Posted by Murisk on June 13, 2001 at 17:11:42:
Around thid time in 1973 Gardaí seized drugs in raids in Old Head/Louisburgh. Some of the 'villans' were American students who were studying Irish culture through the Overseas Study Centre of Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michagan. The Overseas Study Centre was established by Gertrude Horgan a Professor of English at Aquinas College. Ms Horgan spent time at Old Head, in 1964-1965, studying Anglo-Irish literature. During her studies she became interested in the stories of James Berry who had been born in 1842 at Bunowen near Louisburgh. His stories had been published in The Mayo News between 1910 and 1913. Unfortunately, these file had been destroyed so Ms. Horgan set out to recollect James Berry's stories. Her book "Tales from the west of Ireland - the stories of James Berry" was first published in 1966. This book became a very popular read in the 1980's.