‘Tall Tales and True Stories – Anecdotes of the East Coast’ is a new book by Stan J. O’ Reilly of Wicklow Historical Society. The book looks at tales and stories from north Bray to Wexford and deals with landmarks, people, places, events and matters which shaped and influenced the county of Wicklow.
Town and villages of Wicklow are featured as far inland as Baltinglass. History, Heritage and Folklore all combine, and explore the county through the eyes of old newspapers, to make for a very interesting read. Pagan Innisboheen, the Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Disaster, Newcastle village as a large town, the tale of John Waters of Rathnew, Rail tragedies at Bray.
Tales of Wicklow Gaol and Gallows Lane are featured. The girls at the Inn, Roundwood, in the 19th century feature in an article. A chapter on Law and Order features court cases humorous and serious. Shipwrecks on the east coast, including the Roman burials at Bray, are examined. County businesses. Sports and Animal Antics which includes the menace of the General at Arklow Quarry. The fighting priest of Kilquaid. Windgates, Kilmacanogue and Greystones in history and heritage.
The gunrunning at Kilcoole, characters such as Bray carman ‘Bit O’ Cake.’ Mother Kevin of Arklow and John Murphy of Knockrobbin.
In the Folklore chapter there is a section the ‘Thing’ which made an appearance in Baltinglass, the sightings of what was believed to be the noted ‘Kathleen’ who stalked the famed Saint Kevin at Glendalough. She appeared in several different visitor’s photographs, and the Glenealy Giant, 45ft tall weighing three quarters of a ton.
There is also a chapter on Mad Ads featuring the ‘girl wanted for fast food.’ All this and more can be found in the pages of Tall ‘Tales and True Stories.’ The book is on sale now, priced 15 Euro, available at the usual outlets.
