Gallery: Launch of book commemorating all those interred in Donegal Town cemetery

A new  book entitled In Loving Memory and dedicated to the memory of those interred at St Agatha’s Church, Clar, Donegal Town was launched on St Patrick’s Day.

It is the work of parishioners from the parish of Townawilly in partnership with the Clogher Le Chéile community group. The launch took place in St Patrick’s Parish Centre in Donegal Town ahead of the parade on St Patrick’s Day. 

This beautiful 330 page book includes a photograph of each of the 923 headstones in the graveyard;  the inscription on each together with the parish burial records and a brief history of the parish.  

The project has generated a great community spirit resulting in 30 people from various parts of the parish, young and old working together under the direction of the renowned archaeologist, John Tierney of Eachtra Heritage.  

The project took six months to complete and has created huge interest.  

The Foreword is written by Fr Niall Coll, Parish Priest and the book contains hitherto unpublished material from the Raphoe Diocesan Archive.   

The final product is truly an act of remembrance and love and will be of interest to many.  At a cost of €20, it will be a valuable resource not only to relatives of the deceased but also to anyone researching family trees throughout the world.  

Funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland and the Community Foundation for Ireland under the Energia Meenadreen Windfarm Community Benefit Fund, all proceeds from the sales are donated to the St Agatha’s, Clar new graveyard project. This is part of a wider project in Tawnawilly Parish which saw major repair and conservation work recently completed at St Patrick’s Church in Donegal Town.

The work on the church and the extension of the graveyard will ensure that these facilities at the core of parish life will be there for the community long into the future.