West Wicklow Historical Society Launch Events

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The West Wicklow Historical Society will be launching on-the-double on the evening of Friday 18 October.  Baltinglass Library will be the venue for two events in one.  These are the Baltinglass launch of the ‘Our Wicklow Women’ exhibition and the official launch of the WWHS’s 10th Journal.

‘Our Wicklow Women’ is an exhibition celebrating the achievements or tribulations of thirteen women historically associated with Co. Wicklow.  It is an initiative of Deirdre Burns, County Heritage Officer, and Catherine Wright, County Archivist.  This free exhibition has been in various locations over the past several months and it will remain in Baltinglass Library for a month after this event.

Four of the subjects included in the exhibition were from the western half of the county – Elizabeth Smith of Baltiboys, her great-granddaughter Dame Ninette de Valois, Eliza Davis of Mullinacuff and Jennie Wyse Power, a native of Baltinglass.  Jennie’s story was researched and written by another Baltinglass native, Cora Crampton of the WWHS, and she will give a brief talk on the remarkable Mrs. Wyse Power to launch this leg of the exhibition.

The WWHS has already entered its 40th year and its journal is its most enduring contribution to the heritage of West Wicklow and environs.  The first three issues were published in the 1980s.  Then there was a hiatus until 2007, when Chris Lawlor and Donal McDonnell revived it.  Since then there has been a journal every two years, produced by the same editorial team.  The appearance of the 10thJournal is a landmark for the society in advance of its 40th anniversary celebrations in 2020.  It is also considerably larger than any of the previous nine editions, with articles on diverse aspects of the past and various locations within the area covered by the WWHS.  The price is €15.00 and it will be on sale on the night.

The events on Friday 18 October take place during library opening hours (6.30pm to 8.30pm).  The exhibition may be viewed and the journal purchased anytime within those hours but the official proceedings, including Cora Crampton’s brief talk, begin at 7pm sharp.  All are welcome to attend.