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 -
When searching for Donegal books, I have found these sites very good -
Donegal County Library Catalogue
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Irish Bookshops
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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.
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!