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

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

The High Road from Rathfarnham to Aghavannagh

© The Publisher

Full title: The Wicklow Military Road: history and topography

Creator / Author: Michael Fewer

Item Type / Page count: Book / 216pp

When Published: 2007

Publisher / Place of Publication: Ashfield Press / Dubin, Ireland

About: The Military Road runs the length the Wicklow Mountains linking Rathfarnham to Aghavannagh. It was constructed by the British Authorities during the first decade of the nineteenth-century in response to the 1798 Rebellion and to help them curb the activities of Michael Dwyer and like-minded rebels. This book gives a history of the road together with its associated natural and local history.  

ID number(s): 9781901658668

Contents: Acknowledgements — Introduction — The Origins of the Wicklow Military Road — The Petition for a Military Road in Wicklow — The Military Road from Rathfarnham Village to Billy’s Bridge — The Military Road from Billy’s Bridge to Killakee — From Killakee to Glencree — Glencree — Glencree to the Sally Gap – The Sally Gap to Laragh — Laragh to Aghavannagh — Epilogue — Bibliography — Index.

Extra #1: Illustrated throughout with maps and photographs.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

The Memories of Séamus Balfe

© John Hussey

Full title: Another world: hill farming in the Wicklow Mountains: Séamus Balfe’s memories of Lackan, Kylebeg and Ballynultagh

Creator / Author: John Hussey

Item Type / Page count: Book / 107p

When Published: 2019

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

About: If this book came out in a hardback edition it might be known as a ‘coffee-table’ book, given its size and format (21 x 30 cm). It is a handsome presentation of the recollections of Séamus Balfe on social and farming life in the uplands of West Wicklow. The book arose out of a series of interviews that John Hussey conducted with Séamus Balfe between 2006 and 2019 and this end result perfectly preserves memories of a way of life that will disappear all too soon.

ID number(s): 9781913108182

Contents: Introduction – Life around Lackan in the early 1940’s – Shops and Traders – Escapades in Dublin — Entertainment — Hill-farming at Lackan and Kylebeg — Fairs, marts and droving – Ballynultagh: a forgotten place — Wicklow houses — Illnesses, doctors and death — Easing off and easing out.

Extra #1: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #2: Includes maps and photographs.

Extra #3: Link to John Hussey’s page on Academia.edu

Signposts for the Spirit

Cover by: Padruig McFarlane-Barrow

Full title: Glendalough: a Celtic soul journey

Creator / Author: Michael Rodgers and Gill McCarthy, illustrated by Padruig McFarlane-Barrow

Item Type / Page count: Booklet / 94p

When Published: 2003

Publisher / Place of Publication: Ciúnas Books / Tearmann Centre, Brockagh, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

About: This is a guidebook with a difference. As well as taking the reader on a tour of the monastic site of Glendalough and its environs, it encourages reflection and spiritual awareness. The authors are involved in the nearby Tearmann Spirituality Centre and this book is the third iteration of what started out as a booklet given to people as a souvenir of their visit to the homeplace of St. Kevin.

ID number(s): 0954463900

Contents: Annunciation [poem] / Pauline Corcoran — Preface — Map — Some important dates in the story of Glendalough – Introduction — Pilgrimage — The story of Kevin — Trinity Church – The Green Road: a nature walk – The monastery of St. Saviour — St. Kevin’s Well — The monastic City — The road to the desert – The desert of St. Kevin — St. Kevin’s Cell — Reefert Church — A walk in the hills – The Caher and lakeshore – A walk to St. Mary’s Church — Conclusion — Reading list.

WW Connection #1: Co-author Gill McCarthy resides in Shillelagh in South West Wicklow.

WW Connection #2: Co-author Michael Rodgers is a member of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

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

Extra #3: Visit the website of Tearmann Spirituality Centre

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.

Kippure Mountain – geology, resources and social history [Reblog]

About: This is an entry from the blog of South Dublin Libraries Local Studies which was posted on May 20th, 2020. It relates to a thesis, authored by Geraldine Worth, with the title ‘Kippure Mountain – geology, resources and social history. Kippure straddles the border between Dublin and Wicklow, but its highest point is firmly within Wicklow. The blog helpfully provides links to the full text of the thesis.

South Dublin Libraries Local Studies

To read this thesis please follow the links below.

Part 1 – Kippure Mountain all chapters-p1-p19

Part 2 – Kippure Mountain all chapters-p20-p34

Part 3 – Kippure Mountain all chapters-p35-p63

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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.

Historical Highlights of the Wicklow Highlands

© The Publisher

Full title: A Social History of the Wicklow Uplands

Creator / Author: Brian F. Gurrin

Item Type / Page count: Book / 102p

When Published: 2006

Publisher / Place of Publication: The National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government / Dublin

About: Today, the area regarded as the Wicklow Uplands is mostly included within the Wicklow Mountains National Park. While permanent inhabitants of this area may be as rare as the Abominable Snowman, there is nonetheless a rich social history story to be told. This ranges from the prehistoric period through to the centuries of active resistance to English rule. This study of the history and heritage of the Wicklow Uplands was undertaken at the request of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Eastern Division).

ID number(s): 0755716930

Contents: Figures and Tables – Abbreviations – The Author – Acknowledgements – Ice Sculptures – Wicklow’s Earliest Inhabitants – Early Human Sculptors – Gaeil is Gaill – War and Peace – New Times, and a New County – From Restoration to Union: The Restoration; The Late Seventeenth Century; The Protestant Ascendancy – War, and a New County – Final Thoughts – References – Bibliography.

Extra #1: Includes numerous illustrations, 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 Wicklow Mountains National Park website.