BOOKS on fairies in Inishowen and ‘catechism of the laws on storms’ are just some of the fascinating and rare items being offered for sale at Saturday’s collectors’ fare in the House of Books charity shop, Ballybofey.
All proceeds from the sale will go towards the Donegal Branch of the Living Links suicide support group.
Other books on offer include a “very scarce” signed hardback on the Arranmore Disaster by Jimmy O’Donnell as well as one on the Lough Swilly Railway by Fr John Fitzgerald.
According to the fair organiser, Mr Danny McIntyre, the copy of ‘Inishowen Fairy Land’, also penned by Fr Fitzgerald, is “very rare” and should be of huge interest to collectors from Donegal and further afield.
He added that the Lough Swilly Railway book is “very unique and much sought after.”
“These books are very rare and are about different parts of Donegal. I have never seen copies of some of these books before and they have already created a lot of interest ahead of the fair. These are not books that you can buy on the open market,” he said.
‘Catechism of the laws on storms for use of sea officers’ by John MacNab is a 1902 publication and includes a fine collection of maps.
Other scarce books include a first edition of ‘Cumann na mBán 1913-1925’ by Lil Conlon, ‘Arming the Protestants – the formation of the RUC and the Ulster Special Constabulary 1920-1927’ and ‘Peace by Ordeal’ by Frank Pakenhan which includes a first hand account of negotiations during the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921.
Mr McIntyre stressed that all proceeds from Saturday’s sale will go towards the Donegal Branch of the Living Links. The charity, whose patron is GAA pundit Martin McHugh, provides a listening/support service free-of-charge to anyone who has in any way been affected by suicide.
There will also be a large selection of books on sale.
Assisted by Liam Hoey of Convoy, Danny runs the ‘House of Books’ bookshop next door to the Bank of Ireland in Ballybofey.
Mr McIntyre appealed for people not to throw away old or unwanted books, stamps, photos, postcards or coins and, instead, donate them to the shop.
For further information contact 074 91 31078 or mobile 087 6709568.
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