Glenmalure & Memories of a Lost World - How Did Electrification Change Rural Ireland?

Irish History Podcast

Fin Dwyer

Ireland, Irish History, Norman Invasion, Great Hunger, Vikings, Interviews, History, War Of Independence, Great Famine

4.7 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 21 May 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Nestled deep in the Wicklow Mountains, Glenmalure was once a stronghold for rebels and a sanctuary from the outside world. But long after the echoes of rebellion faded, the valley remained a place apart, where the comforts of modern life arrived late. Glenmalure was only connected to the electricity grid and running water in the late 20th century, and the rhythms of daily existence were shaped by isolation, resilience, and community spirit.

In this evocative episode, which concludes a series on the Wicklow Military Road, historian Fin Dwyer shares the stories of people who lived in this isolated and remote valley.

Recorded in a 200-year-old inn, this episode weaves together personal recollections, local history, and the enduring landscape of Glenmalure. It is a tribute to a way of life that has only recently disappeared!

The episode features the voices of Carmel O’Toole, Michael Fewer, Marion McEvoy, Hugh McLindon, and Pat Dunne. This episode would not have been possible by the hours of recordings with the Glenamalure Pure Mile Group.

Thanks to the Glenmalure Lodge for faciliating this episode.

A special thanks to Deirdre Burns, the Heritage Officer of Wicklow County Council.

This episode was funded by Wicklow County Council and the Heritage Council.

Sound by Kate Dunlea.

200 Anniversary Events to mark the death of Michael Dwyer

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Michael Dwyer, the rebel who played a pivotal role in the history of the Wicklow Military Road. On August 23rd, 2025, a special event is being organised to explore Michael Dwyer, his life, and his legacy. Find out more here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michael-dwyer-200-registration-1358221520129?aff=oddtdtcreator

Books on Glenmalure and the Wicklow Military Road:

Carmel O'Toole: Glenmalure: The Wild Heart of the Mountains

Michael Fewer: The Wicklow Military Road

Additional Sources:

Marion McEvoy https://marionmcevoy.com/

Glenmalure Lodge https://glenmalurelodge.ie/

Glenmalure hostel (the former home of Dr Kathleen Lynn) https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/p/15098/glenmalure-hostel-hostelling-international/

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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1:04.3	There's a great what-if moment in Irish history that took place in the late summer of 1849,
1:14.2	August to be specific.
1:16.8	Queen Victoria was in the midst of a long anticipated but high-stakes royal visit to Ireland.
1:23.6	There was so much that could go wrong.
1:26.5	Only a year previously in 1848, there had been an uprising
1:30.3	against British rule in Ireland, while large parts of the island were still in the grip of the
1:36.4	great famine. However, in a carefully staged managed event, the Queen's visit proved a major success. She travelled by yacht and only landed in areas where officials knew she would receive a warm welcome. This left Victoria with the impression that her Irish subjects were, for the most part, content. Meanwhile, the strategy of travelling by yacht gave Victoria panoramic views of the Irish landscape
2:03.9	as she travelled along the south and east coasts. Ever the keen artist, she even sketched the
2:10.6	Wickrow Mountains, which she described as beautiful as she made her way towards Dublin.
2:16.8	Looks, however, can be deceptive, and unbeknownst to the Queen, Irish radicals had devised
2:22.7	a scheme where they planned to take her prisoner when she reached the capital and demand
2:28.0	that rebels who had been arrested after the 1848 rebellion be released in exchange for the Queen.
	...

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