Presenting short illustrated biographies across more than 200 pages, the book is Kiely’s eighth local history title in as many years, following six bestselling books on County Wexford and his 2024 exploration of Wicklow’s key events. A long-time resident of the county, he lived in Wicklow for almost 30 years.
Among the revolutionaries featured is Anne Devlin, born near Aughrim, who remained loyal to Irish republicanism during Robert Emmet’s failed 1803 rising. Arrested in Dublin, she spent nearly three years in solitary confinement in Kilmainham Gaol and refused to identify Emmet’s associates.
Her cousin Michael Dwyer, from the Glen of Imaal, led a guerrilla campaign from 1799 to 1803. The 36-mile Military Road, begun in 1800, was constructed to reach the remaining rebels. After surrender, Dwyer and his wife Mary Doyle from Donard were deported to New South Wales; he died in Sydney in 1825.
Dame Ninette de Valois, founder of the Royal Ballet, traced her roots to Baltyboys near Blessington. Tinahely-born tenor Dermot Troy brought Mozart’s works to international audiences, while Greystones-born actor Geraldine Fitzgerald appeared alongside Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart and Laurence Olivier. Bray musician Fran O’Toole is remembered among the victims of the Miami Showband massacre in 1975.
The county’s sporting tradition is represented by Olympian Peter O’Connor of Wicklow town, whose long-jump record at the 1906 Athens Games stood for 20 years and in Ireland for 89. O’Connor raised the ‘Erin go Bragh’ flag at the games in protest at being listed as representing Great Britain.
Political history is covered through Charles Stewart Parnell of Avondale. John Parnell’s agricultural ventures in Alabama, Fanny Parnell’s Fenian sympathies and Anna Parnell’s founding of the Ladies’ Land League are detailed.
Innovators and pioneers include Richard Crosbie of Baltinglass, Ireland’s first aeronaut; Robert Halpin of Wicklow town, master of the SS Great Eastern who oversaw the laying of transatlantic telegraph cables; and Arklow’s Kate Tyrrell, Ireland’s first modern-day female ship captain.
Patrons and residents linked to Wicklow’s great houses are included. Garech de Brún, long associated with Luggala Lodge, supported Irish arts and helped form The Chieftains in 1962. The book recounts Luggala’s origins as a La Touche hunting lodge, and Elizabeth Hawkins-Whitshed of Killincarrig, a pioneer of winter Alpine mountaineering.
Chapters look at Christabel Burton and Peter Bielenberg’s post-war life near Shillelagh; Richard Wingfield’s development of Powerscourt and the village of Enniskerry; Henry Grattan’s residence there; Rathdrum’s Máire Comerford of Cumann na mBan; Kilcoole’s Robert Monteith, a confidant of Roger Casement; Robert Childers Barton of Glendalough House, a treaty signatory; Russian émigré Michael Tolstoy’s later years in Delgany; and estates linked to William Fitzwilliam of Coollattin House, Robert Kennedy of Mount Kennedy and astronomer Henry Ussher of Mount Usher.
Famous Wicklow People in History is now available from outlets throughout the county.