gibson – Some aspects of County Wicklow’s railway history / James Scannell — Back to Burgage / Niamh McCabe & Brian McCabe — The Irish language influence in West Wicklow placenames / John Glennon — Oatmeal biscuits / Sarah Gillespie — Divided loyalties in Kildare: truce, treaty and drift to Civil War / Michael Murphy —Baltinglass Bridewell and Courthouse [Part Two] / Chris Lawlor.

Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with black & white photographs, maps, drawings and graphs.

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.

IN MEMORIAM Donal McDonnell (Hon. Secretary of WWHS and joint-editor of this journal) R.I.P

Grangecon Link to the Irish Crown Jewels

© The Publisher

Full title: The Stealing of the Irish Crown Jewels: an unsolved crime

Creator / Author: Myles Dungan

Item Type / Page count: Book / 301pp

When Published: 2003

Publisher / Place of Publication: Town House Dublin / Trinity House, Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

About: The so-called Irish Crown Jewels were presented to the Order of St. Patrick by King William IV in 1831 and were worn on ceremonial occasions by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. They were kept by the Office of Arms in Dublin Castle. They were last seen on 11^th June 1907 and, presumably having been stolen, remain missing to this day. This book looks at how the jewels could have disappeared from one of the most high-security locations in the country.

ID number(s): 9781860591822

Contents: Acknowledgements — Prologue — Dramatis Personae — [Act One Theft and Investigation] The Safe — Hark the Heralds — The Theft — Raising Kane — ‘Star Chamber’ — Whispers — [Act Two The Scapegoat] The Commission Sits — Vicars Bows Out — [Act Three Denouement] Death and Misadventure – Aftermath — [Epilogue] Who Stole the Irish Crown Jewels? — A Note on Sources — Timeline — Index.

WW Connection #1: The custodian of the Irish Crown Jewels at the time of their disappearance was Sir Arthur Vicars, who had links with Grangecon in West Wicklow. He was a half-brother of Pierce (O’) Mahony of Grangecon Demesne and would have stayed there regularly. Afterwards, Pierce O’Mahony took up a spirited campaign to save Vicars from dismissal, but was unsuccessful. Vicars was Hon. Secretary to the County Kildare Archaeological Society from its inception in 1891 until 1920. For the years 1909-1920, his address is listed as Grange Con, although this may have been for correspondence purposes. He also contributed an article ‘Notes on Grange Con, Co.Wicklow’ to the January 1902 issue of the Society’s Journal.

WW Connection #2: One of the employees in the Office of Arms was Pierce Gun Mahony, son of Pierce Mahony (above) and nephew of Sir Arthur Vicars. He was the only person to keep his job following the controversy.

WW Connection #3: One of the chief suspects in the disappearance of the jewels was Frank Shackleton, brother of explorer Ernest whose family had connections with nearby Kilkea and Ballitore.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Browse the 1901 Census entry for Mahony Family in Grangecon.

Extra #4: Browse the 1911 Census entry for Mahony Family in Grangecon.

Killed in the Line of Duty

© The Publisher

Full title: Garda Patrick O’Halloran

Creator / Author: Colm Wallace

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 15pp

When Published: 2017

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

Parent Publication [book]: The Fallen: Gardaí killed in service 1922-1949 / by Colm Wallace / 255pp

About: During an attempted bank robbery in Baltinglass in 1924, Garda Patrick O’Halloran was fatally injured. This chapter (pp.37-51), taken from a book detailing Gardaí killed in the line of duty 1922-1949, describes the circumstances of the incident. Following a subsequent trial, which is also described in this chapter, one Felix Mc Mullen was convicted of the murder of Garda O’Halloran and was hanged for the crime.

ID number(s): 9780750983761

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.

Guilty, Presumed?

© The Publisher

Full title: Larry Murphy [Book Chapter]

Creator / Author: Alan Bailey

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 32p

When Published: 2014

Publisher / Place of Publication: Liberties Press / 140 Terenure Road North, Dublin 6W.

Parent Publication [book]: Missing, Presumed / by Alan Bailey / 296pp

About: Larry Murphy was jailed for a brutal rape and assault which took place in the Kildare / West Wicklow area in February 2000. This book chapter provides details of the crime and also looks at Larry Murphy’s time in prison and at his psychological profile. This psychological profile would appear to make him a suspect in at least some of the cases of fifteen women who disappeared over a time span of twenty years. The author is a former detective and a trained CSI examiner, with a diploma in Criminology.

ID number(s): 9781909718852

WW Connection #1: Larry Murphy was born in Stratford-on-Slaney and lived in Baltinglass in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Hanged on This Day in 1924

© The Publisher

Full title: Felix McMullen, Wicklow

Creator / Author: Tim Carey

Item Type / Page count: Book Chapter / 11pp

When Published: 2013

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

Parent Publication [book]: Hanged for murder: Irish State executions / by Tim Carey / 280pp

About: On this day, August 1^st, 1924 Felix Mc Mullen was hanged. It transpired that during an attempted bank robbery in Baltinglass in 1924, Garda Patrick O’Halloran was fatally injured. He was just the third member of the Garda Síochána to die in the line of duty. This short chapter briefly outlines the incident and the subsequent trial and conviction of Felix Mc Mullen for murder.

ID number(s): 9781848891869

Contents The Bank Raid – Hunt for the Killers – The First Trial – Retrial – Appeal.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Instant Expertise on All Things Wicklow!

© The Publisher

Full title: The Little Book of Wicklow

Creator / Author: Chris Lawlor

Item Type / Page count: Book / 142pp

When Published: 2014

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

About: This recently launched book is a miscellany of short pieces on aspects of Wicklow’s history, personalities, social life and culture. It is a gentle introduction to the youngest county in Ireland and can be dipped in and out of at will.

ID number(s): 9781845888565

Contents: Introduction — Monastic Wicklow — Wicklow’s Great Houses — Wicklow Rebels — Crime and Punishment: Tales from Wicklow’s Dark Side — Wicked Wicklow Women — Poor Parnell: Wicklow’s Wronged Leader? — Trial and Retribution: The Only Black and Tan Executed in Ireland — The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921: The Wicklow Connection — Wicklow on the Silver Screen — Wicklow’s Historic Towns.

WW Connection #1: Apart from relevant subject matter, the author is a native of Dunlavin.

Extra #1: Includes several 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 author’s website at https://www.chrislawlor.ie/

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.