Gowna and Aughnacliffe feature heavily in Cavan author’s latest releases
Renowned historian Frank Columb latest contribution to Irish folklore looks set to generate much interest across the north Longford and Co Cavan border.
The experienced writer, himself a Cavan native who grew up in Loch Gowna has just released two further contributions to local history-’The Shooting of More O’Ferrall’ and ‘Potpourri and Pot Pour-out’.
Much like his earlier writings, both carry a strong north Longford dimension to them, as summed up by the man himself.
“The Shooting of More O’Ferrall is an extension of my first book on the subject,” he said, earlier this week. “It contains added material acquired through research and through information kindly given by the More O’Ferrall families.”
From headings such as ‘love and marriage’ to ‘murder and valour’, Columb said the 260 page offering has a distinctive austere flavour to it.
“The book contains a study of the people and town of Edgeworthstown and of the people and region of The Lough Gowna Valley,” he explained.
“The murder of Richard More O’Farrell was the main reason for the banning of the IRA and there are major Loch Gowna and Aughnacliffe connections with the tragedy.”
Perhaps slightly more informal and with an unmistakeable colloquial semblance to it is Columb’s ‘Potpourri and Pot Pour-out’.
The first in an expected three part set of releases, its main subject homes in on the north Longford village of Aughnacliffe.
As Columb himself admits, the book boasts a range of light-hearted as well as more sombre tales of local mythology.
“There is the sad story of a Longford man who was killed in (Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong) Custer’s infamous battle of the Little Bighorn River (1876). Three Co Cavan men and a Co Leitrim man were also in Custer’s ill-fated army, but who were unhurt,” he said, revealing also tales of an Irish cannibal and the re-awakening of sporting traditions in Colmcille.
Both publications cost €15 and are on sale from the following outlets: Crannog Bookshop, Cavan; Sloane’s Post Office, Loch Gowna; White’s store, Loch Gowna; John Lynch’s supermarket, Arva; Bleakley’s supermarket and post office, Moyne Cross; Costcutter supermarket, Smear, Aughnacliffe; McLoughlin’s supermarket and post office, Aughnacliffe; Grafton Court Bookshop, Longford and Eason’s of Longford and Dublin.
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