Song inspired by Famine Graveyard highlight of WAHS evening

The final event on the WAHS calendar this year opened with a short preview by Dr John Feehan, who outlined the main contents of the soon to be published book on the river Brosna.

The 400-page tome, replete with original plates and seldom seen maps, is destined to be a best seller throughout the midlands. Dr Feehan has published extensively on the geography, flora, fauna and heritage of the midlands and this new publication will add considerably to our knowledge of an important but little known tributary of the Shannon.

The main business of the evening was in line with the society’s philosophy of supporting local publications, and first was Emper native Sean Byrne’s monograph on social conditions in pre-Famine Westmeath, which was launched by historian Dr Tom Hunt.

Tom detailed the impressive number of Maynooth monographs written by Westmeath based authors, and noted the rigorous scholarship Sean deployed to bring the report of the Poor Law Commission to life in an accessible account of the dire poverty experienced in a relatively rich area.

Sean thanked the society for hosting the event and Moyvore based historian Dr Ciaran McCabe for his advice.

The Westmeath based artist Nuala Gorman launched Seamus O’Brien’s new book on the Famine Graveyard in Robinstown. She spoke about her own deep interest in the Famine, which accounted for her many artistic depictions of the local workhouse and its nearby burial ground.

She was delighted that two of her works featured on the covers of the new publication, and noted that the author had a long standing interest in the topic, going back to his first publication, Famine and Community in Mullingar Poor Law Union in 1999.

The chairman of the Famine Graveyard Committee, Des Walsh, commended Seamus on the publication of his latest book, and pointed out that all the proceeds from the sales will go towards the care of the graveyard.

Mr O’Brien expressed his delight that the renovated site now attracts visitors on a regular basis and that artists in particular were drawn there for inspiration.

The work of three visual artists features in his publication – Nuala Gorman, Mary J McCormack and Lorna Farrell.

The highlight of the evening was a moving rendition by Roisin Gaffney of her hit single The Hungry Cry, which is based on a visit to the graveyard. The author thanked Westmeath County Council for its support throughout the process.

Local businessman Millie Walsh was also singled out for his generous financial backing for the publication.

These new publications are available in Just Books and Millie Walsh’s Maxol garage at the Dublin Bridge.