In Pictures: Launch of beautiful Donegal book celebrates people, place, tradition

A fantastic evening of stories, song, memories and verse was enjoyed at Mountcharles Past and Present Volume 3 was launched. Click on the arrows to see Siobhan McGowan's photos of the event:

The event took place in Jimmy’s Tavern, Mountcharles, where local musicians, the Doorin Point Connection entertained those gathered. Local historian Helen Meehan declared the book launched, thanking everyone for their input and acknowledging its importance for new historical material, photographic collections, and snapshots of village life. 

This was echoed by Kathleen Ayres, who said: “For those who provided articles, stories, prose, poetry, photographs, old press copies, and those who shared their stories verbally, it wouldn’t have happened without you. 

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“Special word of thanks to Susan Rose for allowing us to access Owen Gillespie’s amazing treasure trove of photographs, and to the late Kathleen Carr who entrusted me with a treasured scrapgroup of Mountcharles ICA from its inception in 1939.

“I would like to thank all who helped fund printing and publication - Donegal County Council and in particular, Cllrs Noel Jordan, Jimmy Brogan and Micheál Naughton for their contributions from the Members Development Fund; Donegal Town Credit Union;  Jeremiah O’Driscoll and other members of the Mountcharles Heritage and Walking Group; the Clogheravaddy Windfarm Community Development Fund.”

A number of contributors to the book read excerpts, recalling some of the great characters and personalities of Mountcharles and sharing memories of life in the village. Skills and traditions such as stonemasonry, music and literature were celebrated, and local folklore also featured.

The evening concluded with Winifred McNutly who said: “Tonight we have only dipped our toes into Mountcharles Past and Present. Many wonderful stories remains to be enjoyed, stories gathered from grandparents by schoolchildren in the area, magical histories of growing up in Mountcharles, of mining at Drumkeelan, of Glencoagh Radio, of Cahir Healy and Seamus McManus, of Inver Creamery, of farming practices, Mountcharles’ connection with medicine, and countless precious photos of people who lived and loved in Mountcharles.

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“Today it is still possible to hear that echo of the children’s call - what time is the tide? - as people swim all year round at the piers. Heritage is not static, and this area goes on developing - art, weaving, music, gardens, writing, film, dry stone wall building. People are the creators of heritage and the collectors of history, and what an important task it is in this world of forgetting. 

“I feel there are still many stories; some will be passed between you tonight, some maybe can’t make their way into print!”

Winifred paid tribute to the work of Helen Meehan for collecting stories and for her lifelong contribution to recording history and heritage. 

And there was a special word of thanks for Kathleen Ayres.

“She has done much of the hard graft behind this lovely volume,” said Winifred. “Without Kathleen this book would not exist.”

This wonderful third collection capturing Mountcharles Past and Present is available in the Four Masters Bookshop and other outlets locally.