Rich Loughros place-lore recorded in new book
Loughros Heritage Group is delighted to announce the launch of its new publication, called ‘Pointe Luacharois, Loughros Point: Placenames and Tales of Nooks and Crannies’. The publication is the culmination of a multi-year project which began in 2015 when the Loughros Heritage Group was founded.
A spokesperson for Loughros Heritage Group said: “When we initially came together we were acutely aware of the rapid loss of placenames and their associated knowledge and knew it was paramount that we took action to record them for posterity. Since then, the group has been actively working with the local community and diaspora and have recorded 600 placenames across 16 townlands.”
The 174 page, A4 publication contains a breakdown by townland of each of the placenames which derive from Irish, English and Scots. The origins of the placenames recorded are various, such as mythology and folklore, an event or particular use or may even relate to family or person. This rich oral repository shows that our ancestors had an innate connection and understanding of their surrounding landscape.
The spokesperson further added: “We were extremely fortunate during the production of the publication for the invaluable assistance of Desmond Gallagher (Designated Media) and Donnchadh Ó Baoill, Rann na Feirste, a member of the Irish Placenames Committee. Desmond worked tirelessly on the design and layout and has brought the publication to a high professional standard. Donnchadh provided expert advice on the translation, spelling and proofreading of placenames and we are honoured that he has agreed to launch the publication.
The publication is part funded by Creative Ireland through the ‘Culture and Creativity Grant Scheme’, Donegal County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Pointe Luacharois, Loughros Point: Placenames and Tales of Nooks and Crannies will be launched on Saturday 22 nd April at 3pm in the Parish Centre, Ardara (adjacent to the Church of the Holy Family), eircode: F94 VX98 and will be available to purchase priced €20. Following the event, the publication will be available in local outlets. In order to gauge the number of attendees, the group are asking those who are interested in attending the launch to please email: loughrosheritagegroup@gmail.com.