Mohill native Fiona Slevin launches her much-anticipated book 'By hereditary virtues, a history of Lough Rynn' in the appropriate setting of Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill on Thursday evening, October 26.
"The mention of the name Lord Leitrim can still evoke strong feelings and memories in the people of county Leitrim. Although nearly 130 years have passed since the local landlord was assassinated, the impact of this time and tenure on the people of
the area has only in recent years begun to dissipate," says Fiona.
Fiona Slevin, in her acutely researched book, focuses on the various Lords of Leitrim and the Clements family of Lough Rynn Estate, but it also goes back as far as the original settlement of the area by the Mac Raghnaills in the 600s and gives a further summary of Lough Rynn in the 20th century after the reign of Lord Leitrim.
The original hardback book which was first published as a monograph in 1997 is a compelling read that encompasses the history of Mohill, Leitrim and Ireland for the past 150 years.
Fiona Slevin's book describes the lives of the people from the poorest labourers to the richest landlords and sets these in the context of major national events especially the Great Famine.
It looks at the life of the notorious Lord Leitrim, his reputation as a despotic oppressor and his work as a radical liberal who worked to improve the welfare of the land.
With the re-opening of Lough Rynn Castle as a luxurious hotel this book provides a comprehensive history to accompany the myth of the mysterious Castle.
But this book is not restricted to the castle grounds. It brings to life the people who lived on the estate, in Mohill, County Leitrim and surrounding areas with colourful stories passed down through generations about the lives of tenants weaved in with historical estate records.
The book launch takes place on Thursday evening, October 26 in the Baronial Hall, Lough Rynn Castle at 7pm with a book signing at Trinity Rare Books, Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday morning, October 27 from 11am-12.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to the launch, especially locals and those with an interest in local history.
'By hereditary virtues, the history of Lough Rynn,' the 204 pages of local history and stories, is available to buy in Trinity Rare Books, Carrick-on-Shannon, in Paul Greenan's, Mohill, on the website www.loughrynn.net and will also be available to buy at the launch in Lough Rynn Castle.
