The books · County Wicklow

A guide to Bray and the picturesque scenery in its vicinity, Co. Wicklow

Anonymous · 1884 · travel and topography

17 stories placed on the map Filled marks are placed exactly; rings are placed about a townland or town.

Read the copy these stories were drawn from on the Internet Archive.

17
stories drawn from it
17
placed on the map
2
counties: Wicklow, Dublin
1,259
words in the passages on this page

The stories, best first

17 in all

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

  1. Avondale, seat of Charles Stewart Parnell

    Avondale · townland · Wicklow

    The mansion of Avondale, seat of Mr. Charles S. Parnell, M.P., is passed on the right when entering the Vale of Ovoca by train from Rathdrum.

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    The Yale of Ovoca. — The mansion of Avondale, the seat of Mr. Charles S. Parnell, M.P., is passed on the right, and then appear the turrets of

    Castle Howard. — “ The Meeting of the Waters” is soon approached, where the Avonbeg unites with the Avonmore, and flows down the vale under the •name of the Ovoca, amid projecting rocks, o’er-

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Avondale, the mansion that was the seat of Charles Stewart Parnell, member of Parliament. When travellers entered the Vale of Ovoca by train from Rathdrum, they would pass the house and then see the turrets of Castle Howard. Soon after came the Meeting of the Waters, where the Avonbeg joins the Avonmore and flows on as the Ovoca among projecting rocks.

  2. The Meeting of the Waters, celebrated by Moore's poem

    Meeting of the Waters · population centre · Wicklow

    At the Meeting of the Waters, where the Avonbeg unites with the Avonmore to form the Ovoca, the national poet Thomas Moore sang of the vale being the sweetest in the world.

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    “ There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet As the vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet ;

    Oh ! the last rays of feeling and life must depart Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart.”

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up near Meeting of the Waters in Wicklow, where the Avonbeg and the Avonmore join to form the Ovoca. Thomas Moore, Ireland's national poet, sang of this valley as the sweetest in the world. His words: "There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet as the vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet."

  3. Tinnehinch House purchased for Henry Grattan by Irish Parliament

    near Tinnehinch · townland · Wicklow

    Tinnehinch House, near Powerscourt on the Dargle, was purchased by the Irish Parliament for the patriot and orator Henry Grattan, so that he might end his laborious life in peace. It remains the property of his descendants.

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    Tinnehinch House. — Half a mile from Powerscourt, on the Dargle — is the property of the descendants of the patriot and orator, Henry Grattan. The Irish Parliament, appreciating the noble exertions of this wonderful man, purchased the property for him, in order that he might end in peace a life which had been so laborious.

    CHARLEVILLE, GLENCREE, ETC.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  4. Powerscourt Castle taken by O'Byrnes and O'Tooles

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1509–1608

    In the reign of Henry VIII, Powerscourt Castle was taken by the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles of Wicklow, then retaken by the English and given to the Talbots. The Kavanaghs later obtained possession in 1556, before it passed to Sir R. Wingfield in 1608.

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    In the reign of Henry VIII. the castle was taken by the fierce O’Byrnes and O’Tooles of Wicklow, and being retaken by the English, was conferred upon the Talbots. Another Irish clan, the Kavanaghs, obtained possession of it in 1556. In 1608 the property was given by James I. to Sir R. Wingfield, wdio was created Viscount Powerscourt in 1618.

    The Waterfall. — Four miles from Powerscourt, and eight miles from Bray — is regarded as a splendid sight, as shown by the Illustration on our cover. When seen after heavy rain, it is indeed magnificent. In the immediate vicinity of the cascade, is a grassy nook much resorted to by pic-nic parties.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  5. Upper Lake and the death of Kathleen at Glendalough

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow

    The Upper Lake at Glendalough, a mile in length, is celebrated as the scene of Kathleen's death, associated with the legend tied to St. Kevin's Bed on Lugduff Hill above it.

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    Upper Lake, a mile in length, and celebrated as the scene of Kathleen’s death. On the south side of the lake rises Lugduff Hill, and on a craggy face of it is situated the celebrated

    Bed of St. Kevin, to enter which has been the ambition of almost all tourists.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  6. George IV entertained at Powerscourt House in 1821

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1821

    The grand saloon of Powerscourt House, eighty feet by forty, was the site where George IV was entertained during his visit to Ireland in 1821.

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    very spacious, is the grand saloon, eighty feet by forty, where George IV. was entertained on his visit to Ireland in 1821. The land appertaining to the demesne of Powerscourt is estimated at 26,000 English acres, but the enclosed grounds do not exceed 800 acres. It has frequently changed hands since first becoming English property. De la Poer,

    THE SCAIP.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  7. St. Kevin's Kitchen, most perfect ruin at Glendalough

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow

    St. Kevin's Kitchen is described as the most perfect ruin standing in the vale of Glendalough, a small building with a belfry at the west end that may be mistaken for a chimney, giving rise to its popular name.

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    St. Kevin’s Kitchen is the most perfect ruin now standing in the vale. It is a little building 22 feet long by 15 wide. The roof is of slabs of stone. At the west end is a belfry, which may easily be mistaken for a chimney, and hence the title vulgarly applied, to the building.

    st. Kevin’s kitchen.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  8. Round Tower of the Seven Churches at Glendalough

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow

    The Round Tower at Glendalough is described as one of the finest of its kind in Ireland, 110 feet high with a circumference of 51 feet, built of granite and slate intermixed, with windows similar to that at Clondalkin.

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    The Bound Tower is one of the finest of the kind in Ireland. Its height is 110 feet, and circumference 51 ; is built of granite and slate intermixed. Above the door are two small windows, and at the top are four more, as in that at Clondalkin.

    St. Kevin’s Kitchen is the most perfect ruin now standing in the vale. It is a little building 22 feet long by 15 wide. The roof is of slabs of stone. At the west end is a belfry, which may easily be mistaken for a chimney, and hence the title vulgarly applied, to the building.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  9. Bray Head as St. Patrick's reputed landing place

    near Bray Head · promontory · Wicklow

    Some historians believe that St. Patrick first landed in the area beneath the shade of Bray Head. This tradition is associated with the rugged headland near the town of Bray.

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    an Irish name, signifying the Silver Spears , in allusion to their peaked form and the white and silvery appearance of their barren summits. To the left is the rugged outline of Bray Head , beneath the shade of which some of our historians believe that St. Patrick first landed. On the extreme left is a picturesque mountain, known as Katty Gallagher , that having been the name of a resident who, in the year 1798, gave shelter to fugitive patriots.

    THE SCALP.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  10. Lower Lake at Glendalough and the tradition of St. Patrick banishing the snakes

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow

    The Lower Lake at Glendalough, about a quarter mile long, is said by guides to be the lake into which St. Patrick banished the last snakes.

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    Lower Lake, which is about a quarter of a mile long. It is generally said by guides to be that into

    30

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  11. The Devil's Glen and the River Vartry cascade

    near Devil's Glen · valley · Wicklow

    The Devil's Glen, about a mile and a half in length, is watered by the River Vartry which forms a beautiful cascade at its upper extremity. It is described as similar to the Dargle but more picturesque and sombre, with rocks rising 400 feet above the stream.

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    The Devil’s Glen — about a mile and a-lialf in length, and watered by the River Vartry, which forms a beautiful cascade at its upper extremity. The country above the waterfall is flat and dreary, and we can scarcely expect in passing over it to find such a romantic nook as that which we now refer to. The glen is somewhat like the Dargle in appearance, but more picturesque, of a more sombre cast, and on a grander scale, the rocks in some places rising 400 feet above the stream. The pathway up the glen follows the left bank of the stream. Scrambling up the side of the glen till the top of the declivity is attained, a fine prospect bursts on the view, including the fall, and in the distance the Wicklow mountains, among which Lugnaquilla (3039 feet) is the most prominent. Returning by the same path to the car in waiting, the tourist may proceed to the Seven Churches, via Ashford. From this a drive of seven miles will take us to the village of

    Annamoe. — It is situated on the rivulet of the same name, which issues out of Lough Dan. Whilst

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  12. Bed of St. Kevin on Lugduff Hill

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow

    On a craggy face of Lugduff Hill above the Upper Lake at Glendalough lies the celebrated Bed of St. Kevin, which tourists have long sought the ambition of entering.

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    Bed of St. Kevin, to enter which has been the ambition of almost all tourists.

    Yale of Clara, through which flows the Avonmore river, swelled by the waters of Annamoe, Glenmacnass, Glendassan, and Glendalough. Passing on to the town of

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  13. Powerscourt granted to Wingfield, created Viscount

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1608–1618

    In 1608 the Powerscourt property was given by James I to Sir R. Wingfield, who was created Viscount Powerscourt in 1618. This marked a change in ownership of the demesne originally built by De la Poer.

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    In the reign of Henry VIII. the castle was taken by the fierce O’Byrnes and O’Tooles of Wicklow, and being retaken by the English, was conferred upon the Talbots. Another Irish clan, the Kavanaghs, obtained possession of it in 1556. In 1608 the property was given by James I. to Sir R. Wingfield, wdio was created Viscount Powerscourt in 1618.

    The Waterfall. — Four miles from Powerscourt, and eight miles from Bray — is regarded as a splendid sight, as shown by the Illustration on our cover. When seen after heavy rain, it is indeed magnificent. In the immediate vicinity of the cascade, is a grassy nook much resorted to by pic-nic parties.

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  14. Stone crosses and the sacristy burying-ground at Glendalough

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow

    The Sacristy is part of the burying-ground reserved for Catholic clergy at Glendalough; stone crosses of various sizes are scattered throughout the valley, including one cemetery cross made of a single piece of granite eleven feet high.

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    The Sacristy is a portion of the burying-ground set aside for the repose of Catholic clergy. In the burying-ground, and indeed scattered all over the valley, are stone crosses of various sizes ; one in the cemetery is made of one piece of granite eleven feet high. The ruins we have been describing are principally situated at the lower end of the

    Lower Lake, which is about a quarter of a mile long. It is generally said by guides to be that into

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

  15. Roundwood, originally named Toglia, reservoir for Dublin Waterworks

    Roundwood · town · Wicklow · 1868

    Roundwood, a small hamlet originally named Toglia, is chiefly notable as the reservoir supplying the Dublin Waterworks, constructed in 1868 by enclosing the waters of the Vartry.

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    Roundwood — originally named Toglia — is a small hamlet, chiefly interesting to the tourist as being the reservoir for the supply of the Dublin Waterworks, which were constructed in 1868 by enclosing the waters of the Vartry. From here the tourist may return to Bray, either direct, via the Dargle, a distance of fourteen miles, or by Newtownmountkennedy, through the Glen of the Downs. He may also proceed to Annamoe and the Seven Churches.

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    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Roundwood in Wicklow, a small hamlet originally named Toglia. It's chiefly notable as the reservoir for the Dublin Waterworks, built in 1868 by enclosing the waters of the Vartry. From here you could head back to Bray via the Dargle, fourteen miles, or through Newtownmountkennedy and the Glen of the Downs. You could also go on to Annamoe and the Seven Churches.

  16. St. Saviour's Abbey on the Derrybawn property

    Derrybawn · townland · Wicklow

    St. Saviour's Abbey is situated on the Derrybawn property near Glendalough and is described as an undoubtedly very interesting ruin on architectural points.

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    St. Saviour’s Abbey is situated on the Derrybawn property. On architectural points, it is undoubtedly a very interesting ruin.

    The Sacristy is a portion of the burying-ground set aside for the repose of Catholic clergy. In the burying-ground, and indeed scattered all over the valley, are stone crosses of various sizes ; one in the cemetery is made of one piece of granite eleven feet high. The ruins we have been describing are principally situated at the lower end of the

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here on the Derrybawn property stand the ruins of St. Saviour's Abbey, close to Glendalough. It's described as a very interesting ruin on architectural points. The sacristy is a portion of the burying-ground set aside for the repose of Catholic clergy. Stone crosses of various sizes are scattered all over the valley, and one cross in the cemetery is a single piece of granite standing eleven feet high.

  17. Loughlinstown Workhouse

    near Loughlinstown · street · Dublin

    Loughlinstown Workhouse is listed as a stopping point on the Bray township car fare list, indicating its presence as an institution on the Kingstown and Dublin road route.

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    Loughlinstown Workhouse

    2 6

    Internet Archive guidetobraypictu00unse, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Loughlinstown stood the workhouse, listed in the Bray guide as a stopping point on the car fare route between Kingstown and Dublin. The record gives only its name, nothing more of its story.

This book is in the public domain; how the books' rights are judged. The passages are quoted as the scan has them, spelling and all; a story's place is the gazetteer's best reading of the text and can be wrong.