Cló Staire Chiarraí has announced that the History of the Parishes of Rathmore, Gneeveguilla and Knocknagree written by Fr William Ferris in the mid 1920s is finally to be published after 100 years.

After three years work on the original manuscript by editor Brendan McCarthy, the book will finally see the light of day in Spring 2024.

Second in the series of Fr Ferris’s Parish Histories, the History of the Parishes of Rathmore, Gneeveguilla and Knocknagree is a unique record of the rich history, culture and heritage of the Sliabh Luachra/Duhallow area.
Much of this material was collected by Fr Ferris from parishioners in the course of station masses in the parishes and as such is no dry academic chronicle. It is history as lived and recounted by the ordinary people of Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow and their authentic voices come through clearly.

In addition, in the Introduction to the book, the Editor provides a biographical portrait of Fr Ferris who was a fascinating individual in his own right.

“If you come from these parishes or if any of your forebears came from this area, then it is likely that your family features in this book. You may discover where they lived, where they went to school, who their teachers were, who their landlord or middleman was, how they were affected by the Famine, whether they were evicted, whether they were involved in the Land War, “ said editor McCarthy.

With a limited print-run, this fully-indexed book is destined to be a collector’s item.