New book by Mayo historian Terry Reilly

Ballina author and local historian, Terry Reilly’s latest book, Ballina & Area People, takes a meander back in time mostly as he goes on the trail of great people.

Some emigrated. Some stayed at home. All made their mark.

Not surprisingly, he kicks off with Joe Biden, America’s newest President, and marvels that this son of Ballina has become the most powerful man in the world in the most catastrophic of times.

Who were his ancestors locally? Where did they live? When did they emigrate? Will he get time to fulfil his promise to revisit Ballina, faced as he is with daunting challenges?

The author also solves a mystery that has haunted him for over forty years.

What became of Ballina Stephenites’ ‘greatest captain’, Andy Corcoran, who emigrated in 1910 and disappeared into thin air?

Reilly walked past Corcoran’s unmarked grave thousands of miles from Ballina without realising just how close he was to ending his quest!

Then there is Pat Herbert who emigrated to England from Ardagh, near Ballina, and found himself serving late-night drinks to Winston Churchill’s film star daughter, Sarah.

Having interviewed Fr. Patrick Peyton, the Rosary Priest, many times, and an avowed admirer, it will not come as a surprise to learn that there is indeed a chapter on the Attymas legend and his worldwide crusade and how he did not baulk at taking assistance from the US CIA for his South American rallies.

Explored too is the amazing life of Ballina-born Jim Donnelly, an extraordinary footballer and coach to some of the leading clubs in Europe as fascism spread before WW2.

In all, twenty-six main characters feature, with a supporting cast of many more.

Signed copies of this limited hardcover edition are available online from the author at http://www.terry-reilly.com/, http://www.northmayogenealogy.com/ (click on Bookstore) and https://www.mayobooks.ie/.

Retail outlets include Easons, and Ernie Caffrey, Garden Street, Ballina, Jackie Clarke Collection, Ballina Tourist Office, Mayo Books, Castle Street, Castebar, and Seamus Duffy, Westport.