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Lost History Found: Bundoran book rediscovered after Transatlantic pursuit
'Bundoran, and its Neighbourhood' which chronicles south Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo and Fermanagh has been out of print since 1961
Eddie Keenaghan (right) rediscovered the long lost travel guide last week
Reporter:
Stella Gordon
04 Jul 2024 5:26 PM
Bundoran native Eddie Keenaghan has recently discovered a long-lost history book titled "Bundoran, and its Neighbourhood," written by Rev. Terrence Connolly from Kinlough.
The book dates back to 1895 and chronicles Bundoran and its surrounding towns.
Eddie is the son of John and Jackie Keenaghan from Bundoran. He is a writer, poet, and PhD student who goes by his Irish name Éamon Ó Caoineachán. He has been residing in Texas for just over a decade.
Eddie's search for the book began in 2007 after his grandfather, Dan Keenaghan passed away.
"When my grandfather passed away in 2007, I got into genealogy and history a bit more. So I heard about this lost book of Bundoran, and I was intrigued," Eddie said.
Eddie was unsuccessful in his initial search for the book, and when his grandmother passed away a couple of years ago, Eddie started his search again.
"I thought 'I have got to find this book.' It's not about me, it's about sharing this book back to the people of Bundoran, south Donegal and the people of Leitrim and Sligo," Eddie explained.
Eddie described how he looked through almost 500 photographs from the National Library of Ireland's catalogue when he came across the book.
"I was in disbelief," Eddie said.
Eddie's cousin, Joanne Keenaghan originally from Ballinamore helped him in his search.
"I contacted my cousin, who lives in Dublin and got some eyes on the book.
"In and around that time, I had a couple friends who work for some of the colleges here in Texas and they put me in touch with a couple private collectors."
The book is a work of travel literature, where author Rev. Terrence Connolly shares guides of Bundoran, Kinlough, Ballyshannon, Lough Melvin and Mullaghmore to name a few.
"Essentially every chapter represents a one days' tour from Bundoran into all the other surrounding areas. This would've been the old fashioned form of a tour guide.
"It has illustrations, it has history, notes on antiquities, information for cyclists, anglers, and geologists. Literally, it's a bit of a treasure trove."
Eddie has since made local historians in Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Belleek aware of his findings. He hopes to make the book accessible to all people in Bundoran, south Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo once he has organised all the images.
"I think it's important for people to know where we're going and where we come from. Understanding the past enlightens the present.
"It roots and grounds us to our families, to our heritage, to our ancestry and these are the stories and memories that we can pass onto the next generation.
"I feel very strongly and passionately about how history and a lost book like this can be positive for the community," Eddie enthused.
"Bundoran, and its Neighbourhood," also includes the first modern poem of Bundoran, written by Rev. Dr. Murray.
"I'm a poet, so of course it deeply resonates to see a poem about Tullan Strand and the Fairy Bridges. When I read the poem it made me think of the late musician and historian Marc Geagan from Bundoran."
"I think finding the book, dedicating it to the people, dedicating it to local historians and dedicating the poem to Marc and his family would be important to me."
Bundoran by Rev. Dr. Murray. Courtesy of Éamon Ó Caoineachán and Joanne Keenaghan.
Eddie Keenaghan's discovery of "Bundoran and its Neighbourhood," brings a piece of local history back to life. By sharing this long-lost book with the communities of south Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo, Eddie hopes the memories of previous generations will inspire the present to pass this history on to future generations.
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