The largest book in the Irish language ever-written by a single author was recently launched at the National Museum of Ireland in Mayo.
Compiled by Dr Fiachra Mac Gabhann, Logainmneacha Mhaigh Eo comprises almost 7,500 pages and is divided into 10 volumes corresponding mainly to Mayo’s baronies.
The author told Irish Genealogy News: "The work took over a decade to complete and features collected historical references to the 3,500 townland and island names of Mayo with attendant linguistic analysis, proposed Irish forms of the names (with translations), collections of non-administrative local names from western parts of the county (such as Achill and Inishturk), complete with indices in both languages.
"The historical references span from the writings of Bishop Tírechán (late 600s) to the Ordnance Survey of 1838."
An extensive array of sources in several languages were employed and over 300 local people were interviewed and recordings of Mayo Irish speakers from the last half century explored.
This mighty work has been published in a limited print edition by Coiscéim; all ten volumes are also available on a cd in pdf format. To obtain a copy, contact Gnó Mhaigh Eo on (094) 9047027.