Ó MÓRÁIN, Pádraig. Annála Beaga Pharáiste Bhuiréis Umhaill. A Short Account of the History of Burrishoole Parish. Illustrated. With a large folding map of the Parish of Burrishoole.

Newport: Tomás Ó Cillín, S.P., 1957. First edition. Crown octavo. pp. [vi], 161, [2]. Printed wrappers with flaps. A very good copy of the rare first edition.
“At a point five miles due north of Westport, the county road crosses the boundary of the ancient kingdom and the present day parish of Burrishoole ... Our guide-book takes us on from here and brings us to Newport, two miles further north: Newport, sometimes called Newport-Pratt, stands at the north-eastern angle of Clew Bay, at the mouth of a small stream called Abha na Daraí Duibhe (Black Oak River, which has its source in Lough Beltra) ... North-west of the town, a fine glen extends through the mountains. Bengorm, 1912 feet high, and Buckagh, somewhat higher, ... Within easy reach of Burrishoole Abbey and of the fortress of Carrigahowley (Rock of the Fleet) ... By the Achill road we reach Mulranny ... West of Carrigahowley lies Tír an Áir, ... Further west is Muirbheach, on whose shore is Ross where, when the world was young, dwelt the good-natured fairies of Umhall. Cushlecka looks on the sea and waits.”
The author, Pádraig Ó Móráin was a unique scholar, in this work he tells many stories: saints and sinners; Richard [Bourke] of Turlough, founder of Burrishoole Abbey; the Mac Williams, De Burgos, Brownes and O’Malleys, including Granuaile, better known as Grace O’Malley; Rev Anthony Caffrey, founder of St Patrick’s Church, Washington and friend of James Hoban, who designed the White House; Fr Manus Sweeney; Cromwell’s soldiers and the martyred Sisters Honoria De Burgo and Honoria Magaen; the O’Donnells and their Cathach, a manuscript written by St Columcille they carried into battle; James Hunter; the Fenians; parochial surnames and placenames, etc.

[Cat 160]