New book by the former Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair

A new book titled ‘ Na Cruacha inné agus inniu’ by An Dr. Oirmh. Pádraig Ó Baoighill former Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair will be launched on Friday,  November 17.  The launch will take place on the opening night of Éigse Sheagáin Bháin in Fintown. This annual event takes place in Árás Sheagháin  Bháin.  Na Cruacha townland was once a vibrant community but now it is sadly abandoned.

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 Pobal Scoil 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 like an ‘tUltach’  and in the ‘Donegal Annual’ and this is the third book from him. He had a  475-page book titled  “Cardinal Patrick O’Donnell 1856-1927”  which was launched in September 2010. That was followed in October 2019 with the launch of his book “Andaí Chondaí Jeaic, Seanchaí Chlochar na nGabhar”. That book focus on Andy McDevitt who  was born in 1914 and he passed away in September, 2014.  He was an acknowledged expert on weather signs and had a vast store of knowledge on local folklore. He was also a renowned story-teller.