In her illustrated talk Judy will present a fascinating insight into the working communications in Enniskerry and the Dargle valley during the 19th century. Entrusted some time ago with a copy of a diary written by a Powerscourt curate in the late 1800s she learned much about life in the area at that time. More…
Powerscourt Parochial Records
The website of Jenny Self, familiar to many viewers of this site, seems to have disappeared. It was a treasure trove as it documented her hard work in transcribing several parish records. While we hope it returns, in the interest of those who used it regularly, I have posted the Powerscourt records from that website…
Greystones Festival of History Weekend 26-28 Sept
Greystones Archaeological and Historical Society, in association with the La Touche Legacy Committee, is hosting a Festival of History Weekend at Charlesland Golf and Country Club, Greystones, Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September. The event will open on Friday afternoon at 4pm, with a celebration – through a discussion of shared literary links – of…
Remembering Patsy Sheehan
Patsy Sheehan was from Monastery, Enniskerry. She worked at the Wayside Cafe for Mrs Windsor for many years. Patsy was fostered from St Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home with Frances Patterson at an early age by Bride Rafferty and they lived at 3 Shamrock Cottage in Monastery, Enniskerry. Patsy passed away on 15 July 2014 aged 81,…
An Irish composer and World War I
The current commemoration of the First World War brings the composers of the time and music that was inspired by the war into focus. When the war started the Irish composer Ina Boyle (1889-1967) was 25 years of age. Some of the works that she composed between 1914 and 1918 reflect the influence of events…
HERITAGE WEEK: Village Walking tour: Tues 26th Aug
Next week is Heritage Week, and on Tuesday evening, I will be giving my walking tour of the village. Meet at 6.30 pm sharp at the Town Clock in Enniskerry. the walking tour lasts about 1 hour, but feel free to come and go as you please. There is no need to register— just turn…
Follow the history of Powerscourt House, Gardens, & Estate
As part of a new project documenting the history of Powerscourt, a sub-site of the Enniskerry History website is now live. It aims to focus on the history of Powerscourt estate, which I have been researching for several years. Over this series of posts (target: 100!) I aim to retell the story of Powerscourt – the…
Unveiling of Bray War Memorial by Lord Powerscourt, 1923
One of the first war memorials in the Free State was unveiled in 1923 by Lord Powerscourt at Bray. The memorial—a Celtic cross made from Tullamore limestone on a plinth of Wicklow granite—was designed by Sir Thomas Manley Deane and constructed by architectural sculptors Charles Harrison and Sons of Great Brunswick St. It lists the…
Wicklow World War 1 War Dead Memorial (Invitation)
An unveiling of a memorial will take place at 5 – 6 pm Thursday 18th September 2014 at Woodenbridge, Co. Wicklow. The Memorial will consist of 15 granite pillars listing the names of natives and residents of County Wicklow who died directly or indirectly as a result of the war. It will be located alongside the…
George Telford, Enniskerry Merchant
In 1892, London’s Commercial Gazette reported an agreement reached by George Telford & Son, an Enniskerry grocer and general merchant to pay Andrew Byrne of Quinsborough Road, Bray, also a merchant. Evidently he had fallen behind in his bills. But who was George Telford? The 1901 Census lists George Telford, then aged 66, as a retired grocer…
Sale of Contents at Sea View (Kilgarron House) July 1877
This large advertisement was place in the Irish Times, July 1877. It details an auction taking place at Sea View (now Kilgarron House) owing to the fact that George Posnett, Esq was moving to a new residence. It’s interesting to note that among the large variety of furniture and other wares, there was a pretty…
Larry’s Apprenticeship: An Enniskerry story from 1872
With thanks to Úna Wogan, who found this in the County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser – a Welsh newspaper – from 21 Dec 1872. Úna says that she “found the index to the authors that contributed to the annual and “Larry’s Apprenticeship” was written by Isabella Banks or her pen name, Mrs G Linnaeus Banks. Although it’s a piece of…
Reverse the Closure of Wicklow County Library Local Studies Section
It has been announced that Wicklow County Council have decided to close the Local Studies section in Ballywaltrim Library, Bray due to staff shortages from next Monday June 30th. This is a severely short-sighted decision. As anyone who has visited the Local Studies section will know, this is an extremely valuable resource. The Local Studies…
History Society Talks May 6th and 8th
Tuesday May 6th: Kilmacanogue History Society, Glenview Hotel, 8.30 pm Do the Irish Speak English? by Terry Dolan [details] Thursday 8th May: Enniskerry Historical Society, Powerscourt Arms Hotel, 8.30 pm A look at Enniskerry in 1914, Jim Scanell
Buckley’s Jaunting Car Between Enniskerry and Dublin
The Jaunting Car was described by the Dublin Penny Journal in 1832: This is, properly, an Irish machine. The JAUNTING CAR is almost peculiar to our island. A Scotchman or an English- man on first landing at Dublin or at Kingstown is struck with this peculiarity; but they soon learn to relish so agreeable and handsome…
“Enniskerry” compilation is now free on Google Books
Last year “Enniskerry: Archives, Notes, & Stories from the Village” was published. The book was a compilation of articles from the website and other journal articles. It’s almost sold out of the second run, and as there won’t be another print run, I’ve put the entire book up on Google books. You can view it…
Powerscourt Tenant Names from 1840s
Declarations of tenant loyalty were common in the nineteenth century. These would usually be issued on the marriage of the landlord, the birth of a child (especially an heir) or some other significant life event. A declaration by tenants to Lady Powerscourt surfaced recently, and while declarations are not unusual, this one is particularly interesting…
Talk at Enniskerry History Society Thurs 13th March
I’ll be talking at Enniskerry History Society on Thursday 13th March on the topic of my new book. It will detail some of the work I’ve being doing on schools in Wicklow that were developed prior to the development of the National School system in 1831, and in particular the considerable local efforts to build schools…
Whites of Parknasillogue in the 1930’s
Call for any information on Whites of Parknasillogue in the 1930’s. They may have lived in Parknasilla House. If you have any knowledge of this family, do let us know in the comments.
Education in Wicklow: Forthcoming Talk at Greystones, 20 Feb
On Thursday 20th February 2014, I am very honoured to be giving a talk at Greystones Archaeological and History Society. The talk title is: Education in Wicklow: From Parish Schools to National Schools. It will detail some of the work I’ve being doing over the last year on schools in Wicklow that were developed prior…