Talbotstown Church – something of a West Wicklow gem

by | Nov 30, 2020 | Carlow, Carrig Mountain, Charles Drury, Englishtown, Finn McCool, Humewood, Keadeen, Kilranelagh, Rathvilly, Talbotstown, Wicklow | 2 comments

St. Brigid’s Church, Talbotstown, has a really beautiful backdrop, with the twin mountains of Keadeen and Carrig dominating the view.  The small car park beside the church is one of the best vantage points for admiring those mountains and for seeing Finn McCool and...

The Eleven (or so) Daughters of John and Martha Stratford

by | Nov 19, 2020 | Aldborough, Baltinglass, Belan, Dennis Family, Dunlavin, Fortgranite, Hacketstown, Hartpole, Mountneill, Powerscourt, Rathvilly, Shrule, Stratford Family, Tynte family, Tynte Park | 3 comments

There must have been much rejoicing when John and Martha Stratford’s eighth child arrived in the mid-1730s, about a decade into their marriage.  According to Martha’s second cousin, Pole Cosby, that eighth child, Edward, was their first son.  It is said that John and...