Author - John B. Cunningham

This book is intended to deal with the history of Pettigo and its people from the earliest times down to the recent past. It builds on the works of the renowned historian Fr. Paddy Gallagher in his book "The Parish of Carn", and Robert Reid's "Pettigo", plus a series of articles on Pettigo history in the Impartial Reporter newspaper in 1921 by Robert Reid and Thomas A. Aiken. Additional research has been carried out in the National Archives in Dublin among the Leslie Papers. Since I have already written on the history of Lough Derg - which has a small library of works devoted to it; I will mention it in passing only.

The Clan McGrath has had a major influence on the area for a period of c300 years until the early 17th century so a major part of the book is devoted to it with an important section being the two royal pardons granted to Bishop Miler McGrath's followers by Queen Elizabeth 1.

The arrival of the Ulster Plantation in the early 17th century brough an end to the old Gaelic society in the area and hearalded the arrival of Scots, English and Scottish Borderers to settle in and around Pettigo. The leslie Family who acquired control of the estate were to dominate for the next 300 years. All these too have made a lasting impact on the locality.

For the past two hundred years, and more, emigration had been one of the dominant factors in the Pettigo area and so it merits a major section. Many of these and their descendants have achieved high positions, from poets to politicians in the United States, Canada, Australia etc.

A chronology of Pettigo is provided which has been culled from the newspapers of the last two hundred years. Pettigo has a lot to be proud of in terms of its people, scenery and antiquities.

This book has been sponsored by Brendan McGrath, a Dublin businessman today, but whose ancestors came from the Lettercrann area. He was elected Chieftain of the Clan McGrath at the first ever gathering in July 1996. Without him this book would not have been possible. Since then clan gatherings have been held in Ring, County Waterford and in Ennis, County Clare. This book was launched at the fourth McGrath clan gathering, held June 21-23rd, 2002.

Quote from the Irish Times in its review of the journal of the Galway Historical Society - "Even if history were judged incapable of other uses, its entertainment value would remain in its favour."

The book has 112 A4 pages, 46 photographs and three maps and sketches. All five local graveyards are included in the book 27 pages in all. Available for £15 GBP plus £3 P&P. This book is out of print but will be available shortly as a CD. Phone 0044(0)2868658327 Email adam4eves@aol.com