Launching tomorrow evening, Ballycroy and Beyond is a book that people with family connections to NorthWest Mayo will enjoy as a treasure trove of (mainly 19th-century) social history in and around Ballycroy, Erris, Achill and Mulranny.
The author, Patrick Mullarkey is a native of Claggan, Ballycroy, and he has gathered together facts and stories about school life, housing conditions, local murders, the Land League, religious disharmony (including a list of nearly 200 converts), tenants' parties at the Big House and all manner of every day and extraordinary happenings in the area. He has also found visitor accounts dating back to the 1770s.
The 600-page book will be launched at 7pm on Saturday 12 September at the Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre, Ballycroy, Westport, Co Mayo. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome to attend.
Ballycroy and Beyond will be on sale at the event, priced €25.
More details about the book, including images, chapter synopses and online ordering can be found at http://ballycroyandbeyond.com.