Na Cruacha Gorma inné agus inniu a work of historical importance

The author of a new book titled ‘Na Cruacha Gorma inné agus inniu’ hopes that the book will ensure that the rich history of the area will be preserved for many years to come.

The book which was written by an Dr. Oirmh. Pádraig Ó Baoighill, the former Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair and was launched on the opening night of Éigse Sheagáin Bháin in Fintown.

The book gives an account of Na Cruacha Gorma. In the 1901 census, two hundred people lived in the area, by 1911 the population had increased to 236. The area where the vibrant community once lived is now home to abandoned homes and wandering sheep.

In his work, Father Ó Baoighill has taken the time to document these empty homes and outline who lived in them. Photographs of the homes can be found in the second section of his book. Ó Baoighill says that these homes are an important part of the historical landscape of the area.

The people of the area were kind-hearted and generous and having a magnificent command of the language and all pertaining to it - they were keen to share their knowledge with the folklorist Seán Ó hEochaidh who described this area as the last true Gaeltacht in Tirconnell.

Academics from across the world came to the Cruacha during that time to speak to the people there among them were Heinrich Wagner, Caoimhín Ó Danachair, Séamus Ó Duilearga, Lisbeth Osberg and Séamus Ó Catháin among many others. The area also attracted the best of traditional Irish musicians such as John Simí Ó Dochartaigh and his brother Micí and the late Séamus Ennis.

They were very much to the fore in terms of storytelling and testament to that is the story of Anna Nic a’ Luain who lived there from 1884 and 1953. It is understood that Anna could neither read nor write but was fascinating insofar as she could recount endless stories, songs and riddles. Scholars traveled from near and far to interview her.

Ó Baoighill’s book offers an insight into her work by containing a translation of an article written about her by the German A.E. Johann Wóllshlager. Pól Ó Seachnasaigh richly enhanced the work carried out by Ó hEochaidh by studying the work of folklorist work and publishing the book Amhráin Anna John Chiot.

The author is a son of the late Eibhlín and Pádraig Ó Baoighill, Fintown and is the eldest of a family of twelve. He was ordained at St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny on June 30, 1991. An Dr. Pádraig’s first appointment after his ordination was chaplain of Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and he remained in that position until his appointment as Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair. He has spent over twenty five years serving there. He had spent three years studying at the University of Ulster for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy [D.Phil]. He retired last year. He is former President of Co. Donegal Historical Society. He delivered Léacht an Oireachtais at Oireachtas na Gaeilge which was held in Gaoth Dobhair in 2002. He had articles published in magazines such as an ‘tUltach’ and in the ‘Donegal Annual’ and this is his third book.

His other works include Cardinal Patrick O’Donnell 1856-1927 and Andaí Chondaí Jeaic, Seanchaí Chlochar na nGabhar.