Photo Special: Famous Magh Ene Parish history back in print after 60 year plus sabbatical

Anthony Begley, local historian and former President of County Donegal Historical Society, launched the reprint of Fr. Paddy Gallagher’s book “Where Erne and Drowes Meet the Sea” at a well-attended event organised by the Magh Ene Historical Society in Bundoran Community Centre on Friday night last. 

The book was originally published back in 1961 by the late Fr Paddy, who was a noted historian and native of Bundoran. 

Guest speakers included Sean Boner, Chairperson of the Donegal Historical Society and Séamus McAnnaigh, Clogher Historical Society.

Other guests on the night included historians Helen Meehan and Declan O'Carroll with MC for the evening, Val O'Kelly, Chair of the local Historical Society.

Mr Begley paid a glowing tribute to Fr Paddy. He said that he was honoured to launch the book as Fr. Paddy had been a major influence in encouraging him to research and record local history back in the 1970s. 

Fr. Paddy’s philosophy was that unless people recorded local history it would be lost forever and his book on Magh Ene is clear evidence of this, as there are many gems recorded by him which otherwise would have been forgotten. 

Fr. Paddy Gallagher’s life began on Station Road Bundoran, in 1919, with his parents James and Catherine (nee Dolan) in a house now occupied by Brian McEniff and his family. 

Having attended local schools and St. Macartan’s College he was ordained to the priesthood at Maynooth in 1945 where he had also graduated in classics and ancient history. 

His priesthood began in the deserts of California and as a military chaplain with the U.S. Navy before returning to teach in St. Tiarnach’s College in Clones. He then served in many parts of the Clogher dioceses before finally settling as Parish Priest in Derrygonnelly Co. Fermanagh. 

He said that Fr. Gallagher was a pioneer who believed in self-help, both in establishing the first Credit Union in Ireland and became the first national President of the Credit Union movement. 

His interest in local history developed with the Clogher Historical Society and he became Editor of “The Clogher Record” and later President of the Society in 1954. He has the unique distinction of later becoming Editor of County Donegal Historical Society and President sixty years ago in 1962. 

Mr. Begley said that these achievements would never be matched and that Fr. Paddy was the most respected and prolific writer and lecturer in local history in Clogher and Donegal. 

A modest, passionate and humorous man, his lectures and writings are legendary and he brought history alive for everyone. In 1996 shortly before his death he was awarded a well-deserved doctorate by Maynooth University for his outstanding contribution to local history. 

“Where Erne and Drowes Meet the Sea” was published locally by the Donegal Democrat in Ballyshannon where his great friend Cecil King was the editor. Cecil in a tribute to Fr. Paddy said that as a priest he was exemplary, as a scholar eminent and as a sincere friend. 

Anthony Begley said that the book was a classic of local history, easy to read and rich in anecdotes, folklore, well-illustrated and great sources for anyone who wished to dig deeper. From earliest times up to the 1960s it reveals the history of the struggle for religious freedom, how Bundoran developed as a town, the development of schools from the hedge schools to the coming of the Louis Sisters. The book also focuses on the townlands both in Bundoran and those served by St. Joseph’s Church on the Rock which also features prominently in the book. 

Fr. Gallagher was passionate about where the Annals of the Four Masters were written and in one of the greatest debates in local history puts the case eloquently for an area called the Ross near Bundoran. 

The final section of the book on the inscriptions at Finner Graveyard Mr. Begley believed is an invaluable source for people tracing their roots. Not only are there inscriptions but also additional information about individual families and a very valuable index where families can quickly check for links. 

In 1996 the year of his death, the Transition year students at Bundoran V.E.C. (now Magh Ene College) updated his research on Finner graveyard and published their findings in The Donegal Annual as a tribute to Fr. Gallagher’s research. Anthony Begley concluded by congratulating Magh Ene Historical Society for reprinting “Where Erne and Drowes Meet the Sea” and introducing a wonderful local history to a new generation of local people.

Anthony Begley, local historian Ballyshannon with Mary Tighe and Carol Matthews.