THE cover of the recently released 2013 Donegal Annual features Derek Hill’s painting ‘Harvesting at St Columb’s.’
Published by the County Donegal Historical Society, the 150 pages inside contain a rich historical harvest of articles and photographs.
The entire county is spanned in the 20 articles in the book, along with a section on book reviews, recent Donegal bibliography and the schools competition, makes for a most enjoyable and informative read.
Mr Seán Beattie, the editor of the Annual, looks at the history of photography in the county with plenty of photos included.
Worthy of note is another contributor, Helen Meehan from Mountcharles, who focuses on the early Gaelic revival in the Donegal Bay area. This is Helen’s 23rd consecutive year to write for the Annual, a magnificent achievement in literary local history.
Arnold Bax is a name many people will not be familiar with. However, Kenneth Dodds explains how this Englishman came to spend much of his time in Donegal 100 years ago, mastered the Irish language and visited remote regions such as Glencolmcille, Arranmore and Innishkeeragh.
A writer and classical musician, whose time in Donegal influenced him and his writings immensely, he described the Glencolmcille people as the best in Ireland.
Rev Raymond Blair writes in similar vein “Opposing high taxation and praising the Irish people”, in which he examines some aspects of landlordism.
Éamonn Ó’Ceallaigh contributes an article in Irish on “Domhnall MacDiarmada: File Ghaothbearra”, the poet from Gweebarra.
Also, Ross Cooper solves that mystery on where the castle is that gives Castlefinn its name.
Inishowen is featured strongly – at least three articles focus on the peninsula, about the O’Doherty castle at the Isle of Doagh; the Illies in the 19th century and Carrowmore.
The annual will be launched by Dr Joe Mulholland, Director of the MacGill Summer School in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, on
Tuesday, November 12, at 8.30 pm. Everyone welcome.
For full details of the Society, go to www.donegalhistory.com
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