Michael D Higgins congratulates Kilcar's Christy Gillespie on ‘magnificent’ book

Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins has described the work of a Donegal man as “magnificent.”

In June, Christy Gillespie released The Road to Glenlough. It tells the history of the remote and monumental valley of Glenlough in south-west Donegal. It’s in the heart of a Gaeltacht area and forms the border between the parishes of Glencolmcille and Ardara. Where this valley meets the Atlantic has been described as “Ireland’s finest coastal walk” in the book Mountain and Coastal Hillways, A Walking Guide.

“On Thursday I got the opportunity of presenting a copy of The Road to Glenlough to the President, Michael D. Higgins, and his wife Sabina, in Áras an Uachtaráin,” Christy said. “He would later describe the book as “magnificent” in his after-lunch speech to guests. I wish to thank them both for the invitation to Brona and myself and for the wonderful hospitality afforded us on the day. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an able statesman.”

Christy grew up in Kilcar, enjoyed an illustrious playing career with the local GAA club and became a national school teacher, following in the footsteps of his late parents, Mary and Dan. He taught at the Scoil Cholmcille in Letterkenny before he was appointed principal of Termon NS in 1993. He has been retired now for six years.