Finding the Lost Book of Bundoran, a search that began in 2007 

By Michael McHugh
Published 22nd Jul 2024, 10:33 GMT
Bundoran native Eddie Keenaghan in his Texas homeplaceholder image
Bundoran native Eddie Keenaghan in his Texas home

Texas based Bundorn native Eddie Keenaghan feels that the reason he 'found this guide-book is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants'. He dedicates finding Connolly’s guide-book to three of those giants–to the local historians that have guided and inspired him: the late Bundoran historian Fr. Paddy Gallagher, Ballyshannon historian Anthony Begley and Belleek historian Joe O’Loughlin.

Bundoran’s lost history book, Rev. T.C. Connolly’s Bundoran and its Neighbourhood, 1895 has been found by Eddie Keenaghan, a Bundoran writer, poet, and Phd student living in Texas.

Eddie, also goes by his Irish name Éamon Ó Caoineachán, is a native son of Bundoran from the old Keenaghan family of Rathmore. 

He is the son of former architect, John Keenaghan, and artist, Jacqueline Keenaghan. 

His grandad and granny, Dan and Mary Keenaghan ran a full-board boarding house, shop and B&B in St. Patrick’s House, East End, Bundoran for many years.

Eddie’s hope when he discovered this lost guide-book of Bundoran was that "it would return to the people of Bundoran". 

Eddie feels that the reason he "found this guide-book is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants”. He dedicates finding Connolly’s guide-book to three of those giants–to the local historians that have guided and inspired him: the late Bundoran historian Fr. Paddy Gallagher, Ballyshannon historian Anthony Begley and Belleek historian Joe O’Loughlin.placeholder image
Eddie feels that the reason he "found this guide-book is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants”. He dedicates finding Connolly’s guide-book to three of those giants–to the local historians that have guided and inspired him: the late Bundoran historian Fr. Paddy Gallagher, Ballyshannon historian Anthony Begley and Belleek historian Joe O’Loughlin.

ABOVE: Eddie going through the copy of the book that had been lost for over a century

Finding the book is extremely significant and a positive discovery for the Bundoran and Donegal historical communities because as Eddie said it is "the first and original guide-book of Bundoran and its neighbourhood that historically promotes the North West of Ireland as a tourist destination - a unique work of travel literature".

Eddie started looking for the book after the passing of one of his family giants, his grandad Dan Keenaghan in 2007. 

He was at a crossroads in his life after suffering through his teenage years with football injuries that impacted his promising football career, which ended after a couple of professional trials in England and France and a spell with Finn Harps F.C. He chose to follow his creative side. placeholder image
He was at a crossroads in his life after suffering through his teenage years with football injuries that impacted his promising football career, which ended after a couple of professional trials in England and France and a spell with Finn Harps F.C. He chose to follow his creative side. 

ABOVE: The cover of the rediscovered Bundoran book, first published in 1895

Years later, he was all the more determined to find the book after the passing of another family giant, his granny Mary Keenaghan in 2021. Eddie said that he "made a heavenly promise to his grandad and granny to find this lost book".

Eddie "felt compelled to find this lost history book–not just on behalf of his own family, but on behalf of all Bundoran families–old and new". He found the book with the kind help and assistance of another Keenaghan, his first cousin, Joanne Keenaghan, a Dublin based architect.

This book is a transatlantic find. After years of searching, he found a copy in the National Library of Ireland and another copy of the book in a private collection in the U.S. Eddie said that "by finding the book he fulfilled his heavenly promise to his grandad and granny".

One part of the guide-book that Eddie would like to share is a poem. Eddie said that this poem was written by the Rev. Murray and that “it is one of the most significant finds in the book". The late Bundoran native and Donegal historian, Fr. Paddy Gallagher stated it is "The first modern poem” of Bundoran, which has now been turned into a song by Eddie’s uncle Paudge Keenaghan.placeholder image
One part of the guide-book that Eddie would like to share is a poem. Eddie said that this poem was written by the Rev. Murray and that “it is one of the most significant finds in the book". The late Bundoran native and Donegal historian, Fr. Paddy Gallagher stated it is "The first modern poem” of Bundoran, which has now been turned into a song by Eddie’s uncle Paudge Keenaghan.

ABOVE: Eddie dedicated the finding of this poem to musician and histprian,  the late Marc Geagan 

Eddie dedicates finding this poem and song in memory of the recently passed musician and historian, Marc Geagan, and to his beloved family.

Eddie's words reflect the way that the Bundoran community feels about Marc: "May his spirit shine through this book, poem and song–eternally Dancing by the Sea".

Eddie is true to his word. He has now created a website to share the book that is free and accessible to the people of Bundoran and its neighbourhood www.bundorananditsneighbourhood.com

He says that he is long due a visit home and hopes that this will be on his radar in 2025. 

Related topics:BundoranTexas
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