County Donegal Books & Authors

This page was compiled by Lindel and forms part of the Donegal Genealogy Resources Website

 

You may link to this page but not copy it

If you know of a good book on Donegal and would like it listed below, please Contact Me

Notes:

 

The following list is not an exhaustive one and will be updated as I come across more

I have included a summary of the book and also where it can be purchased

 

When buying books, my favorite booksellers are -

 

Barnacle Books

Universal Books

Amazon

EBay

 

When searching for Donegal books, I have found these sites very good -

 

Donegal County Library Catalogue

Adavanced Book Exchange

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Irish Bookshops

Read Ireland

Universal Books, Church Lane, Letterkenny

 

Please also check my personal Donegal Books collection, which is more up to date

 

Thanks go to :

Pete Schermerhorn, Diann O'Donnell, Pauline O'Keeffe, Connie Lynne Smith, Roseann McFadden Clavelli, Seamus O Donnell,

Donal Friel, (plus others I may have forgotten!) for their help in compiling this list

 

 

Donegal Authors

 

Eva Doherty Gremmert

Author : Website

From a wealth of detailed research and family stories, comes this story of Mary “Hudie” Doherty, Eva’s great grandmother.  This is Eva’s first work of historical fiction.

 

Hazel McIntyre

Storyteller & Author : Website

Hazel McIntyre is a born storyteller and her six compelling books are proof of that seemingly effortless talent. Hazel McIntyre has used the wild and beautiful landscape of her native Culdaff in Inishowen, Co. Donegal, Ireland as the backdrop for her her books. Hazel McIntyre has launched her sixth book in December 2004 entitled Bourne on The Wind which looks back once more at her Culdaff, Donegal childhood

Books - Bourne on the Wind, For Love of Mary Kate, Iron Wheels on Rocky Lanes, Echoes of Another Time, Lament in the Wind, Secrets On The Breeze. to Order

 

Dr Jim McLaughlin

Author and Geographer : Website

Jim Mac Laughlin, originally from Moville, Co. Donegal, is a political geographer and social scientist whose research interests have been broadly concerned with geographies of closure as they have impacted on groups that have been socially and geographically excluded from national and global societies. He has taught a wide variety of university courses in the social sciences and geography, mostly at University College, Cork, where has lectured for over twenty-five years.

Books - Troubled Waters: A Social and Cultural History of Ireland’s Sea Fisheries, Donegal: The Making of a Northern County, Re-imagining the Nation-State: The Contested Terrains of Nation-building, Location and Dislocation in Contemporary Irish Society: Emigration and Irish Identities, Under the Belly of the Tiger: Class, Race, Identity and Culture in the Global Ireland, Travellers and Ireland: Whose History, Whose Country?, Ireland: The Emigrant Nursery and the World Economy

 

New Books

Alan Hemmings

The Friendliness of Total Strangers ~ A Donegal Adventure

For this book and Derby to Donegal, by Design, see Donegal Design Books

 

Donegal Books

Title, Author and Details

After the Battering Ram - The Trail of the Dispossessed from Derryveagh, 1861-1991, May McClintock

This book is an account of the aftermath of the Derryveagh evictions, including reference to the arrival in Australia of many of those evictees. This book has 20 pages, was published by An Taisce, and printed in Letterkenny. The availability to buy it is very limited - the author does not have a copy, last I heard, but it is available in some major libraries.

 

Ancient Monuments of Inishowen, North Donegal, Sean Beattie

 

Aspects of our Rich Heritage - Cloughaneely, S. O Ceallagh

This book published in 2000, is a resource book which is an effort to present some aspects of the rich historical and cultural heritage of Cloughaneely.

 

Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, Brian Lacy et al 

Published by Donegal County Council, Lifford, 1983

 

Around Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Belleek: Around the Winding Banks of Erne, Compiled by John Cunningham. 1998

Collection of over 200 old photos of the three towns focussing on the section of the River Erne between Belleek & the sea. Covers nearly 150 years of photographic history of the area with an emphasis on people, society and everyday activities. Includes a chapter on the Belleek Pottery & one on the Erne Hydroelectric scheme. Tempus Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2QG: Series - The Archive Photograph Series; ISBN 0 7524 1542 5. Copy from Gould Genealogy PO  Box 675, Modbury, South Australia 5092. www.gould.com.au Cost around A$34.00

 

Assaroe 'Abbey of the Morning Star', Geraldine Carville 1984  ISBN 1 870963 01 6  Published by Abbey Mill Wheel Trust.     
A history of the Cistercian Abbey of Assaroe, Ballyshannon, founded towards the latter end of the 12th century.
   

The Best of Frances Browne - Poems, Stories and Essays by the Blind Genius of Stranorlar, Raymond Blair 2012 new

The book contains many of the author's works, including one story based in Donegal, namely, "The Wreckers of Fannet", and of course, some biographical info on the Poetess and her links with Stranorlar

It is available directly from Raymond Blair at raeblair@hotmail.com

See - Best of Frances Browne page

 

Bliainiris Dhun na nGall (Donegal Annual)' 1957, 1977, 1988, 1996, 1997, County Donegal Historical Society

I purchased this from the Four Masters Bookshop, The Diamond, Donegal Town, Co Donegal. Another source is to write to Ms Una McGarrigle, Parkhill, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.

Ballyshannon, Belcoo, Bertincourt: The History of the 11th Bn. the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal and Fermanagh Volunteers) in the First World War, W. J. Canning

The Best of William Allingham, Edited by Celine Mc Glynn.
Voice Books Ltd., Ballybofey.2003. 11.99 Euro. ISBN 0 - 9539265 - 2 - 4
Allingham is Ballyshannon's best known poet. 19th c.

 

Between the Jigs & the Reels, Caoimhin MacAoidh

 

Bridging the Ages, The Winding Roads and Stone Bridges of Kilcar and Glencolmcille, Co Donegal and The People Who Built Them 1750 - 1900, Patrick McBrearty

A pictorial collection of some of the architecturally interesting stone bridges, culverts and pipes in the parishes of Kilcar and Glencolmcille. 
Author: Patrick McBrearty - Email
Launch Date: May 2010
Website: http://www.bridgingtheages.com (soon)

 

Caiseal na gCorr, Cathal O Searcaigh

 

Cenel Conaill and the Donegal Kingdoms AD 500-800, Brian Lacey

New insights into ancient Donegal kingdoms, monuments and landscapes, placing important individuals and events of that era into political and cultural contexts. Published 2006 by the Four Courts Press, Dublin

 

Clan Ua Cearnachain and Carnahan Family Geneaolgies , Carnahan and Carnahan

514 pages, hardback, includes the history of the proud clan of Cearnacháin, (Carnahan, Kernohan and other spellings).  Well researched with an extensive bibliography, the story of the origins of the clan in Donegal, the Fanad Head Peninsula.  It tells who they were, where the went and why.  It also contains the genealogies of 10 Carnahan families after arrival in America.  Self published.  Details on Clan web page: www.carnahanclan.com 

 

The Cliff Scenery of South-Western Donegal , Kinnfaela (T.C. McGinley)

Published in 1867, this is a travel book written about the country where the author spent most of his life. Scenic beauty, familiar places and local geology are the framework within which stories told at the fireside and written, often in dramatised form. McGinley was an exceptionally gifted National School teacher who taught at Croagh, near Dunkineely. His book embraces detailed notices of St John's Point, Killybegs, Sliabh Lig, and Glen Head and is interspersed with a variety of local legends and historical annotations. It was only very recently reprinted by the Four Master Press, Dublin, in 2000. I purchased it from Cathach Books, Dublin, for about £18 Irish pounds.

 

Cloughaneeley:  Myth & Fact, Gerry McLaughlin

Local history, legend, some genealogy data Price:  About 15.00 Euros Purchased at The Barracks, Falcarragh

 

Cnuasach Focal as Teileann, Una U¡ Bheirn

 

County Donegal Railway, Steven Flanders

Daughter of Donegal, Mabel Rose Stevenson - A book of poems regarding everyday life in Donegal (Published in 1945 so probably out of print except at used book stores)

 

Dear Old Donegal, Words and music by Steven Graham, Pictures by John O'Brien - An illustrated children's book based on the song; a "rollicking version of a favorite American success sttory -- that of the poor immigrant boy who makes his fortune in the United States -- sprightly verses tell of an Irish lad's triumphal return to dear old Donegal"

 

Death In Templecrone - An Account of the Famine Years In Northwest Donegal, 1845-1850, Patrick Campbell

A very good book, well researched and easy to read. Available from Seanchai Books for $12 US

 

Donegal Ancestry

An excellent booklet by Boyd Gray, available to read online at this website

 

Donegal, An Exploration, J.J. Tohill

Purchased at the petrol station at Crolly, Co Donegal, home of Leo's Tavern and Clannad/Enya. This book has some wonderful, detailed information and is used as a resource by other publications, like 'Touring Donegal.' The book is available from the author and details of it can been seen on his website http://www.belmall.com/donegal/

 

Donegal Fairy Stories, Seamus MacManus

Read online

 

Donegal Islands:  Paintings and Stories from Sailing the Islands, Ros Harvey and Wallace Clark

Ten sections: Inishtrahull, the Garvans and Glashedy, Tory, Inishdooey and Inishboffin, Inishsirrer and inishmeane, Gola and Umfin, Owey and Eighter, Aranmore, Inishkeeragh and Rutland, Lahan, Edernish and Inishcoo, Inishfree, Illancrone and Roaninish, Inishkeel, Rathlin O'Birne and Innishmurray. Price - 18.99 Euros   

      

Donegal Pictures, Rachiel Giese

 

Donegal Poitin, Aidan Manning

 

Donegal Shipwrecks, Ian Wilson

Price 17.40 Euros. Purchased at ABC Bookshop, Letterkenny

 

Donegal Twilight, Sean McCool

Short stories for all ages. Price - 10.00 Euros

 

Donegal:  A Chronicle of the Twentieth Century, John Jude Devenney

Price - 10.16 Euros

 

Donegal: Gaeltacht Ireland at its Best, Gael Saoire

 

Donegal History and Society, edited by William Nolan, Liam Roynane and Mairead Dunleavy.

A major work on aspects of history and society in Donegal, featuring contributions on matters ranging from Prehistoric Donegal to The Donegal Fiddle Tradition. Published in 1995 by Geography Publications, Dublin.

 

Donegal: South of the Gap, Liam Ronayne

 

Donegal: The Making of a Northern County, Dr Jim McLaughlin
This anthology uses extracts from a wide variety of sources, to examine social and geographical change in Donegal over the past five centuries. Combining the approaches of the literary anthologist with that of the historian and social geographer, Jim Mac Laughlin focuses on changes in community life and material culture in Donegal from the pre-colonial period to the late 20th century. See Full Review

 

Downey: A History of the Protestant Downeys , C. Downey

 

Drontheim: Forgotten sailing boat of the North Irish coast, Donal MacPolin

Traditional sailing fishing boat, once a familiar sight on Ireland’s north coast and nearby Scottish Islands. Abt. €15, purchased from the ABC Bookshop, Letterkenny. ISBN 0 9536380 0 6

 

Emigrants and Exiles - Ireland and the Irish Exodus to North America, Kerby A. Miller

 

Exploring Family Origins in MountCharles, Inver, & Donegal Town - Also available - Letterkenny, Ballybofey and Stranorlar, and Ballyshannon, Noel Farrell

Purchased at the Four Masters Bookshop. Contents: Church Records (available periods), Townland Map, Donegal History, 1889 & 1944 Pubs, 1901& 1911 census, 1934 Thom's Directory, 1940 Electors List, 1857 Griffith's Valuation, Maps. Also available from the author at http://www.exploringfamilyorigins.com/

 

Fadó, A Memoir of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, Kevin O'Donnell

Ireland , 1835 – the author’s remote ancestral home, Arranmore Island, languishes on the eve of famine. Meanwhile, carved from the Illinois prairie, a small settlement rises, eventually becoming his boyhood hometown, Mundelein. Fadó (f’doe), Irish for "long ago," chronicles the surprising confluence of these two cultures. Generations of family heritage, immigration, triumph, and tragedy reveal fascinating ties to a much bigger world. Resonating throughout is the story of a son eager to please his father and prove his worth. See the Fadó Website

 

Families of Co. Donegal, Ireland, Michael C. O'Laughlin

 

Footprints through the Rosses, Donnchadh Devenney

Short essays on superstitions and customs, travel and transport, writers and poets, the cruel sea, music tradition, Dungloe, Arranmore, etc. Good photos. €8.00, purchased from the Dunlewey Interpretive Center

 

Glencolumkille A History 3000BC - 1901AD, Aidan Manning 2002
11 Euro. pbk   324 pages. ISBN  0 - 9730291 - 0 -2

Gneithe de Stair Ghaoth Dobhair (Gweedore by Land Sea), Cait Nic Giolla Bhride (Kitty McBride)

In Irish, stories from Gweedore, school information, photos. €6, purchased from the Carrickfinn Airport

 

The Great Famine in South-West Donegal 1845-1850, Pat Conaghan

Purchased at the Four Masters Bookshop. In this book the Famine in south-west Donegal is examined from a local point of view for the first time. The people in this area suffered immensely following the blight on the potato crop during several successive years. The inhabitants of Glenties, Ardara, Glencolumbkille, Teelin, Carrick, Kilcar, Killybegs, Dunkineely, Inver, Mountcharles, and Donegal came through those terrible years without a significant level of deaths. However, they paid an enormous price for their survival. Many lost their homes, their farms, their livestock, and, most of all, their quiet dignity, when, unable to feed their children, the British Association stepped in to keep them alive. It also contains many names of local people during that time.

 

Hard Road to Klondike, Michael MacGowan

Michael was born in Pollanaranny, near Derryconor, Tullaghobegley, in 1865 and was a first-class story-teller. This book is full of great stories and recollections - a very good book to have on your shelf. It is offered for sale by Elephant Books.com for $15 US.

 

Highways and Byways in Donegal and Antrim, Stephen Gwynn

Published in 1899. This book is essentially a travel guide, written by Gwynn as he travelled through those counties on foot, or by bicycle and cart. He includes alot of interesting information though, in the way of local stories, customs and the history of the various places.......as it was written so long ago, it really is both interesting and enjoyable. I borrow the book from a library.

 

Hill Walkers Donegal:34 Sea-Cliff & Hill Routes:Stroller/Mountain, David Herman

 

History & Antiquities of Killybegs, Charles Conaghan. Published in 1950s
 
History of Landlordism in Donegal, Proinsias Ó Gallchobhair.
1st ed 1962, reprinted 1975.  192 pages.
Much of the book is devoted to landlordism in West Donegal. Everything you would want and need to know about landlordism in Donegal during the 1800s. A very good book for background research, it answers some questions like, why did the tenant farmers not try to improve
the lot of their poor farms? Would you, if even by the addition of a new door or window you were promptly rewarded for your industry and enterprise by a sharp increase in rent? This book goes deeper into interesting issues, such as the land league, Lord George Hill, and the evictions 
in Gweedore. This book is rare and expensive 
	but is available in some libraries.
 

Homes of Donegal, Sean McMahon Designed by Brian Finnegan

 

The Humours of Donegal, Seamus MacManus, 1898

Read online

 

Inishfree:  A tribute to a Donegal island and its people, Margaret Duffy

Essays on island life, customs, fishing, etc.

 

Inishfree, Co. Donegal (Step), by John Gimblett

 

Ireland:1841/1851 Census Abstracts (Republic of Ireland), Josephine Masterson

The Old Age Pension was introduced in 1908, but as civil registration of births, marriages and deaths was not begun in Ireland until 1864, birth certificates were not available for persons of eligible age (70 years). The Pensions Officer sent the particulars of a claimant on a form for checking in the 1841 and/or 1851 Censuses held in the Public Record Office of Ireland at the Four Courts in Dublin, the completed forms then returned to the Pensions Officer. This was before the Public Record Office fire of 1922. The book details census abstracts from Old Age Pension records held in Belfast for 84 Donegal households from the 1841 census and 234 from the 1851 census......each record gives the name, relationship, age, marriage date, and remarks such as maiden names as well as the townland and parish of those households. Not many records, but better than nothing! This book seems to be out of print with most major bookstores, but it is offered for sale by Willow Bend Books for $25 US.

 

Irish Famine, Edward Purdon

A very short Irish history of the 1845-52 years. Price - 6.95 Euros. Purchased at ABC Bookshop, Letterkenny

 

Islanders:  True Story of One Man's Fight to Save a Way of Life, Diarmuid O'Peicin with Liam Nolan

Fr. O'Peicin's own story of his time on Tory Island. Price - 10.50 Euros. Purchased from ABC Bookshop, Letterkenny 

 

John Hamilton of Donegal 1800 to 1884, This Recklessly Generous Landlord, Dermot James

Only a minority of landlords were benevolent, but few treated their tenants with such consideration as did John Hamilton of Donegal, who almost bankrupted himself in the process. His tenants had good reason to value this humane and progressive proprietor who was well-travelled and spoke six languages. He kept a journal - upon which this book is based - recording events on his estate and during his travels around Ireland and on the continent. Over 40 illustrations, including three maps, are reproduced in this book. I purchased it from WHSmith Online for £10.95 UK pounds.

 

Killybegs - Then and Now, Donald Martin

Once a small fishing village on the north west coast of Ireland, Killybegs has become one off the mosst important fishing ports in the country. Killybegs Then and Now is a chronicle of how this beautiful little town, with Donegal Bay at its feet and the t owering mass off Crownarad at its back has changed over the years. An unforgettable picture of the town, the harbour and the people of Killybegs. Available from ReadIreland, Price: £9.95 Irish pounds. 

 

Killymard, Ancient & Modern, Edited by Rev Canon H. Trimble

This well written and presented book contains a wealth of other information including family histories, hearth money rolls, births/baptisms from 1844-1880, memoirs, local history, maps and photographs. If your ancestors originated in Killymard (and now I wish mine had!) then this book is invaluable - doubly so because it contains a rarity in 19th century Irish research - the 1821/41/51 census. This was thanks to The Rev William Wilson Mercer, who recorded these details in notebooks, recently found in the house of Charles Gould. They are the only copies, the originals being destroyed by fire in the Public Record Office in Dublin in 1922. Write or E-mail Margaret Graham, Rathneeny, Laghy, Co Donegal. Phone 073-21816 E-mail mgtgraham@tinet.ie - Information page

 

Kilmacrenan, Guided Trails, Margaret Carton

Purchased from the Tourist Information Office, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. This is an excellent guide and goes into great detail on the surrounds of Kilmacrenan - highly recommended. 

 

Land War and Eviction in Derryveagh, 1840-65, Liam Dolan

This book was undertaken in the clear knowledge that it would be unlikely that the complete story of the Derryveagh Evictions would ever be truely known. This is due in part to quite a considerable number of documents not surviving and to the fact that so many of Derryveagh's sons and daughters forsook their native land and sought their fortunes under the 'Southern Cross'. It is a good work, regardless of the inevitable gaps appearing in the narrative, and I recommend its reading. Although published in 1980, there were only 600 copies published so it is difficult ot get hold of, though a good library may have one. 

 

The Last of the Name, Charles McGlinchey

Charles McGlinchy (1861-1954) was a weaver by trade. He lived his entire life in the Meentiagh Glen, near the village of Clonmany, on the Inishowen Peninsula of COunty Donegal. He never married, and he outlived all of his brothers and sisters, none of whom left an heir; thus, 'the last of the name.' It was the local schoolmaster, Patrick Kavanagh, who recognised the value of McGlinchy's memories and determined to record them for posterity. On a couple of evenings each week during the winters of the late 1940s and early 1950s, Kavanagh visited McGlinchy at his home. I purchased this book from Barnes and Noble for about $15 US. 

 

Last Years of `the Wee Donegal`, Robert Robotham

 

The Legacy Which is Laghy Community and Church, Edited by Rev TH Trimble

This book was written on the history of the parish to mark the Millennium. It covers every aspect of the parish, including all the organisations, the church and its history, up to the present day, the 1901 census, all the families living in the parish in 2000 and an outline history on every family living in the parish at the present time. There are birth, marriage and death records dating from 1691 to 1836 as well as the names of all families living in the village and townlands in the 1600 and 1700 hundreds. The book cost $15 American dollars [Inc p&p] £8.50 sterling [Inc p&p] and all proceeds go to the Church Restoration Fund. Write or E-mail Margaret Graham, Rathneeny, Laghy, Co Donegal. Phone 073-21816 E-mail mgtgraham@tinet.ie - Information page

 

Life in Donegal 1850-1900, Edward McCarron

This book contains the reminiscences of the author, who was born in Donegal in 1842. It is another good background book to learn about life in 19th century Donegal. It is out of print but available at some libraries.

 

Living Like a Lord: The Second Marquis of Donegal 1769-1844, W A Maguire

 

Looking Under Stones: Roots, Family and a Donegal Childhood, Joe O`Toole

 

Lost Spanish Galleons and Treasure in Donegal:  Spanish Armada, James Barr

Historical accounts of shipwrecks near the Donegal coast. Price - 18.99 Euros. Purchased at ABC Bookshop, Letterkenny

 

McHenry Letters - 1834-46, Graham Mawhinney (editor)

 

Mad Dog Coll:  An Irish Gangster, Breandan Delap

Famous (or infamous?) story of Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll's reign of terror in New York. Price - 12.68 Euros

 

Memoir for the WASP, Enda McLaughlin

Novel based on historical event of sinking of the Wasp off Tory Island, 1884. ISBN 0 907606 55 5

 

Memories of Dungloe, Patrick Campbell

A unique and fascinating account of growing up in Donegal in the 1940s and 1950s. Sometimes comic, sometimes tragic, sometimes shocking. Always interesting. I cannot find a current bookseller for it, but it may be available from a good library .... or the author.

 

Molly Maguire Story, Patrick Campbell

Account of his relative who was tried and unfairly convicted in the Pennsylvania coal fields. Price - 12.70 Euros

 

My Friend Flanagan. Tall Tales told by Packie Manus Byrne 1996.  
8 Euros ISBN  0 - 95 - 1464 - 1 - 6
Roger Millington, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales SA 19  7XA
OR Roger Millington, P.O. Box 1331, Place Bonaventure, Montreal, Qc, Canada H5A 1H1

 

Occasions of Faith - An Anthropology of Irish Catholics, Lawrence J. Taylor

Devotional 'occasions' or experiences by Irish Catholics form the crux of this powerful, first book-length anthropological study of Irish Catholicism. Rich ethographic material, wide-ranging archival sources, insightful cultural observations, vivid accounts of individual experiences and thoughtful scrutiny of religious questions and theories illuminate twenty years of ethnographic field work. From these varied resources Lawrence Taylor creates a memorable account of the forces that shape local forms of Catholicism in southwest Donegal. I purchased this book from Barnes and Noble for $18.50 US.

 

O`Doherty People and Places, Fionnbarra O`Dochartaigh

 

O'Doherty's Rebellion: The London Newsbooks, Rob Dougherty

By 1608 Sir Cahir O'Doherty was the only remaining Gaelic chieftain still ruling in Ireland. His attempts to peacefully co-exist with the English government ultimately failed and he rebelled burning the city of Derry and killing the governor. Several months later he was hunted down and killed. His head was put on a pike in Dublin. This book reproduces three newsbooks that appeared in London that year. There is an introduction explaining the historical context and history of the O'Doherty name. US$14.95 from http://books.lulu.com/content/1842694

 

O'Donnells of Tir Chonaill, V. O'Donnell

Purchased from the Four Masters Bookshop, The Diamond, Donegal Town, Co Donegal. It is a concise history of the O'Donnell Clan and a must read.

Old Time Jokes & Stories from Falcarragh, Compiled by Paddy O'Grady. Very light reading. Price - 5.00 Euros. Purchased in Falcarragh 

 

On An Irish Jaunting-Car Through Donegal and Connemara, Samuel G. Bayne

Basically a travel book, but published in 1902, so its now very interesting. It is interspersed with observations of the flora, people and history. This book is priced anywhere from $20 US to $141 US and can be found by doing a search through ABE Books.

 

Ordnance Survey Letters: County Donegal, John O`Donovan

 

Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland - Parishes of Donegal, 1833-6, (two volumes), The Memoirs are a uniquely detailed source for the history of Donegal immediately before the Great Famine. They were written in the 1830s to accompany the 6" Ordnance Survey maps. They act as a nineteenth-century Domesday book and are essential to the understanding of the cultural heritage of our communities. The Memoirs document the landscape and situation, buildings and antiquities, land-holdings and population, employment and livelihood of the parishes. Highly recommended to accompany your research. I purchased them from ReadIreland, priced at £8.75 Irish pounds each. 

 

Other Side of the Rainbow: Autobiography of the Voice of Clannad, Maire Brennan

 

The Outer Edge of Ulster-A Memoir of Social Life in Nineteenth-Century Donegal , Hugh Dorian

In 1890, Hugh Dorian, a native of Fanad working as a writing clerk in Derry, completed a work titled 'Donegal, 60 Years Ago-A true historical narrative' of the transformation of his home-place in the mid-nineteenth century. He describes the ordinary and the everyday - births, death and marriages, hedge-schools and schoolmasters, the ponteen industry and donkey races, local systems of land holding and more. And then he describes the the extraordinary and the incomprehensible - the Great Famine and the 'mournful silence', the sense of communal bereavement, that followed in its wake. This book was published in July 2000 for the first time and is available from ReadIreland and is priced at £25 Irish pounds.

 

Paddy's Lament - Ireland 1846-1847 - Prelude to Hatred, Thomas Gallagher

 

Parish Maps of Ireland (depicting all townlands in the four Ulster Counties of Armagh, Donegal, Londonderry and Tyrone), Brian Mitchell and the Derry Youth and Community Workshop Publ. by Closson Press, Apollo, Pennsylvania, 1988

 

Poems from Donegal, Theodore Holmes

 

Rambles Round Donegal, Patrick Campbell

 

Rat Pit, Patrick McGill

 

Recollections of a Donegal Man , Packie Manus Byrne

With the unforced eloquence of a born storyteller, traditional singer Packie Manus Byrne recounts his eventful life. After painting a fascinatingly detailed picture of growing up in an isolated crofting community in the early years of this century, he goes on to chronicle his adventurous wanderings as - among many other things - cattled drover, smuggler, steepljack, circus hand, actor, and folk performer. I purchased it from WHSmith Online for about £7 UK pounds.

 

Red Hugh: Prince of Donegal, Robert T. Reilly

Red Hugh was greatest of O’Donnells; lived during reign of Queen Elizabeth I; fought the English with aid of his ally O’Neill. From Catholic Treasure Books, for readers 10 years of age and older.

 

Roise Rua – An Island Memoir, recorded by Padraig ua Cnaimhsi and translated by J J Keaveny.

The story of Roise Rua Coll, born near Dungloe in 1879 and her life on Arranmore Island. A fascinating recording of a way of life, now disappeared, including tales of hiring fairs in Strabane, working in the Lagan in east Donegal and ‘tatie-hoking’ on potato farms in Scotland. Published in 2009 by the Mercier Press, Cork.

 

Romantic Inishowen - Ireland's Wonderful Peninsula, H. P. Swan Publ. by Hodges, Figgis & Co., Dublin, 1947

 

The Sands of Time. A History of Donegal Town & its Environs, Author:  Malachy Sweeney.
A very detailed history, well researched and written.
385pp paperback. Tirhugh Press Donegal Town. 2006. 25 Euro. ISBN  0 - 0553155-0-6
Available from the Four Masters Bookshop, Donegal Town.

 

Scenery & Antiquities of North-West Donegal, William Harkin 1893

Read online

 

Sin, Sheep and Scotsmen - John George Adair and the Derryveagh Evictions, 1861, W.E. Vaughan

This relatively short book (about 80 pages), is another text on the Derryveagh Evictions. It is difficult to buy as it is out of print, but there are copies of it in some major libraries.

 

Songs of Donegal, Patrick MacGill

PDF file online

 

St. John's Point, County Donegal: In Former Days and Now, Brid Ward

A new book (2010) containing a treasure trove of information for people with family/ancestors from the townlands of St John's Point, Killaghtee - see Review and ordering details

 

St Patrick's Church, Parish of Isakaheen and Upper Moville, A new book, compiled by the Priest and parishioners. Details on how to purchase the book are at iskaheenbook.htm

 

Stories from Tory Island, Dorothy Harrison Therman

Published in 1989 by Country House, Dublin.

 

The Story of the Donegal Senior Football Championship 1919-2001, Fr. Sean O Gallchoir

Fr. Gallagher is from Gweedore; found a niche in rarified world of GAA stats. €10, purchased from MACE Supermarket, Gortahork. ISBN 9 9542806 0 1

 

Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland County Donegal, Eamon Cody

 

Teach Pobail Chriost Ri, Gort a Choirce, Sean O'Gallachoir

(Christ the King Church, Gortahork) on its 50th anniversary, 1953-1003, History of the church and some parishioners. Purchased at MACE supermarket/petrol station, Gortahork. Price - 12.00 Euros

 

Top O' The Mornin', Seamus MacManus 1890

Read online

 

Toraigh, Cloich Cheann Fhaola, Cnoc Fola (Tory Island, Cloughaneely, Bloody Foreland), A scenic drive through historic northwest Donegal

Price - 4.00 Euros

 

Toraigh na dTonn (Tory of the Waves. In Irish), Eoghan O’Colm (Father Eugene Collum)

Internet bookseller in Ireland, ISBN 1 874700 58 3. Abt. €10.00

 

Touring Donegal, Brian Fox

Published by North West Tourism, purchased at the Tourist Information Office, Donegal Town, Co Donegal - I took it with me everywhere and it is great for planning your tour, with some must-see routes mapped out for you.

 

That land beyond : folklore of Donegal, Jenni Doherty

 

The Battle Book of the O'Donnells, Douglas Chretien

 

The Famine Ships - The Irish Exodus to America, Edward Laxton

 

The Heritage of Inishowen - Its Archaeology, History and Folklore, Mabel Colhoun Publ. by The Northwest Archaeological and Historical Society, 1995

 

The Mountains of Donegal : short stories, Daniel MacCarron

 

The Story of The Rosses, Ben O'Donnell

 

The Waters of Donegal : Short Stories, Daniel MacCarron

 

Time's Bitter Flood: Tradition in Southwest Donegal, Eusenia Shanklin

 

Tory Islanders:  People of the Celtic Fringe, Robin Fox

"Appealing to both the professional anthropologist and the general reader, this book is an account of a unique people...Tory islanders are a people whose roots go back to pre-Christian Ireland.  In their isolation, they have maintained a way of life that has disappeared on the mainland and in the rest of Europe....briefly describes Tory Islanders' history and legends..their fascination with genealogy and kinship.." Price - 8.50 Euros

 

Tory Island Images, Martine Frank

 

Tracing your Donegal Ancestors, Helen Meehan & Godfrey Duffy

New edition, launched in the County Library, Letterkenny, 20 Nov 2008. Co Donegal remained administratively remote from the rest of Ireland for much of its history and the variety and scale of records available to the family historian is relatively low. This book sets out the records available for Donegal, where they can be accessed, and how they can be used to best effect in tracing Donegal families. Highly recommended. Dublin, Ire.: Flyleaf Press, 2008   ISBN: 978 0 9539974-9-7

 

Troubled Waters: A Social and Cultural History of Ireland’s Sea Fisheries, Dr Jim McLaughlin
This is the most comprehensive study of the history of sea fishing in Ireland to date. It charts the evolution of fisheries from the earliest times, and discusses the historical importance of the coastal economy to the country’s maritime communities. See Full Review

 

Tulach Beaglaoich Inne Agus Inniu (Tullaghobegley Past and Present), History of the cemetery, including transcriptions

 

Two Painters' Works, James Dixon and Alfred Wallis

Tory Islanders have developed a unique artistic style in their paintings

 

Vanished Glory: A Family in America , Connie Lynne Smith, connielynne@worldnet.att.net, http://www.connielynne.com

 

Virtues of a Wicked Earl -  The life and legend of William Sydney Clements, 3rd Earl of Leitrim, 1806–78, A.P.W. Malcomson

The story of the notorious landlord who was murdered by disgruntled tenants on the banks of Mulroy Bay in 1878. Published Winter 2008 by the Four Courts Press, Dublin

 

Walking Guide to Ballyshannon, Compiled by Historic Ballyshannon Committee, June 2003

This little book is a walking guide to the historic sights & sites of Ballyshannon, illustrated with lots of photos & detailing notable historical facts about each site. Also includes suggestions for car journeys to surrounding towns, historic & scenic places. Contains a useful map of Ballyshannon showing listed places of interest. Well worth purchasing for anyone with an interest in this area. Copy purchased from A Novel Idea Castle Street Ballyshannon Donegal Phone  071-9858124 in Sept 2003. Cost 5 euros.

 

Wee Donegal Revisited, Curran Rowbotham

 

Where Erne & Drowes Meet the Sea, Fragments from a Patrician Parish, P. Ó Gallachóir. 1961
A history of the parish now known as Magh Éne - comprising Bundoran and most of Ballyshannon south of the River Erne.

 

William Allingham, Alan Warner. 1975    ISBN  0 - 8387 - 7990 -5 pbk.
Bracknell University Press - Irish Writers Series,  Cranbury, N.J. 08512, USA
OR  Associated University Presses, 108 New Bond Street, London WIY OQX

 

Workhouses of the North-West, Jack Johnston

Purchased at the Four Masters Bookshop. This book details the Workhouses in the whole of the North-West, including the one at Ballyshannon and an outline of the Poor Law Unions of Co Donegal. Harrowing reading. It also contains the words of a ballad called the 'Poor-House', copies of which were confiscated from a Fermanagh man who was singing it around Donegal Town in early 1848.

 

Zulu Fisherman:  Forgotten Pioneers of Donegal's First Fishing Industry, Pat Conaghan. 

Price - 25.00 Euros. Purchased at ABC Bookshop, Letterkenny

 

More Soon! 

 

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Lindel Buckley

© 1998 Donegal Genealogy Resources