Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society
Parke & Turlough History Book Publication
By Michael Maguire
7, Sep 2011 - 13:37

This is a once off limited edition publication where nearly 30% of 800 books have already been sold as part of the pre-order process. The publication covers cultural, sporting, historical and traditional aspects of community life over the last 100 years. With over 100 short stories and many hundreds of family and parochial event photographs, this is a must have publication for every household not just locally but throughout Mayo and beyond. What a wonderful Christmas Gift idea for friends and relatives who live abroad.

Parke & Turlough have indeed a wonderful history boasting of course of Turlough House - now the Museum of Country Life and formerly the home of the Fitzgeralds. Anyone interested in historical events will certainly find plenty to engage their attention amongst to 250+ pages. Part of the attraction of the book will be the personal memories with many touching and often humorous accounts of times, characters and events past and present which will no doubt raise a smile of recognition for the avid reader.

There are also excellent articles on their landscape & archaeology clearly showing the quality and the extent of research that has gone into this publication. The committee clearly have left no stone unturned in endeavouring to have as many families and individuals as possible in the area of Parke and Turlough and beyond represented in this book through photographs and the written word. The book Foreword has been written by our Taoiseach, Enda Kenny whose ancestors emanate from Parke & Crimlin.

Launch Date: The launch will be on 5th November 2011 in Parke Community Centre at 8.30pm. Master of Ceremonies on the evening will be Dr Sean Rowley. Our Taoiseach has accepted an invitation to attend and will also include approximately 30 other specifically invited guests and all of our parishoners. The Launch will be preceded by concelebrated Mass in Parke RC Church at 7:30 pm - the Bishop of Tuam has been asked to be the Chief Celebrant. Wine and buffet food will be available at this event.

The book will be available in hard and soft copy and can be purchased from 6th November onwards (and on the evening of the Launch)through all usual local outlets including Turlough Stores, Ross Stores, Ballyvary, Castle Street Bookshop, Easons, McLoughlins and Lyons Late & Early in Castlebar.

The book can also be ordered by email for postage within Ireland and abroad at the following address michelleflynn1@eircom.net

Make sure that you get your order in early to avoid disappointment. All proceeds from this publication are re-invested in local initiatives in the community.