Local history on an epic scale
John Gilheaney
“THIS is the story of Breifne and Annaly and of the countless people who stayed put, or set forth, and who were often out on their own.”
Those words are from County Longford educator, community leader and local historian, Benedict ‘Benny’ Reid.
They come from Benny’s new book ‘Out On Our Own – A History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne’, set to be launched later this month at two special events.
A decade in the making, the scope of Benny’s book is huge; it is a major, 500-page folk-history on the rich heritage of Cavan, Leitrim and Longford and its people including the O’Reillys, the O’Rourkes and the O’Farrells.
Benny’s book brings history to life in multiple ways.
It features photographs of the landscape and monuments in the region. It also includes over 30 maps and detailed stories of local people from across the ages.
Benny writes: “The importance of local history is not just the story of a particular place, but the story of its people, the places they have gone and the history they have made or borne witness to.”
One of the book’s most poignant sections is on the number of people from our area who lost their lives on the Titanic in April 1912.
Benny writes: “Among them were three people from Cavan, one from Leitrim and a disproportionately high number of 14 from Longford. Thirteen passengers from Westmeath also lost their lives including Margaret Rice from Athlone and her five small children.”
Periods of history also covered in the book include the early Christian period, the Viking and Norman invasions and the colonisation by English and Scottish settlers.
The critical role the people of Annaly and Breifne played in pursuing Irish independence is covered in detail from the 1798 Rebellion, the Secret Societies of the 1800’s and the War of Independence.
There are lovely portraits, too, of notable figures such as the famous blind harpist Turlough O’ Carolan (born in Meath but raised in the Ballyfarnon area of Leitrim/North Roscommon), and Agnes O’ Farrelly, from Raffoney in Virgina.
Agnes was a pioneering academic and member of The Gaelic League. Her work appeared in The Anglo-Celt which, we are delighted to report, is also featured in Benny’s book.
He also writes of the “catalytic” effect newspapers had on Irish society in the 19th century.
Signed copies of Benny’s book will be available at two launch events. The first takes place at Longford Library today, Thursday, April 3, at 7pm.
Kathy Sheridan of the Irish Times is the special guest at that event.
The second is Friday, April 11, from 5:30-6:30pm, in Moyne with Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Niamh Smyth, in attendance.
Benny will be signing and selling copies of his books at both events, with copies of the book also available to buy in selected local outlets.