Launch of new book Addergoole People and Culture - A Testament

LAHARDANE is the place to be on Monday, August 12, as a new genealogy book is set to be launched.

Addergoole People and Culture - a Testament is written by Peter McLoughlin and details the stories of the families of north Mayo’s Addergoole from the 1850s to the present day.

Fr. Brendan Hoban will officially launch the book in Lahardane Community Centre, with formalities starting at 8 p.m.

This is the latest in a collection of titles published by author and genealogist Peter McLoughlin, a native of Westport, who is living in Ballina for many years.

Just three years ago, he launched Drummin Families of Oughaval, Co. Mayo, about the people and places of his father’s homeplace. This followed his 2019 offering centred on his Ballina home, The People of Rathkip/Shanaghy, Ballina - 1855 and Beyond, and marking the silver anniversary of the Rathkip/Shanaghy Residents Association.

Prior to this, in 2016, following years of intense research and inspired by the stories of his mother’s homeplace, he published Partry People of Co. Mayo: Family Histories 1856 and Beyond.

Now, this latest title sees the spotlight placed on the civil parish of Addergoole in the barony of Tirawley.

The impressive book boasts over 700 pages of photographs, documents and newspaper snippets detailing over 170 years of local history. Like the author’s previous focus areas, the north Mayo parish has close personal links and is inspired by his father-in-law, the late Martin Syron, a native of Derrymartin, Addergoole.

Speaking ahead of the official launch, the author said: “I am thrilled that Fr. Brendan Hoban has agreed to launch the book. As an author himself, who recently published two sterling works on the Famine in the diocese, it means a lot to me that he will do the honours.

“This book has been a labour of love and after a lot of research, drafting and redrafting, I am thrilled with the result. I hope the people of the Addergoole parish and beyond will find it a useful resource and a record of their own people and place.”

The book is a fascinating account of the rich history of the Lahardane area and its environs. Detailing such high profile events as the 1912 sinking of the Titanic and its strong links with Lahardane, right through to the Great Depression and even the naming of MacHale Park in Castlebar.

Fascinating details of the life and times of individuals such as Irish Nationalist, newspaper editor and farmer, as well as friend of Michael Davitt, James Daly, who hailed from Boghadoon in Addergoole, are also recorded. The book even features references to UFOs and the lesser known Meejum of Guinness!

History is told through photograph and file, newspaper and local knowledge, as the steps of the Addergoole people are retraced forever.

“Compiling genealogical histories like this one is really a labour of love. The core concept is really to retain and celebrate our sense of place and our social history, as well as reminding people of the importance of their roots. There has been a huge increase in genealogy in recent years and people really appreciate the value of legacy and of the stories that span together to create our rich history. Mayo, in particular, is a county with so many stories to tell and I hope this book helps record some of those fascinating times,” added the author.

Indeed, the author’s brother, author and poet, Padraig McLoughlin has penned a poem as part of the launch celebration, which Peter McLoughlin says perfectly sums up the rationale behind the study of genealogy: “I love the lines: ‘Be proud of your lineage of shadows. Be grateful to them. Be inspired by them and your shadows still to come will be inspired by you.’ People and the past are at the heart of a project like this. That’s what it is all about.”

The cover was designed by Jon Berry, a relative of the author, who created a collage of photographs illustrating rural traditions and also incorporated photographs from the famous Leonard collection.

An open invitation is extended to attend the official launch of the book at 8 p.m. on August 12 at Lahardane Community Centre. The book will be available to purchase on the night at a reduced price of €30 and will then go on general sale in local bookshops at €35.