A Chronology of Midwest Donegal: The Civil Parishes of Inishkeel, Lettermacaward & Killybegs Lower from Earliest Times to 2019

Social, religious, education, political and sporting events from a number of parishes in Midwest Donegal down through the years have been brought to life in a new book that was launched in November.

              A Chronology of Midwest Donegal: The Civil Parishes of Inishkeel, Lettermacaward & Killybegs Lower from Earliest Times to 2019 – a detailed and comprehensive limited edition book, the latest work by Tom Plunkett, principal of St. Conal’s N.S., Narin, Portnoo, Donegal. The profits will be donated to St. Conal’s National School.

              This 100-page, A4, softcover chronology (80,000 words) features events relating to social, commercial, religious, educational, political and sporting themes in the Ardara, Doochary, Fintown, Glenties, Lettermacaward, Narin, Portnoo and Rosbeg areas of Midwest Donegal from earliest recorded times until 2019. The purpose of the work is to chart the development of the communities thereabouts and to record how areas prospered or regressed at various times, depending on circumstances.

              When reading the entries for a given year, the reader can get a sense of how the people were interacting and competing with each other, while fashioning a social, political, commercial, sporting and cultural life for themselves.

              It is hoped that this book can be a useful starting point for anyone wishing to locate information on the history of this region. One may merely dip one’s toes in a particular period or read the timeline from start to finish. It will catalogue the growth of the villages and towns mentioned in the title, record events during the Famine, illustrate the local agrarian and political agitation of the late 1800s and early 1900s, record the many local deaths in the Great War, highlight incidents during the revolutionary years, and tease out domestic controversies which, at times, garnered national attention.

              A citation to the fact described is always provided, so readers can locate the source material for themselves and explore further. The excellent research of several top-notch local historians is acknowledged throughout, not to mention the treasure troves that are Dearcadh and Dúchas magazines.

              Copies will be on general sale in local shops and will retail at €15. For any other information, please contact Tom Plunkett at [tplunkett@stconals.ie](mailto:tplunkett@stconals.ie)

Note by Barry: Deb and I bought copies of this book and I was very impressed reading it. It is no doubt aimed at present occupants of this part of Donegal, but as a part of a family who left Loughros Point several generations ago, I too found it interesting history.  Good job, Tom!

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