Stunning new book on North Mayo parish

There was a capacity crowd at the Lahardane Community Centre on Monday, August 12 last, to mark the official launch of the magnificent new book Addergoole, People and Culture - A Testament. The event took place just ahead of the annual Lahardane Harvest Fair Day Festival, celebrating local tradition and heritage.

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! There really is something for everyone! History is told through photograph and file, newspaper and local knowledge, as the steps of the Addergoole people are retraced forever.

Launching the book, Fr Brendan Hoban praised what he called "one of the greatest bodies of historical work on a single parish" and lauded the amount of historical data gathered, analysed and compiled for the comprehensive 700-page publication. 

"This book will be an invaluable point of reference for years to come," he said.

While the area's links with the Titanic tragedy are widely known, Fr Hoban also outlined the extreme level of poverty in Addergoole parish during the Great Famine where a huge percentage lived in "fourth-class housing" or single room dwellings with no window or chimney. He paid tribute to the resilience of the community and reminded those in attendance of the importance of our history and our roots.

Author, Peter McLoughlin, called the project "a labour of love", recalling how his late father-in-law, Martin Syron, of Derrymartin, asked him to look at the family's genealogy back in 2005. 

"This project has been going on since then and I am thrilled to see it reach fruition. I want to acknowledge the support and help of all those who kept me on task. While major events in history are of course significant, for me a work like this shines a light on the everyday person and their own stories."

Anne Sweeney was MC on the night and speakers also included parish priest Fr John Reilly and the author's brother-in-law, Gerard Syron.

Attendees also had a chance to view and purchase a number of vintage items on display courtesy of the Ballina St Vincent de Paul, where Peter McLoughlin is a long-standing volunteer, bringing history and community care together.

Addergoole, People and Culture - A Testament is available in all local bookshops.