“The Townlands of Lackagh Parish” is the self-explanatory title of a new book written by Michael J. Hurley and published by Lackagh Museum and Community Development Association. The book is Michael’s seventh dealing with aspects of Lackagh parish and twelve dealing with his native Baldoyle in Dublin. this book is his largest project to date.
This is the story of 38 townlands that comprise the Civil Parish of Lackagh and gives important facts concerning landlords, residents, and their families in years gone by.
Michael’s book shows that these townlands will always be more than just 17th century commodities granted as payment to soldiers and those who helped fund the conquest of Ireland. They are part of what we are and will remain so well into the distant future.
Much use has been made of local newspapers, and news items relating to each townland have been selected to reflect life in the area and in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
A particularly valuable inclusion is the detail from the estate book of Joseph Meldon of Coolarne which provided us with detailed maps of five townlands along with their residents at the late part of the 1800s.
This fine tome was rescued from oblivion through the diligence of Museum Committee member Mary Duddy. It is through one of those idiosyncrasies of Irishness that Joseph Meldon’s residence, Coolarne, was not in Coolarne at all, rather being in Carheenlea.
Generous sponsorship has made it possible to retail the book at a price of just €13 which is an extremely reasonable price for a full-colour publication of 320 pages.
The book contains around 350 illustrations and photographs from the collection of local families, Lackagh Museum, and more modern pictures by the authur, Michael Hurley.
Covid-19 restrictions will make a live event to launch the book an impossiblility, but that has been overcome by Jennifer Zamparelli of FN2 and RTE’s Dancing with the Stars has agreed to perform a video launch. This will be available on the Lackagh Museum Facebook page along with other pages locally.
It is planned that the book will go on sale on St. Patrick’s Day and sale will probably be confined to local shops and by mailing, until lifting of restrictions permits us to sell from houses.
Postal orders of the book can be obtained from the author at 27 Carraig Mhór, Lackagh, Turloughmore, Athenry, H65AH74 at €20 to include postage (Ireland) and packing.
