Further to my earlier reply regarding Captain Halpin: ...About 12 o'clock the people of Enniskerry were considerably enlivened, and something almost approaching to excitement was occasioned, by the appearance of three distinguished persons who walked most unostentatiously down the principal street of the little town.  The form of one of the three was at once recognised as that of the most popular lord of the soil, and it very soon oozed out that his companions were none other than Mr Gladstone and Lord Talbot de Malahide.  Opposite the National School the party met two well known local gentlemen, one of whom was Captain Halpin (a brother of the celebrated commander of the Great Eastern), and the other Mr Byrne, one of Lord Powerscourt's tenantry, and a gentleman somewhat largely engaged in farming pursuits.  With both the ex-Premier, on being introduced by Lord Powerscourt, warmly shook hands and entered into conversation, principally on the subject of agriculture, to which it may be mentioned Captain Halpin now also devotes his attention.  Mr Gladstone, amongst other inquiries, desired to know if Egyptian wheat was largely sown in Ireland, to which the burly and good-humoured-looking captain (the beau ideal, by the way, of a naval officer) replied that he believed that some of that description of wheat had come into the country, but that he had not used any of it himself.  The Powerscourt National School (which receives a grant of £50 annually from Lord Powerscourt) was then visited.  Mr. Gladstone inspected the hand writing of some of the pupils, and the sewing of the girls, with which he said he was much pleased.  He also remarked the cleanliness of the children, and their comfortable, well clad appearance.  The children sang "God save the Queen" very creditably, and when the right hon. gentleman took his departure cheered him... - [Irish Times, Thurs, Nov 1, 1877. A copied transcription but not checked.] From: irl-wicklow-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:irl-wicklow-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Michael Seery Sent: Monday, 28 March 2011 9:40 AM To: irl-wicklow@rootsweb.com Subject: [IRL-WICKLOW] Enniskerry History resource Hi I'm running a website on Enniskerry local history and with one eye on genealogy, try to include names where possible of people in the various articles. Everybody is welcome to contribute. There's also a book coming out next month. http://enniskerryhistory.org/ Michael