Louth author captures stories of Cooley in her new book

Author Anne Carroll is set to launch her book  ‘Gold Dust in these Hills’ about Cooley where she has lived all her life.

Anne, who was born, reared and has spent all her life living in Cooley, has just completed the writing of a book based on her much-loved peninsula.

With the turning of each page, the power of Anne’s pen has preserved many old stories of her homeland. 

Filled with an urgency to record her past, the ink flowed with speed from her pen, Anne said.

In vibrant colour, Anne’s windows of memories open as she paints pictures of her idyllic childhood in a whitewashed cottage, nestled in the heart of the Cooley peninsula.

READ NEXT: Jam-packed lineup of live music in Dundalk's Toales this week

Her tiny toes found their footing upon the soil of a rugged and wondrous land.  Daily, much of the beauty of nature was brushed by a young girl’s fingertips.

The book speaks of the solidarity of a rural community, when threats of disease ravished their farms. It celebrates a community’s strength, as they gradually emerged triumphant over great adversity.

Anne’s father was one of 90 workers employed on the farm of JP Kearney in Willville. They were the last generation to toil the land upon their knees along the long drills of the fields of Cooley. 

The memory of this brave and resilient generation of people is now honoured, by a child of theirs within the pages of this book ‘Gold Dust in these Hills’.

As last winter’s fierce winds howled over Ardaghy, on the higher reaches of Omeath, stories from aged lips were quietly released.

Out on the far eastern coast of Cooley, along the shores of Ballagan and Whitestown, more memories were shared. Logs crackled in the grate, flames flickered, shooting up towards the chimney breast as one by one, the voices of wisdom , experience and reason calmly spoke. 

The pages of this book now preserve for safe-keeping, words spoken from 15 of the oldest residents of the Cooley peninsula. Through the lens of time, each one of these people have viewed 90 years and more of summer sunsets.

This book holds their memories intact, ensuring that a trace will remain as the mists of time fall softly upon them.

The launching of the book will be the coming together of a rural community to celebrate their unique past.  It will be a night when they will fondly remember and honour the calibre of the people who walked the fields of Cooley before them. 

It is hoped that many of the treasured people whose stories feature in the book, will be in attendance on the night.

The pages of the book, with its words and colour photographs, speaks volumes of the beauty of the rural peninsula; its people and their way of life.

Anne said she is delighted to be able to support a wonderful local organisation, The Carlingford Omeath Red Cross, through the sales of her book.  A token of appreciation for the fantastic service and support which this voluntary organisation has given over a long number of years to many people in Cooley.

Michael Commins, well-known Journalist, Radio and TV presenter will officially launch the book. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served on the night.

A warm Cooley welcome awaits everyone in the Liberties Suite, Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford.  Tuesday 21st October 7.30 pm sharp.