Brought to book: Longford author Benny Reid delves into fascinating history of Annaly and Breifne

“It's a history of people,” Benny Reid says describing his first foray as a published author.

Out on Our Own: A History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne delves into the heritage of Longford and parts of the surrounding region, including counties Leitrim and Cavan.

Ahead of Thursday's official launch by Irish Times Journalist Kathy Sheridan, who has roots in north Longford, Benny spoke to the Leader about the detailed research that brought the book into being.

“So often our history teaching is subjective rather than objective,” the author said, “We deal with events, we deal with Cromwell in spades, we deal with 1798 in spades. At the same time we're never made aware that the last place in Ireland to be conquered by the British, was that ruled by the O'Reilly's of Cavan, who held out until the summer of 1653. After those leaders were gone, with the wild geese, the people were left to fend for themselves, and we know very little about them.”

Also Read: Eyes on the prize: Longford apprentice electrician in contention for €10,000 winnings

A dedicated Gaeilgeoir and member of the Longford Historical Society and Cumann Seanchais Bhreifne, Benny's book is part of ongoing efforts to preserve the rich heritage of his local community.

An educator, community leader and passionate local historian he lives in County Longford with his wife, Catherine Keavney, and they are the proud parents of five and grandparents of ten.

The book aims to look beyond the familiar figures of the past and shine a light on the supporting actors who shaped the region in which we live.

“We know lots about Saint Patrick, but we know very little about other saints. The contemporaries of Patrick and Colmcille. Saints that were here before the Vikings, who gave their names to at least 60 place names in counties Cavan, Leitrim and Longford,” he explained.

Also Read: Longford allocated €2m under major national social housing investment

The research uncovered many interesting facts about local area names: “I didn't know until I started my research that the townland of Kilmahon, out beside Ballinamuck, has nothing to do with the Mahons. It's the monastery, or the cell, of Saint Moínenn. He was a contemporary of Colmcille.”

Names such as Killasnet, Leitrim, or Taghshinny, Longford, or Kilina in Cavan all bear the names of saints: “We know very little about many of these saints, for example Saint Brona, who gives her name to Clonbrony.”

Out on Our Own aims to bring that history to life and do justice to the story of the people: “This book is scratching the surface. Nine years ago I was asked to do something about the religious from our parish in Colmcille.

“I discovered that, apart from priests, there was also a large number of nuns, a Christian brother, all adding to our rich history.”

Also Read: Tops: Drumlish Ballinamuck announced as top area at Longford Community Games gala awards

Benny cites the research undertaken by Father Frank Gray on Father Edward O'Reilly, from Rossduff, who was born in 1865, ordained in 1890. Fr Gray went to Australia, where he worked under the bishop in Perth, Matthew Gibney, who was from outside Arva.

“That priest, Fr O'Reilly, spent 25 years, literally on horseback, over the largest diocese in the world. The diocese of Perth spanned from north to south Australia.

“It covered thousands of square miles. He served in 12 different parishes there, always on horseback. He was presented with a ticket home in January 1916. We've traced his life up to that, and his voyage back to Plymouth.

“We know nothing of him until he arrived home in Fostra, to his cousin's house, with serious gunshot wounds, the week after the Easter Rising. He died in Fostra, four months later, on August 29. His death was not reported anywhere at the time, except by Dr Gray the GP in Drumlish.”

The detective work of historic research uncovered many details: “I believed that suppression was the conservatism of the then Bishop of Arda, Dr Hoare. I thought perhaps, in some way, he covered up the news of a priest being involved.

Also Read: Congratulations: Longford student Jill celebrates graduation at DCU

“When I got more into it, I discovered that well over 60 priests were involved in ministering during the Easter Rising, even though RTE made light of all that in their Rebellion series.

“I'm pretty convinced it was because of the declaration of martial law, in the second week after the Rising.”

The blanket internment of GAA officials, volunteers, Irish speakers all based on the lists compiled by the Royal Irish

Constabulary was a significant factor in the silence of the time. Uncovering such details is the reward for the hours of research.
Benny feels the book will be of interest to anyone with a curiosity about local history: “I went to school in Moyne, and Mels. My wife's people are from Butlersbridge. I think people from Longford, Leitrim and Cavan will appreciate this book.

“That was originally Connaught territory between the three rivers, the Erne, the Shannon and the Innie. It was preserved as Gaelic territory until they were dislodged by the Cromwellians in 1653.”

Out on Our Own acknowledges how the diaspora came about and the factors that influenced migration from this area: “It's to remind our people that they have an illustrious past, even if it was interrupted for two centuries between the Battle of the Boyne and the Famine.

“From 1800 until the present day over 1,000 Kilmore priests and over 600 Moyne Latin School priests, and another 500 other Longford priests went all over the world. In particular they went to the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Argentine.

“They were followed by other Irish, they recruited Irish teachers, and I believe those people are responsible for the Irish diaspora, the 90 million people across the world today.”

The influence is far reaching: “It's a known fact that in the year 1906, there were, as far as I recall off the top of my head, six archbishops in Australia.

“Every one of those archbishops was either Irish-born or of immediate Irish descent, and it was much the same in the United States.”

That diaspora developed a huge political clout: “Woodrow Wilson, who had Ulster heritage, refused to support the initial Dáil in 1920-21. He was a Republican.

“When the next US Presidential election came along in November 1921, his preferred candidate was defeated by eight million votes, the highest defeat of a president in American history.

“There are many other connections like this. Back 100 years earlier, the father of the fourth vice president of the United States, George Clinton, came from Corboy. His name was Charles and his wife was Deniston, both came from Longford and the Denistons are still around here today.”

Out on Our Own: A History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne by author Benny Reid will be launched in Longford Library this Thursday, April 3. The event starts at 7pm and all are welcome to attend.

The book received some funding support from Longford County Council's Small Grant Scheme for Local Books and will be available to purchase at the event for the special price of €32. It will also be available after the event at several outlets for the regular price of €35.