'Teathbha' 2026 is the perfect Christmas present for lovers of Longford history

There was a large attendance at the launch of Teathbha 2026, the Journal of County Longford Historical Society, in Longford Library on Wednesday evening.

This is the twenty-fourth edition and the third to be edited by Martin Morris.

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“We have a very dedicated group of members in the Historical Society,” explained Martin Morris, Longford County Archivist and the editor of Teathbha. “They come to lectures, to the AGM, and they come to any events like the launch of Teathbha.”

Martin believes the interest in local history is at an all time high:

“James MacNerney, my predecessor, was the one who made Teathbha an annual production. I think since it became an annual publication, which is some years ago now, people see it as part of the year.

“There's a lot of interest in local history in Longford. This is a time when it's in bloom in a big way.”

The enduring appeal of the publication is such that the fresh minted copies are very much in demand.

Martin remarked, “People love to read about places and people. Places that they know about or that they know something about, or people they may not have heard of, or in some cases they know a little about, but they want to know more. A lot of our contributors are local as well.

“Even the ones that don't live locally, some have local connections, but it's the local history that is really popular. It's one of those areas that's perennially popular. Teathbha is a celebration of the county. A celebration of what makes us unique.”

Every place has its own unique history, and each person's connection with the history is rooted in their life experience. The diversity of the stories in Teathbha is down to the contributors.

“The contributors are the people who make the journal,” Martin explains, “I have very little trouble getting new material, because people come forward with it. We have regulars, and we have newcomers, and we have people who are interested in a part of history. Year after year, they come back and they come up with new material.”

The launch was performed by Eamonn Brennan, retired school principal and local historian.

With Kitty Hughes acting as MC, proceedings began with an address by Cllr Niall Gannon, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council. He spoke of the value of the journal and how he uses it in the classroom in helping to teach local history.
Fr Tom Murray PP, vice-chairperson of the society, commended all involved in producing Teathbha.

Unfortunately, Dr Eileen Reilly was unable to attend, but Eamonn Brennan took her place. He outlined the contents of the journal with his inimitable blend of insight and wit, and congratulated the contributors on their work.

All of the speakers referred to the development of the county museum in Seán Connolly Barracks, which will fulfil one of the historical society’s long-held ambitions.

Teathbha 2026 contains a great variety of articles on Longford, beginning with archaeology and running through the centuries to our own time.

It includes a survey of the county’s archaeological sites; the ‘Black Pig’s Dyke’ or Duncla; local references in the Annals of Ulster; a possible origin of Longford’s name; and Rev. John Ker, Church of Ireland Dean of Ardagh.

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There is coverage of shootings in Colmcille in the 1820s; newspaper reporting of local people in Argentina; mining in the county; a forgotten Lanesboro sportsman; an Abbeyshrule nurse in the Great War; Longford’s ‘Patriotic Protestants’; Peter Duignan; Kenagh’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’; and important genealogical sources.

There is something for all history lovers in this year's annual.

Teathbha is on sale in several local outlets at €15 per copy and is an ideal Christmas present.